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: Evaluating Emerging Technology Project
Reflection:
For this experience, I was to discover and share with my faculty a digital tool that would increase student learning in my school. I completed this assignment for ITEC 7445. Before I began my research, I used an online survey to gauge my faculty's needs and desires when it comes to technology implementation in the classroom. Based on their results and my observations, I saw a need to find a digital tool that would help teachers create technology infused lessons without throwing out all of their previous lesson plans. In the past, the teachers have been resistant to implement any technology that resulted in them creating everything from scratch. Therefore, I searched for a tool that would enable teachers to combine their current lesson plans with technology. In my research, I discovered Classflow, which combines presentation, assessment, and student-response tools. The emerging technology presentation was created to introduce my administration and faculty to an available digital tool that would enhance student learning.
I selected Classflow due to its versatility. This site can be used to enhance the delivery of "traditional" lessons or can be used to create differentiated student lessons. It can also be used to foster blended learning, collaborative grouping, assessments, and the sharing of student work. The versatility of this tool enables teachers throughout the school to use it as they see fit to address their individual curriculum standards, which results in more teachers buying into the tool. Additionally, I selected Classflow since it required no additional school resources. Classflow only requires Web-connected devices (i.e. tablets, computers, or smartphones), which our school has available through the computer labs, media center resources, and Bring Your Own Device initiative. Therefore, the implementation of Classflow did not require the purchasing of additional technology, which means we could implement it quickly and cost-effectively.
In the creation of this presentation, I have demonstrated my ability to select and evaluate digital tools. Before selecting the digital tool, I considered our school's needs, abilities, wants, and resources. Based on the current condition at our school, I selected an adaptable, versatile, and suitable tool that would enable teachers and students to meet both the curriculum and ISTE standards.
I found this experience extremely beneficial since it required me to apply my research and knowledge to find a way to improve student learning in my school. It was also beneficial because it provided me the chance to act as an Instructional Technology coach and recommend and assist in the implementation of a new digital tool. The faculty was very receptive of the new tool since I found a tool, based on the feedback from the survey, which would meet the varying needs of the faculty and staff. The positive feedback encouraged me to continue working with our tech team to find other digital tools to help teachers. If I were to complete this assignment again, I would take my presentation to the district. I would recommend this tool for the county to adopt as a county-wide initiative. If I could convince the county to implement this tool, I would bring about a positive increase in student learning district-wide.
As more and more teachers in my school implement Classflow in their classroom, we are seeing an increase in student engagement and performance in these classes. Teachers are reporting positive effects on classroom behavior and test scores. Administrators have observed these teachers using Classflow and have commented are the observable changes. They have been excited about these documented increases and have encouraged more teachers to adopt Classflow, hoping for a school-wide increase in assessment scores.
For this experience, I was to discover and share with my faculty a digital tool that would increase student learning in my school. I completed this assignment for ITEC 7445. Before I began my research, I used an online survey to gauge my faculty's needs and desires when it comes to technology implementation in the classroom. Based on their results and my observations, I saw a need to find a digital tool that would help teachers create technology infused lessons without throwing out all of their previous lesson plans. In the past, the teachers have been resistant to implement any technology that resulted in them creating everything from scratch. Therefore, I searched for a tool that would enable teachers to combine their current lesson plans with technology. In my research, I discovered Classflow, which combines presentation, assessment, and student-response tools. The emerging technology presentation was created to introduce my administration and faculty to an available digital tool that would enhance student learning.
I selected Classflow due to its versatility. This site can be used to enhance the delivery of "traditional" lessons or can be used to create differentiated student lessons. It can also be used to foster blended learning, collaborative grouping, assessments, and the sharing of student work. The versatility of this tool enables teachers throughout the school to use it as they see fit to address their individual curriculum standards, which results in more teachers buying into the tool. Additionally, I selected Classflow since it required no additional school resources. Classflow only requires Web-connected devices (i.e. tablets, computers, or smartphones), which our school has available through the computer labs, media center resources, and Bring Your Own Device initiative. Therefore, the implementation of Classflow did not require the purchasing of additional technology, which means we could implement it quickly and cost-effectively.
In the creation of this presentation, I have demonstrated my ability to select and evaluate digital tools. Before selecting the digital tool, I considered our school's needs, abilities, wants, and resources. Based on the current condition at our school, I selected an adaptable, versatile, and suitable tool that would enable teachers and students to meet both the curriculum and ISTE standards.
I found this experience extremely beneficial since it required me to apply my research and knowledge to find a way to improve student learning in my school. It was also beneficial because it provided me the chance to act as an Instructional Technology coach and recommend and assist in the implementation of a new digital tool. The faculty was very receptive of the new tool since I found a tool, based on the feedback from the survey, which would meet the varying needs of the faculty and staff. The positive feedback encouraged me to continue working with our tech team to find other digital tools to help teachers. If I were to complete this assignment again, I would take my presentation to the district. I would recommend this tool for the county to adopt as a county-wide initiative. If I could convince the county to implement this tool, I would bring about a positive increase in student learning district-wide.
As more and more teachers in my school implement Classflow in their classroom, we are seeing an increase in student engagement and performance in these classes. Teachers are reporting positive effects on classroom behavior and test scores. Administrators have observed these teachers using Classflow and have commented are the observable changes. They have been excited about these documented increases and have encouraged more teachers to adopt Classflow, hoping for a school-wide increase in assessment scores.