JCW Elementary - Robyn Allphin - NISD

1.     Describe the purposes for and various stages of formative evaluation of technology plan. (Dick & Carey 1990)

The main purpose of formative evaluations is to revise and improve instructional strategies to make it “more effective, efficient, interesting/motivating, usable, and acceptable” (Dick & Carey, 2009).   The phases of formative evaluations include expert review, one-to-one, small group, and field tests.  Usually the phases go in order, “although expert review and one-to-one are often carried out at the same time” (Dick & Carey, 2009).  In the expert and one-to-one evaluations, an expert determines the strengths and weaknesses of the rough draft, or one learner reviews the instruction to provide the evaluator with observations, notes, and questions during and after the instruction.  In a small group, “the evaluator tries out the unfinished instruction with a group of learners and records their performances and comments” (Dick and Carey, 2009).  In a field test, “the evaluator observes the instruction being tried out in a realistic environment with a group of learners” (Dick and Carey, 2009). 

2.     Describe your instruments used in a formative evaluation.

In order to determine instruments to use in a formative evaluation, they should “measure the acquisition of the skills, knowledge, or attitudes you are looking for” (Dick & Carey, 2009).  The instruments used in the formative evaluations included a Google Docs Survey, interviews with the technology department, analysis of STaR chart results, and observations.  I will collect input from the technology department, administrators, teachers, students, and community members.   

3. Collect data according to a formative evaluation plan for a given set of technology plan or instructor presentation.

“Data may describe attitudes, abilities, capabilities, status and characteristics of people, processes, curricula and other soft items, hardware, equipment, budget, finances, and other entities” (Anderson, 1996). 

Technology:

Technology objectives and goal will be assessed through interviews, observations, and survey results of teachers, students, and parents.  I will work with the technology department to determine the feasibility of the results and how we can possibly accomplish the goals.

Funding:

I will interview the administrators, business department, and grant writer to determine the availability of funds and possible methods of gaining additional funds.  In addition a needs analysis and budget analysis will be performed.

Management:

In order to determine the success of certain workshops and professional development opportunities, teachers will receive a survey to express the need and wants of attending training.  Incentives for attending will be considered, and carefully managed by the technology department.  In addition, trainings will be announced via the school Google calendar and certificates will be uploaded and organized on Project Share. 

References:

Anderson, L. (1996). Guidebook for Developing an Effective Instructional Technology Plan (Version 2.0. ed.). Mississippi: Mississippi State University.

Dick, W., Carey, L., & Carey, J. O. (2009). The systematic design of instruction (7th ed.)

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.