3.6 Selecting & 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 Technologies Presentation
Reflection:
The “Evaluating Emerging Technologies Presentation” was designed as a requirement for ITEC 7445 Multimedia Design and Web Development. However, many of the slides in this presentation were later used in a professional learning session about Socrative and other online tools that facilitate classroom conversation and collaboration, such as Padlet and Google Docs. The PowerPoint presentation describes Socrative as a proposed technology for teachers to incorporate into their classrooms. Included are several examples for how to use Socrative in the classroom, as well as research that supports its use and suggestions for addressing accessibility, funding, and technical concerns.
The presentation demonstrates my ability to collaborate with teachers and administrators to select and evaluate digital tools and resources. Although I designed the presentation myself, I took into consideration the needs and wishes of teachers and administrators when suggesting ways that Socrative could support classroom instruction. Included are ways that Socrative supports the vision of Henry County School as well as descriptions of how teachers can use Socrative to integrate technology in their classrooms. Likewise, the presentation describes how Socrative supports research-based instructional strategies, including differentiated instruction, immediate feedback, collaboration, and common assessments.
Additionally, the presentation explains how Socrative meets the criteria for accuracy, suitability, and compatibility with my school’s technology infrastructure. Socrative does not require students to use an email address and students do not create individual profiles, so there are no privacy concerns and even elementary and middle school systems can engage with the tool. Many of the schools in my county have implemented a BYOD policy, and Socrative fits neatly with this policy. Students simply need an Internet enabled device to access Socrative; Apple and Android apps are available or students can access it from the Internet. Therefore, the cost for Socrative is extremely low and the current wireless infrastructure should support student use. Socrative provides support on its website and through social media tools, including Facebook and Twitter; also, Socrative Garden is a blog devoted to providing teachers with tips for using Socrative in the classroom or for troubleshooting.
By completing this presentation, I was reminded of the importance of selecting digital tools that are cost effective and simple to integrate. My school still has many teachers who are resistant to technology so it is important to choose tools that are not overly complicated or require extensive professional development to implement. Socrative is simple to use with students and most teachers can learn how to use the program by simply watching a sample lesson. One of the things I would change about the artifact was the original method of sharing. I had originally left the presentation as a PowerPoint file, but because of the size, I was unable to upload it to my professional learning website. I then considered saving it as a pdf file, but this caused me to lose functionality with the YouTube video embedded in the presentation. It was necessary, therefore, to upload the presentation to a slide-sharing site (slideshare.net) in order to link it to my website. I should have uploaded to a slidesharing site to begin and will consider doing so with future presentations.
The Emerging Technology presentation is intended to lead to faculty development by presenting teachers with simple to use technology tools that they can use in their classroom. I especially like that Socrative is a simple web-based tool that is easily accessible by even those teachers who are resistant or hesitant to implement larger scale technology projects. Starting small is a great way to interest these teachers in technology and allow them to see how technology can engage and motivate students, but more importantly, facilitate learning. Socrative supports several research-based instructional strategies and best practices, including common assessment, collaboration, and formative assessment, so it should also have a positive influence on student learning.
The “Evaluating Emerging Technologies Presentation” was designed as a requirement for ITEC 7445 Multimedia Design and Web Development. However, many of the slides in this presentation were later used in a professional learning session about Socrative and other online tools that facilitate classroom conversation and collaboration, such as Padlet and Google Docs. The PowerPoint presentation describes Socrative as a proposed technology for teachers to incorporate into their classrooms. Included are several examples for how to use Socrative in the classroom, as well as research that supports its use and suggestions for addressing accessibility, funding, and technical concerns.
The presentation demonstrates my ability to collaborate with teachers and administrators to select and evaluate digital tools and resources. Although I designed the presentation myself, I took into consideration the needs and wishes of teachers and administrators when suggesting ways that Socrative could support classroom instruction. Included are ways that Socrative supports the vision of Henry County School as well as descriptions of how teachers can use Socrative to integrate technology in their classrooms. Likewise, the presentation describes how Socrative supports research-based instructional strategies, including differentiated instruction, immediate feedback, collaboration, and common assessments.
Additionally, the presentation explains how Socrative meets the criteria for accuracy, suitability, and compatibility with my school’s technology infrastructure. Socrative does not require students to use an email address and students do not create individual profiles, so there are no privacy concerns and even elementary and middle school systems can engage with the tool. Many of the schools in my county have implemented a BYOD policy, and Socrative fits neatly with this policy. Students simply need an Internet enabled device to access Socrative; Apple and Android apps are available or students can access it from the Internet. Therefore, the cost for Socrative is extremely low and the current wireless infrastructure should support student use. Socrative provides support on its website and through social media tools, including Facebook and Twitter; also, Socrative Garden is a blog devoted to providing teachers with tips for using Socrative in the classroom or for troubleshooting.
By completing this presentation, I was reminded of the importance of selecting digital tools that are cost effective and simple to integrate. My school still has many teachers who are resistant to technology so it is important to choose tools that are not overly complicated or require extensive professional development to implement. Socrative is simple to use with students and most teachers can learn how to use the program by simply watching a sample lesson. One of the things I would change about the artifact was the original method of sharing. I had originally left the presentation as a PowerPoint file, but because of the size, I was unable to upload it to my professional learning website. I then considered saving it as a pdf file, but this caused me to lose functionality with the YouTube video embedded in the presentation. It was necessary, therefore, to upload the presentation to a slide-sharing site (slideshare.net) in order to link it to my website. I should have uploaded to a slidesharing site to begin and will consider doing so with future presentations.
The Emerging Technology presentation is intended to lead to faculty development by presenting teachers with simple to use technology tools that they can use in their classroom. I especially like that Socrative is a simple web-based tool that is easily accessible by even those teachers who are resistant or hesitant to implement larger scale technology projects. Starting small is a great way to interest these teachers in technology and allow them to see how technology can engage and motivate students, but more importantly, facilitate learning. Socrative supports several research-based instructional strategies and best practices, including common assessment, collaboration, and formative assessment, so it should also have a positive influence on student learning.