ICILS is the first study in the world to assess the computer and information literacy (CIL) among the 8th grade students. The study goal is to assess the level of students’ IT competencies, which will allow us to answer the questions: how school education contributes to the formation of students’ IT competencies and what factors affect the development of children’s IT skills.
The ICILS study is conducted entirely in computer format. The study assesses the level of students’ understanding of the computer usage principles, collecting information, creating an information product and digital communication. ICILS tasks are designed around five topics, each of which addresses a different aspect in academic, social, or environmental context. All tasks are focused on real-life situations and are grouped into topics from science (board games), social or environment (breathing, recycling), and the student’s social life (music group, school trip).
The main participants of ICILS are 8th grade students, provided that they are 13,5-14,5 years old. In some countries where the average age of eighth graders is less than 13,5
the target group is 9th grade. In Kazakhstan, the indicated age category is 8th grade students. In addition, as part of the study, teachers, and school principals, as well as ICT coordinators from educational organizations are surveyed.
ICILS results provide countries with access to a wide range of data to measure the CIL skill level, to understand how school environment and teaching affects the student CIL level, and to identify the key factors that contribute to or hinder the development of these skills.