ET5083 Module 4 Application

Technology Mini-Manual and Job Aid

McKenzie Otto American College of Education September 17th, 2023

Index

Introduction

Instructional Technology

Professional Development for Technology

Technology Commitee

Reflection

References

INtroduction

This mini manual will serve as a guide to implementing instructional technology and planning within the classroom. This manual will help technology leaders understand how to implement instructions technology and use planning techniques effectively. The guide also will cover instructional professional development and how to pick and guide an effective technology committee. The guide will follow best practices.

Advantages of Instructional Technology

• Instructional Technology provides a unique experience for each student.
• When using instructional technology within the classroom educators have the opportunity to provide individualized instruction for each student (GCU, 2023).
• Technology in the classroom provides increased engagement in students.

Disadvantages of Instructional Technology

• While there are many benefits to instructional technology there are also disadvantages.
• A disadvantage to this technology is increased student distraction and nonequitable learning conditions.
• Also, a disadvantage is technology issues such as network issues and hardware malfunctions.

A unique look at educational technology and the benefits but also disadvantages that it shows in the classroom.

Students: 1 to 1 with Chromebooks

Types of Instructional Technology

Teachers: 1 to 1 with Chromebooks and Desktop Computers

Skyward technology management system - used for student and employee records and grade book

Interactive whiteboards in every classroom from Newline

Clever - login system used as a one stop shop for logging into district applications.www.clever.com

MyPath learning system for individualized technology instruction

Making Decisions about technology in the classroom

Consider technology training for not only educators but also students to create equity among all students.

Evaluate current technology to make cost-effective decisions when upgrading or planning for technology integration.

Discuss organization goals with major stakeholders to create an intentional plan for integration.

Give needs assessments often to get updated information about needs from the organization and its stakeholders.

Professional development

Instructional Technology Training

Application Training

Cybersecurity Training

Both educators and students need to be aware of safety and security while using online devices. Staff need to be trained on how to keep themselves safe and how to keep students safe. Basic tips include checking for malicious activity and using filtering software while online.

There are multiple apps that are used daily within the school district in the classroom. Each of these applications have how-to documents that will help with implementing them. Each how-to document is interactive and can help with basic troubleshooting.

Educators can watch this video to help with the implementation of technology into the classroom. It is important to make age appropriate decisions within the classroom when integrating technology.

Creating a technology committee

A successful technology committee is created based on multiple considerations.

• The first step to creating a successful committee is conducting a needs assessment to find the needs of the organization.
• The next step is to find stakeholders within the organization that can work together to establish clear goals from the needs assessment (American College of Education, 2023).
• The committee needs to have skills and knowledge that is aligned with the established goals to work together to accomplish them.
• The committee may need to create or revamp a technology plan for the organization.

Reflection

The mini-manual/job aid reflects the value I have of technology by outlining the importance of the successful implementation of technology in classrooms. I feel it is important for all classrooms to use technology in a way that will make students more successful. While creating this mini-manual I used many technology leadership skills. The first skills are problem-solving and critical thinking. I used these skills to create tips for implementing technology and creating a technology committee. I also used creativity to create an appealing format for the manual. The guide gives an overview of how to make technology choices. If the guide is followed the organization should have great unity on their technology practices.

References

American College of Education. (2023). ET5073 - Educational Technology Planning: Module 5 [Part 1 presentation]. Canvas. https://ace.instructure.com/courses/1880139/external_tools/118428

Dabbagh, N., & Fake, H. (2017). Tech Select Decision Aide: A Mobile Application to Facilitate Just-In-Time Decision Support for Instructional Designers. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 61(4), 393–403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-016-0152-2

Grand Canyon University. (2023). How using technology in teaching affects classrooms. GCU. https://www.gcu.edu/blog/teaching-school-administration/how-using-technology-teaching-affects-classrooms

Price, J. B., & Lankton, N. (2018). A Framework and Guidelines for Assessing and Developing Board-Level Information Technology Committee Charters. Journal of Information Systems, 32(1), 109–129. https://doi.org/10.2308/isys-51674