Technology Assessments: Pros and Cons

Assessing educators’ technology leadership knowledge and skills is very beneficial to determine the level of professional development needed to ensure that our students are receiving 21^st Century skills instruction. The NetCorps Technology Literacy Self-Assessment, The Multiple Intelligence Inventory, and The Level of Technology Implementation (LoTi) Digital Age Survey, and the campus STaR chart should be used to provide educators and administrators with the information necessary to target specific needs for professional development. This would be cost effective when creating the school district’s technology budget.

The Multiple Intelligence Inventory and the NetCorps Technology Literacy Self-Assessment are beneficial for teachers as they assess the technology strengths and weaknesses of their students. As educators become facilitators and students are in control of their own learning, it is necessary to administer these self-assessments so that students are able to collaborate and mentor one another efficiently and productively. Students are encouraged to explore their strengths and weaknesses by making choices as they complete student-centered lessons and activities.

It has been my experience that several of my students are excellent problem solvers. They enjoy discovering how the program works, and how to use every tool available. The technology coordinator walked in to my class one day with an e-Instruction Mobi slate. I knew nothing about the tool. I had two of my problem solvers experiment with the Mobi during our Enrichment class. They were more than willing to teach their fellow class members how to use the tool for our classroom assignments.

The validity of every assessment is contingent upon the honesty of the person being surveyed. I do not believe that there are any other negative aspects. Professional development will only improve an educator’s knowledge and skills. Knowing a student’s  strengths and weaknesses will only improve my ability to meet their individual and differentiated needs.

Jeanette King

EDLD 5306  ET 8038