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11.133x: Creating a tool for evaluating educational technology

Tool Chest DSC_0557 by El Cajon Yacht Club on Flickr CC BY
Another day, another online learning community.

For EdX 11.133x Implementation and Evaluation of Educational Technology, I was asked to create a tool to use when evaluating technology to use in the classroom. This is something I've thought a lot about and give some suggestions in my presentations. But I've never formally put together a "tool".  I submitted my assignment, but I also wanted to post it here to see what feedback you had. I'm looking at this from a K12 perspective. What else would you include? Where is the line between thorough and oppressive? Do I include data privacy at this level, or should that be later in the process? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Assignment 2.1: Tool for Selecting Educational Technology

I see this tool being used by an Integration Specialist or Technology Coach to create a conversation with a faculty member around a technology they are looking to adopt. I see this as a survey, with the two options on either end of the spectrum. The options would need to change based on the specific needs of the school, but the order would remain consistent.

Technology name:
Learning outcome technology will address:
Class/grade/school to use:

Assessing the environment:
What is the culture?
The school/class is using similar technology already <> There is a reluctance towards using similar technology

What is the current state of infrastructure?
There is a regular schedule for testing and updating WiFi and it is at least once a year <> There is no regular schedule for testing and updating, and it has been more than three years since it was last updated.

What level of support will teachers and students have?
There is staff to help with integration and professional development <> Faculty and students will have to troubleshoot and implement technology on their own

Assessing the need
How will this increase the quality of learning?
Technology will allow students to more deeply engage with the material than previously possible <> The technology will make it easier to grade the tests.

Does the technology facilitate growth outside of content knowledge?
Technology will encourage students to (collaborate, think strategically, create, etc.) in ways not previously possible <> The technology is solely focused on content knowledge.

Does this technology align to the overarching technology/device strategy goals for the school?
Yes, this technology meets the goals of the technology plan by (focusing on lifelong learning, strategic thinking, global awareness, etc). <> The school does not have overarching technology goals/plan.

Assessing the tool:
What is the user experience for the teacher and students?
The UI is simple and similar to other programs we use in class. <> The UI is complex and different based on the device or platform.

Where is the technology located?
The technology is cloud-based and has single sign-on so students are automatically logged in. <> The technology is native to the device the student is using and must constantly be updated or reinstalled with new versions are available.
*Either of these options may be preferred depending on how the school manages their device strategy*

What is the cost?
The technology is free/a one-time cost covered through preapproved funding channels. <> The technology requires a monthly or annual subscription and can vary based on the number of students accessing it.
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