Testing Kids' IT Skills

Dee Arsmith writes "Computer literate kids entering our local high school (form 4 = grade 8) are bored out of their trees by the introductory IT classes they are given. Can Slashdot readers point us to a computer based programme that would allow us to evaluate student skills at the beginning of the year so that the experienced users can be identified and channeled into more advanced courses? Currently the school uses old P100 boxes with W95. (Cybermoles are currently fighting the Forces of Darkness to introduce Linux into the school - but that is another story!) Grateful for any guidance"

just for starters...

[jeffy124]

just to start out with, try giving students that think they skip the intro course the equivalent a final exam for that course. if they're good enough to skip over it, they should be able to handle it with a breeze.

Or, try offering up an accellerated version of the course to keep the kids bored at first, but challenged later.