3.6 Selecting and Evaluating Digital Tools & Resources
Candidates collaborate with teachers and administrators to select and evaluate digital tools and resources for accuracy, suitability, and compatibility with the school technology infrastructure. (PSC 3.6/ISTE 3f)
Artifact: Evaluation of Emerging Technology
Reflection:
In ITEC 7445, Multimedia, I created an Evaluation of an Emerging Technology. I researched and evaluated Quizlet Teacher as an emerging technology, described the emerging technology and its general purpose. I used the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) vision for technology to show how the two aligned. The evaluation discussed all aspects of adopting the resource. The evaluation was done using PowerPoint. Teacher surveys were used to gather information to identify Quizlet Teacher as the selected emerging technology, but I had no other help in the evaluation's creation.
This artifact shows my ability to collaborate with teachers and administrators. Before the evaluation, I spoke with multiple teachers about what type of resources the teachers wanted. Many teachers expressed frustration over the free version of Quizlet changing. Quizlet started to limit teacher tools that teachers used before the change. I used the data gathered to select and evaluate Quizlet Teacher.
I collaborated with administrators and the academic facilitator. I set up a meeting with the admin over Title 1 and the Academic Facilitator (AF). I presented the evaluation and showed how Quizlet Teacher meets the criteria for accuracy, suitability, and compatibility with the CCSD infrastructure and vision for technology. The evaluation also contained teacher reviews from my initial research. Together we submitted a request from technology to review. Unfortunately, the county denied the ability to purchase as a school but did allow for individual purchasing by teachers.
The evaluation was a great project to put me in the place of a technology leader. A project like this happens in the technology department as they research new and better technologies to use. The challenging part I found with researching new emerging technology for Teasley Middle School was since Teasley is 1-1 we have many things already. Many of the emerging technologies I looked at Teasley had something with similar benefits, or the county had put the technology on the do not use list. It would be hard to convince a principal or board to adopt something that costs thousands of dollars with little benefit, especially with the budgets being cut from the effects of Covid-19 on the economy at the same time I evaluated Quizlet Teacher.
I chose Quizlet Teacher because the price was lower for a school, and if not approved, a teacher could decide to get the individual account for a low cost. If given the opportunity again, I would survey the teachers for more information on the tools used in the class and why. I can compare the tools used across multiple platforms and find solutions that could replace numerous programs and save the school money. I would also survey the students. Knowing the students' likes could help me find an engaging tool that I would know students would migrate towards.
When we received the denial, I worked with my AF to create a short presentation sent to teachers with the Tech Tips email. The presentation was made using the same evaluation but with parts removed about a school-wide adoption. Some teachers did decide to purchase Quizlet Teacher individually and are using it. The teachers have stated that the impact has been beneficial for their students to acquire vocabulary and concepts.
In ITEC 7445, Multimedia, I created an Evaluation of an Emerging Technology. I researched and evaluated Quizlet Teacher as an emerging technology, described the emerging technology and its general purpose. I used the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) vision for technology to show how the two aligned. The evaluation discussed all aspects of adopting the resource. The evaluation was done using PowerPoint. Teacher surveys were used to gather information to identify Quizlet Teacher as the selected emerging technology, but I had no other help in the evaluation's creation.
This artifact shows my ability to collaborate with teachers and administrators. Before the evaluation, I spoke with multiple teachers about what type of resources the teachers wanted. Many teachers expressed frustration over the free version of Quizlet changing. Quizlet started to limit teacher tools that teachers used before the change. I used the data gathered to select and evaluate Quizlet Teacher.
I collaborated with administrators and the academic facilitator. I set up a meeting with the admin over Title 1 and the Academic Facilitator (AF). I presented the evaluation and showed how Quizlet Teacher meets the criteria for accuracy, suitability, and compatibility with the CCSD infrastructure and vision for technology. The evaluation also contained teacher reviews from my initial research. Together we submitted a request from technology to review. Unfortunately, the county denied the ability to purchase as a school but did allow for individual purchasing by teachers.
The evaluation was a great project to put me in the place of a technology leader. A project like this happens in the technology department as they research new and better technologies to use. The challenging part I found with researching new emerging technology for Teasley Middle School was since Teasley is 1-1 we have many things already. Many of the emerging technologies I looked at Teasley had something with similar benefits, or the county had put the technology on the do not use list. It would be hard to convince a principal or board to adopt something that costs thousands of dollars with little benefit, especially with the budgets being cut from the effects of Covid-19 on the economy at the same time I evaluated Quizlet Teacher.
I chose Quizlet Teacher because the price was lower for a school, and if not approved, a teacher could decide to get the individual account for a low cost. If given the opportunity again, I would survey the teachers for more information on the tools used in the class and why. I can compare the tools used across multiple platforms and find solutions that could replace numerous programs and save the school money. I would also survey the students. Knowing the students' likes could help me find an engaging tool that I would know students would migrate towards.
When we received the denial, I worked with my AF to create a short presentation sent to teachers with the Tech Tips email. The presentation was made using the same evaluation but with parts removed about a school-wide adoption. Some teachers did decide to purchase Quizlet Teacher individually and are using it. The teachers have stated that the impact has been beneficial for their students to acquire vocabulary and concepts.