Reflection #5 -- Evaluation of Educational Technology

This week, we have been asked to reflect upon the evaluation of educational technology as a current or future classroom teacher. As many of you are very aware, I fall in the latter category and that has hampered my ability to relate, to a certain extent in this class, to the projects and my classmates. However, drawing on my own personal experiences both in the classroom as a learner and in the business world as a professional, I've been able to glean a few nuggets.

First of all, it is clear to me that technology can be a tremendous tool to any facilitator of learning at any level. Technology, when utilized properly allows teachers and learners to fully experience and engage in whatever subject is on the table. It also seems to me that technology can be a tool that allows less experienced teachers to become more successful and our textbook provides some practical ways to obtain and become familiar with available technology on page 394.

Secondly, it is important, when evaluating technology, to ensure that one has vetted it as much as possible. This "vetting" process could begin with getting input from other teachers and/or learners, but should also contain an examination of the directions, documentation/support, ability levels, assessment tools, and technical quality (adapted from the rubric on page 398 of the textbook). If one is utilize technology, then one must be as certain as possible that the technology itself does not interfere with learning and also properly facilitates learning.

Third, technology should be integrated into the curriculum as a whole and should not be the topic of the lessons (unless, of course, one is actually teaching the use of the technology, of course!). Part and parcel of the integration of technology into the curriculum is being able to properly assess both the learning and the effectiveness of the use of the selected technology within the curriculum. Depending on the age/grade level, it appears that technology can also be used as part of the assessment tools, giving the facilitator of learning a much better/clearer understanding of the successfulness of the tools themselves.

Finally, locating and utilizing the resources available to any teacher also seems to be a challenge for some and it has been helpful in this class to develop a list of helpful websites and programs that can be used for various functions within the classroom for my own future use.