Module 3 Comments and Questions

Everyone,

Excellent analysis of the ISTE-Standards, NBPTS, and WVPTS!  I will be attending the ISTE conference in Atlanta this coming June, and I’m really excited to connect and collaborate with other educators around the world.

Just a reminder from the Course Syllabus:  In this course students will conduct a needs assessment to identify technology needs, assess professional development strategies to select those that will support technology integration in their contexts, examine the affordances and constraints of technology hardware and software to determine cost benefits in order to meet instructional goals or workplace needs, and develop resources to support technology integration (including grant funding).

I used a Google form to create a needs assessment for one particular initiative.   This particular tool made it very easy to share with colleagues and capture an overall picture of our technology needs.  I kept my survey short and to the point with choices. Here is an example of my needs assessment for my colleagues:

Sample Needs Assessment

I did not give the entire needs assessment (from above) to my 5^th grade students; it was modified.

I’m not providing examples to make you feel as if you have to “follow my way”.  I just want you to have an example of a needs assessment administered by a classroom teacher.  A few things to keep in mind: 

•      The needs assessment will not only help you decide on the technology you will integrate; it will serve as a guide to design professional development for your colleagues, and identify what type of grant you would need to meet the technology and professional development initiatives.

Hopefully while planning your technology initiative and grant proposal, you will view this project as an opportunity for authentic implementation in your school or organization.

Marlisa,

  I think your ideas of virtual and self-paced professional development, with some face- to- face meetings is a remarkable plan.  Providing professionals (teachers) with opportunities to learn and share materials in a variety of ways, especially integrating technology as a pathway to learning exudes the concept of teacher leadership and technology integration.  What tool will you choose for a needs assessment survey?   Do you have a group, class, colleagues, etc… that will serve as a group for your needs assessment to help determine your technology initiative and grant proposal?

Adam,

Your connection between ISTE Standard 5 and joining forces to implement a new practice through supported professional development is outstanding. Great idea to group teachers with different abilities and likes/dislikes to maximize support. Ongoing support is vital for success. The differentiated groups highlight collaboration at its best! In terms of your needs assessment, have you given any thought about what  survey tool you will use to help determine your technology initiative and grant proposal?

Michael,

You clearly have a firm understanding of digital etiquette and the importance of modeling ethical responsibilities.  Thank you for using this particular part of the WV Standards - “Teaching Leadership: The Teacher demonstrates leadership by implementing classroom and school initiatives that improve education as well as by making positive changes in policy and practice that affect student learning.”  From this function, it helps to explain to the teacher not only how to make the classroom better, but gives room for the teacher to contribute to the policies that teachers work under.”   Thanks for sharing teaching History with Technology.  I’m going to use the Economics lesson (If you Give a Mouse a Cookie) with one of my early intervention groups!  What tool will you use to collect your needs assessment information?

Walesca,

Great job of concisely capturing the WVPTS. I would thoroughly enjoy being part of your professional development plan, specifically, participating in learning experiences via video conferencing.  What a great plan to move outside of your state and reach out nationally…why reinvent the wheel, when you can almost guarantee someone else is ready to share their professional development experiences.  I also like your choice of using survey monkey to collect and analyze data.  Inviting guest speakers to share ideas during faculty-senate time is a productive use of time.  Do you plan to use survey monkey for your needs assessment?