Completing the TCA

With the TCA available through STAR-Online, students are not required to come into a designated lab to complete the tests during a specific time period.

You can complete the assessment from any computer that is connected to the Internet when it is convenient for you.

Accessing the TCA Online

Once you are registered, you will be enrolled in the current session of the TCA on STAR-Online.

You will need to log in to STAR-Online (http://star-online.howtomaster.com) using your WIU Ecom user name as the User ID and generic, default password given to you at registration.

Website: Completing the TCA
Download: Completing the TCA.pdf

Completing the Courses

Each course includes interactive lessons and tests. Expect to spend between 3-8 hours to complete each course. You will complete five courses:

  • Internet and Computer Safety, Privacy, and Protection
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Within each Microsoft Office program (Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word), you have the option of completing the assessment using either Microsoft Office 2003 or Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows or Office 2008 for Mac. Since Microsoft does not make an Access program for Mac, Mac users will need to use one of the Windows courses to meet this requirement. You only need to complete ONE version of each course listed above. (Example, Word 2008, Excel 2008, PowerPoint 2008)

To satisfy the Internet and Computer Safety, Privacy, and Protection and Microsoft Access requirements:

  • You will take all lessons in the prescribed order and must pass the test that follows the lessons with a score of at least 80%.
  • You can revisit the lessons and take the test until you receive the required score.

To satisfy the Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word requirements:

  • You will participate in a prescriptive course which begins with a pre-test to determine your current knowledge.
  • You will only take the lessons for the questions missed in the pre-test.
  • Once lessons are completed, you must pass a post-test with a score of at least 80%.
  • You can revisit the lessons and take the post-test until you receive the required score.
  • You must also apply what they learned in the Excel, PowerPoint, and Word courses by submitting a unique artifact/product based on a minimum list of criteria shared in the Application of Skills component of the course.

The Application of Skills is a meets requirements/does not meet requirement assessment. If an artifact does not meet all the requirements, it will be sent back to you through STAR-Online and comments will be provided directing you as to what needs corrected. You will re-submit the artifact for evaluation after making the needed changes.

For more details on using STAR-Online to complete the TCA, please view and/or download the Completing the TCA handout provided to you when you registered for the assessment.

Due Dates

During each session, you will be required to meet due dates in order to complete the TCA within the designated time frame. A paper copy of the due dates will given to you when you enroll in the TCA. Designated due dates for each session are also available in the FY10 TCA Schedule.

Notifcation of Completing All TCA Requirements

Once you have met the all requirements for each of the five courses, you will receive an email notifying you of your achievement. Advisors have access to a database that is updated consistently, listing student progression and completion of all the requirements of the Technology Competency Assessment.

If you do not complete the TCA during the section you are enrolled in, you will need to pay another fee of $25.00 to activate your enrollment in the next TCA section on STAR-Online. You will continue where you left off in the previous TCA section.

Questions and Comments

If you have questions or comments regarding the Technology Competency Assessment, contact the Office for Partnerships, Professional Development, and Technology by visiting Horrabin Hall 111 on the Macomb campus, by phoning 309/298-2444, or by emailing Debbie Danner at de-danner@wiu.edu or Ledith Whitehall at la-whitehall@wiu.edu