This pretty much means people are leaning how to find onther on-line book stores on the net. Other items too, of course.
Americans' Internet Skills Increasing, According to Preliminary Findings Of 1998 MCI Great American Net Test(SM)
PR Newswire - April 29, 1998 17:51
MCIC %TLS %MLM V%PRN P%PRN
WASHINGTON, April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Cyberspace, U.S.A. -- Preliminary
results from Americans taking the 1998 MCI Great American Net Test(SM)
indicate the nation's Internet skills are improving. Since the web site's
launch on March 30, more than 3,600 "MCI Internauts" have completed the on-
line exam, up from 1,700 completed tests at the same time last year. The
scores of both men and women have risen four points in this first 30-day
benchmark. While thousands more Americans are expected to complete the 1998
MCI Great American Net Test(SM) by logging on to www.nettest.mci.com,
following are initial top-line results:
-- The national average is 83.05, up from 78.8 in 1997
-- Men are averaging 82.4 (up from 78.3); women average 83.8 (up from
79.9)
-- California has the most on-line "surfers" taking the test
-- More than 2 million people have logged onto the site
-- 80 percent of test takers think Internet will be around in the year
2100
-- 30 percent of test takers use Internet for entertainment
-- 33 percent of test takers use Internet for learning and research
Examination of the data from the 1997 test results and these benchmark
results have yielded some preliminary findings. The 1998 final results will
be scrutinized for confirmation of these trends.
As one of the world's leading Internet providers, MCI created the MCI
Great American Net Test(SM) (www.nettest.mci.com) to determine how well the
on-line population is utilizing the World Wide Web's technology and who is
most efficient. The test will provide anonymous information on user skill
levels by demographic group, i.e., men vs. women; and children vs. seniors,
etc. The site will be active through July 4, when the nation's Internet
"report card" will be released.
"As we move closer to an electronic society, it is satisfying to see test
scores rising," said Vinton G. Cerf, MCI Senior Vice President of Internet
Architecture and Engineering, considered one of the fathers of the Internet.
"People who take advantage of the 'Net's power and vast resources --
'Internauts' -- will have an advantage in tomorrow's world of business,
education and technology."
The MCI Great American Net Test(SM) consists of five multiple-choice
questions in these fun and educational categories: pop culture, world
geography, science & technology, arts & literature and history. Test takers
use the search engines of the Internet to find the answers. Test scores are
based on the number of correct answers posted and the amount of time it takes
the user to complete the on-line exam. The one-of-a-kind exam is reminiscent
of the popular SAT and GMAT examinations and is endorsed by the Educational
Testing Service's subsidiary, The Chauncey Group International, Ltd., which
reviewed each test question's integrity and is assisting MCI with data
analysis.
"With the growing use of technology in the home and the workplace, it is
important that people know how to use innovative tools, like the Internet,
efficiently and effectively. That's why this effort is so timely and useful,"
said Bob Sharron, Director of Global Corporate Services for The Chauncey Group
International.
Direct search engine links between the MCI Great American Net Test(SM) and
the World Wide Web have been installed to allow "MCI Internauts" to search
without leaving the test's web site and avoid getting lost in cyberspace while
looking for an answer. Other site enhancements include comparative national
results for each test taker and a feedback page for those who complete the
test. In one case, MCI received feedback from a test taker who found
contradictory historic information on two web sites. MCI researched the item
in dispute and replaced a test question that referenced that subject.
MCI webmasters have also included several human interest and demographic
questions that pop up on screen throughout the test. According to the MCI
Great American Net Test(SM), 52 percent of the respondents will work on
improving their Internet skills, and 57 percent of the respondents surf the
Internet in the evenings.
"From the dramatic growth of Internet commerce to on-line learning and
entertainment, MCI is determined to keep America on the cutting edge of
technology," said Tim Price, President of MCI. "On July 4, 1998, this year's
annual results will be released. All Americans are encouraged to log on to
the test to be counted," added Price.
MCI, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a leading provider of local-to-
global communication services to business, government and residential users.
The company's fast-growing portfolio of advanced data, Internet and IT
services now accounts for nearly a quarter of MCI's $19.7 billion in annual
revenue. MCI operates one of the world's largest and most advanced digital
networks, connecting local markets in the U.S. to hundreds of locations
worldwide. MCI has agreed to merge with WorldCom, one of the world's fastest-
growing communications companies. The merger, which is expected to be complete
in mid-1998, will create MCI WorldCom, a company uniquely positioned in the
U.S. local and long distance markets as well as the global data and Internet
markets.
State/Current MCI Great American Net Test Average
Alabama/80.10
Alaska *
Arizona/82.08
Arkansas *
California/85.56
Colorado/78.47
Connecticut *
Delaware *
District of Columbia *
Florida/85.13
Georgia/86.65
Hawaii *
Idaho *
Illinois/84.14
Indiana/78.71
Iowa *
Kansas *
Kentucky *
Louisiana *
Maine *
Maryland/84.20
Massachusetts/85.15
Michigan/90.33
Minnesota *
Mississippi * .
Missouri *
Montana *
Nebraska *
Nevada *
New Hampshire *
New Jersey *
New Mexico *
New York/83.78
North Carolina *
North Dakota *
Ohio/75.07
Oklahoma/85.05
Oregon/86.34
Pennsylvania/85.60
Rhode Island *
South Carolina *
South Dakota *
Tennessee *
Texas/83.30
Utah *
Vermont *
Virginia/78.23
Washington/82.29
West Virginia *
Wisconsin *
Wyoming *
* Insufficient data at this time.
SOURCE MCI Communications Corporation
/CONTACT: Mary Matalobos of MCI, 202-887-2248 or Voice Pager:
1-800-451-8476; or Danielle Mackey of Z Communications, 703-358-0012/
/Webs ite: nettest.mci.com
(MCIC) |
