School Technology Use Evaluation

For this assignment, I performed a survey of the technology use at my school. The Technology Use Maturity Benchmarks had five main categories. It looked at technology use through administrative, curricular, support systems, connectivity, and innovation filters. The results of the survey are shown below. One thing to note, when it says “MS” in a category, that is because I would rate that category different if I were only rating the Middle School classes at our school. The “x” would be if I were rating the school as a whole.

After taking the survey, I then wrote an evaluation of the technology use at our school. That evaluation can be found below.

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From completing this assignment, I learned several things. The only area where our school rated highly was when looking at technology use through the connectivity filter. Our school has a good wireless Internet system in place, and we had very few problems with connection issues last year. That at least sets us up to be able to improve in other areas. It was a little difficult to complete the survey because I was torn between rating what happened last year, and what I think will happen going forward. I ended up focusing mainly on where we are right now, and not assuming what will happen as we move forward. With a new Executive Director who is committed to streamlining committee and fundraising/grant-writing processes at the school, I think that some of the areas would be rated higher if I did the survey again in one year.

This assignment also made clear to me just how much of a hurdle it is to start a new school. Many of the areas where I rated our school low are rated that way just because we do not have systems in place yet. I think that as we move forward with our plans, those things will be an area of focus and will show improvement.

AECT Standards addressed by this assignment:

STANDARD 1 DESIGN Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to design conditions for learning by applying principles of instructional systems design, message design, instructional strategies, and learner characteristics.

1.1 Instructional Systems Design Instructional Systems Design (ISD) is an organized procedure that includes the steps of analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating instruction.

This project demonstrated  this standard by thinking critically about where our school is at in the use of technology in instruction, and how we could improve in this area.

STANDARD 2 DEVELOPMENT Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to develop instructional materials and experiences using print, audiovisual, computer-based, and integrated technologies.

2.3 Computer-Based Technologies Computer-based technologies are ways to produce or deliver materials using microprocessor-based resources.

This assignment used various computer programs to produce and deliver materials to an audience. These included Google Docs, Scribd, Moodle, as well as word processing and spreadsheet software.

STANDARD 3 UTILIZATION Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to use processes and resources for learning by applying principles and theories of media utilization, diffusion, implementation, and policy-making.

3.2 Diffusion of Innovations Diffusion of innovations is the process of communicating through planned strategies for the purpose of gaining adoption.

3.3 Implementation and Institutionalization Implementation is using instructional materials or strategies in real (not simulated) settings. Institutionalization is the continuing, routine use of the instructional innovation in the structure and culture of an organization.

3.4 Policies and Regulations Policies and regulations are the rules and actions of society (or its surrogates) that affect the diffusion and use of Instructional Technology.

This demonstrated the diffusion of innovations strand because it evaluated our current technology plan and helped me think of ways to improve that plan and make it more relevant for our school. It shows thinking about implementation and institutionalization because that is what the plan is focused on, and it included evaluating the current polices and regulations at my school.

STANDARD 4 MANAGEMENT Candidates demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions to plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise instructional technology by applying principles of project, resource, delivery system, and information management.

4.1 Project Management Project management involves planning, monitoring, and controlling instructional design and development projects.

4.2 Resource Management Resource management involves planning, monitoring, and controlling resource support systems and services.

4.3 Delivery System Management Delivery system management involves planning, monitoring and controlling ‘the method by which distribution of instructional materials is organized’ . . . [It is] a combination of medium and method of usage that is employed to present instructional information to a learner.

Evaluating our current technology use plan, or lack thereof, is a part of planning and monitoring development projects and our resource systems.

STANDARD 5 EVALUATION Candidates demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions to evaluate the adequacy of instruction and learning by applying principles of problem analysis, criterion-referenced measurement, formative and summative evaluation, and long-range planning.

5.1 Problem Analysis Problem analysis involves determining the nature and parameters of the problem by using information-gathering and decision-making strategies.

5.2 Criterion-Referenced Measurement Criterion-referenced measurement involves techniques for determining learner mastery of pre-specified content.

5.3 Formative and Summative Evaluation Formative evaluation involves gathering information on adequacy and using this information as a basis for further development. Summative evaluation involves gathering information on adequacy and using this information to make decisions about utilization.

5.4 Long-Range Planning Long-range planning that focuses on the organization as a whole is strategic planning….Long-range is usually defined as a future period of about three to five years or longer. During strategic planning, managers are trying to decide in the present what must be done to ensure organizational success in the future.

I analyzed the problems that our school has in our current uses of technology. I evaluated the current technology use at our school, and in completing this assignment began talking with our Executive Director about our long-range goals for technology use.

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Digital Inequality Assignment

For this assignment, we created a narrated Powerpoint presentation to share using authorSTREAM to share it on the Internet. I learned several things from this assignment. I was able to get more experience using Google Docs, which I haven’t used very much before. Our group was a little slow getting off the ground on this assignment, because none of us had much experience using Google Docs to work together so we had to learn about that before we could work on creating the content for the presentation.

It was also interesting to research about ways that different groups are trying to combat digital inequality. There were some interesting things I learned in that regard, such as how important it is to have early exposure to computers in order to have the best chance of finding them useful to a person.

This project demonstrates knowledge and experience of the following AECT standards:

STANDARD 2 DEVELOPMENT Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to develop instructional materials and experiences using print, audiovisual, computer-based, and integrated technologies.

2.2 Audiovisual Technologies Audiovisual technologies are ways to produce or deliver materials by using mechanical devices or electronic machines to present auditory and visual messages.

2.3 Computer-Based Technologies Computer-based technologies are ways to produce or deliver materials using microprocessor-based resources.

2.4 Integrated Technologies Integrated technologies are ways to produce and deliver materials which encompass several forms of media under the control of a computer.

We created a narrated demonstration that can be found on the Internet, or could be used in a classroom or conference-type situation. The presentation used narration, as well as recording a presentation so it can be watched on its own, without the speaker having to be right there.

STANDARD 3 UTILIZATION Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to use processes and resources for learning by applying principles and theories of media utilization, diffusion, implementation, and policy-making.

3.2 Diffusion of Innovations Diffusion of innovations is the process of communicating through planned strategies for the purpose of gaining adoption.

3.4 Policies and Regulations Policies and regulations are the rules and actions of society (or its surrogates) that affect the diffusion and use of Instructional Technology.

This assignment demonstrates knowledge about the diffusion of innovations since it is focused on how to bring the benefits of technology to everybody, not just those who are lucky enough to be on the positive side of the Digital Inequality continuum. This assignment focused on helping society by focusing on the policies and regulations that could be enacted to help remedy Digital Inequality.

STANDARD 4 MANAGEMENT Candidates demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions to plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise instructional technology by applying principles of project, resource, delivery system, and information management.

4.1 Project Management Project management involves planning, monitoring, and controlling instructional design and development projects.

4.2 Resource Management Resource management involves planning, monitoring, and controlling resource support systems and services.

As a group, we had to work together to get this assignment done. We had to plan roles, communicate effectively with each other, and perform tasks both independently and as a group. The project itself is also related to the management of resources, and how to make access to resources more equitable.

STANDARD 5 EVALUATION Candidates demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions to evaluate the adequacy of instruction and learning by applying principles of problem analysis, criterion-referenced measurement, formative and summative evaluation, and long-range planning.

5.1 Problem Analysis Problem analysis involves determining the nature and parameters of the problem by using information-gathering and decision-making strategies.

5.4 Long-Range Planning Long-range planning that focuses on the organization as a whole is strategic planning….Long-range is usually defined as a future period of about three to five years or longer. During strategic planning, managers are trying to decide in the present what must be done to ensure organizational success in the future.

We researched the problem of digital inequality, and several different ideas for how to remedy this problem. We then ranked those ideas, and decided what  the best options were if a state were to receive money to help combat digital inequality. We had to plan what could be done to help fight digital inequality as we move forward into the next several years.

Horizon Report Tech Trend

This assignment was to read the Horizon Report on technology trends in education, and then create a lesson using a tool or technique we read about.

I created this lesson plan because I know that I will be teaching how to write a persuasive essay this coming year. I like this tool for writing an essay because I am trying to get the idea across to my students that if they write a good outline, then writing the actual paper will become much easier for them to do. I am hoping that using the computer to do the outline will make students a little more motivated to do a good job, and not just view the outline as one more requirement they have to do for their assignment. I like that this tool is able to either print or email the outline directly from the tool, so it is easy for the students to share their work. I have also used ReadWriteThink activities and lesson plans in the past, and find them to be very good.

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This assignment demonstrated proficiency in the following AECT standards:

STANDARD 1 DESIGN: Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to design conditions for learning by applying principles of instructional systems design, message design, instructional strategies, and learner characteristics.

1.1 Instructional Systems Design Instructional Systems Design (ISD) is an organized procedure that includes the steps of analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating instruction.

1.3 Instructional Strategies Instructional strategies are specifications for selecting and sequencing events and activities within a lesson.

This demonstrated knowledge of instructional systems design and instructional strategies by designing an effective lesson plan. For example, the lesson involves scaffolding the instruction so that skills are demonstrated, then per formed in a small group, then performed individually. Since this lesson has not been taught yet, it is specifically an example of the steps of analyzing, designing, and developing instruction.

STANDARD 2 DEVELOPMENT: Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to develop instructional materials and experiences using print, audiovisual, computer-based, and integrated technologies.

2.3 Computer-Based Technologies Computer-based technologies are ways to produce or deliver materials using microprocessor-based resources.

This assignment demonstrates knowledge of computer-based technologies by finding an Internet-based resource that students can use to help organize their work.

STANDARD 3 UTILIZATION: Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to use processes and resources for learning by applying principles and theories of media utilization, diffusion, implementation, and policy-making.

3.1 Media Utilization Media utilization is the systematic use of resources for learning.

3.2 Diffusion of Innovations Diffusion of innovations is the process of communicating through planned strategies for the purpose of gaining adoption.

3.3 Implementation Implementation is using instructional materials or strategies in real (not simulated) settings.

This assignment demonstrates the implementation of technology by using a computer-based program for the main output of students’ work. It shows the skill of media utilization and diffusion of innovations by the use of new technologies in a lesson plan. By using new technologies, I would be able to speed the adoption of those technologies by other teachers by showing them the possibilities and the benefits of using technology in the classroom.

STANDARD 5 EVALUATION: Candidates demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions to evaluate the adequacy of instruction and learning by applying principles of problem analysis, criterion-referenced measurement, formative and summative evaluation, and long-range planning.

5.3 Formative Evaluation Formative evaluation involves gathering information on adequacy and using this information as a basis for further development.

This is an example of formative evaluation because I would use the information gathered from this assignment to ensure that students know how to organize a persuasive essay, and are prepared to move on to writing their essay.

RSS for Education

There are several ways that an RSS feed could be helpful to educators. A teacher can make a feed that provides news links that are appropriate for children. With this feed set up, the teacher can then provide access to his students, and use it as a starting point in talking about current events.

RSS feeds could also be useful in getting students to connect Reading/Language Arts to their own real-world lives. A teacher could set up students with an RSS feed account of their own. Then, students could find feeds to put into their own account. These could be useful for senior project-type assignments. The student would be able to find feeds which are relevant to their own project or interests, and then be able to share the feed with classmates and teachers. One of the most intriguing ideas I have seen for using RSS feeds is to have students perform their writing on a blog. Then, the teacher can set up a feed to receive all the blog postings from the class in a RSS feed, and automatically receive updates when the students do their work.

RSS feeds can also be used in the planning and preparation that a teacher does. There are feeds which correspond to every subject, and a teacher could get ideas for future lessons or units by subscribing to different feeds. Using a reader is a good way to get quick exposure to different ideas, without little investment of time after the initial set-up.

For this assignment, I created a Teaching Resources Bundle of RSS feeds. These feeds are articles or links to articles which can be helpful to teachers. This assignment correlates to the AECT standard of Media Utilization.

Standard 2: Development Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to develop instructional materials and experiences using print, audiovisual, computer-based, and integrated technologies.

2.3 Computer-Based Technologies Computer-based technologies are ways to produce or deliver materials using microprocessor-based resources.

The use of RSS feeds requires the use of a computer for the collection and viewing of the feeds.

Standard 3: Utilization Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to use processes and resources for learning by applying principles and theories of media utilization, diffusion, implementation, and policy-making.

3.1 Media Utilization Media utilization is the systematic use of resources for learning.

This assignment shows that I can use RSS feeds to find media content, and set it up to make research and learning easier. By using an RSS feed to find content and pull it to my account, I am able to systematically bring content to me instead of having to spend extra time searching for information.

3.2 Implementation and Institutionalization Implementation is using instructional materials or strategies in real (not simulated) settings. Institutionalization is the continuing, routine use of the instructional innovation in the structure and culture of an organization.

The use of RSS feeds can be an integral part of a classroom or professional development. The use of RSS feeds will be most beneficial if they are set up as a regular part of the class or teacher’s routine, since they must be checked regularly to work as a data-gathering source.

Standard 4: Management Candidates demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions to plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise instructional technology by applying principles of project, resource, delivery system, and information management.

4.3 Delivery System Management Delivery system management involves planning, monitoring and controlling ‘the method by which distribution of instructional materials is organized’…[It is] a combination of medium and method of usage that is employed to present instructional information to a learner.

4.4 Information Management Information management involves planning, monitoring, and controlling the storage, transfer, or processing of information in order to provide resources for learning.

By providing students with RSS feeds which are relevant to the class, teachers would demonstrate proficiency in the delivery of materials using a different system than the traditional lecture or textbook format. Using RSS feeds in education is also a great way to manage the information that students have, since you can curate the materials the students see through the RSS feed.