Technology Assessments

In the Technology Applications Inventory, I realized many areas where I did not realize I was lacking. In the Foundations domain I answered twelve questions with a check in the “yes” column and six under the “no”. Within this section, there are many technical terms that I do not know such as cross platform, RAM requirements, various digital file formats, and how to capture files with fewer than 125k. I may be able to figure these things out if I needed, but I have not looked into that. In the Acquisition domain I only did not know the difference between vector graphic files and bit-mapped graphic files. Under the Problem Solving domain I simply had not used linear or non-linear multimedia projects with text, audio, video, and graphics. My weaknesses under the last domain of Communication include matching chart style to the data and creating multimedia presentations. I also had not used procedures to track trends or set timelines.

The SETDA building survey was very eye opening. We are lacking technology and the monitoring of student progress in use of technology as a campus. We are not tracking any data on how technology affects student performance and we are not mandating that teachers use any particular type of technology in the classroom with any minimum frequency. Part of the problem lies within the fact that we are an extremely old school and will be rebuilt within the next five years. The district is unwilling to pour money into technology before we get our new facilities. This will be difficult as we are moving to Career and Technology Academies next year and will not have enough technology to support that change.

I agree with the assessments. It was a great exercise for me because I was able to pinpoint not only my own weaknesses, but our weaknesses as a school and even district.