3.6 Selecting and Evaluating Digital Tools and Resources
Candidates collaborate with teachers and administrators to select and evaluate digital tools and resources for accuracy, suitability, and compatibility with the school technology infrastructure. (PSC 3.6/ISTE 3f)
Artifact
Reflection
The Edheads PowerPoint artifact was a collaborative effort by me and four of my colleagues in the ITEC program. The purpose of the presentation was to evaluate the digital resource Edheads as it serves to activate thinking in the classroom setting. This online educational resource includes web activities and games that promote critical thinking skills. Within the resource, students assume real-life professional roles and simulate science and engineering activities. Although many of the games are math and science based, the activities align with other content and career-readiness standards. Use of Edheads for student engagement and achievement fits within the technology vision of Cobb County Schools. My individual contribution was analyzing the costs and funding sources.
This artifact demonstrates my ability to collaborate with teachers and administrators to select and evaluate digital tools and resources. Collaboration occurred specifically within our ITEC cohort as we selected Edheads because it supports the Cobb County technology vision of empowering students to become digital learners, and teachers and administrators to increase student engagement through use of technology tools. Another reason for the selection of Edheads is that it gives teachers a way to differentiate instruction, and students can learn at their own pace while developing their own ideas. We also collaborated in creating the PowerPoint presentation that supports use of Edheads in the classroom, as we agreed upon the objectives of the presentation and how each person could contribute to the evaluation.
This artifact explains how the digital tool or resource meets the criteria for accuracy, suitability, and compatibility with the school technology infrastructure. The presentation states that Edheads would be a suitable resource for Brumby as our demographics include almost 1000 students with 78% free and reduced lunch. Edheads would give students awareness and opportunities that otherwise could not be afforded. It is compatible with Cobb County technology goals and initiatives involving digital learning environments and engaging learning experiences. Being a STEM certified school, the science and engineering components of Edheads provides accuracy within our school’s learning objectives, including authentic activities and real-world experiences. Use of this resource can help students make connections between education and future careers in STEM.
From completing this artifact, I learned more about Cobb County’s vision for technology and how it applies to Brumby’s learning targets and goals. I also learned about the many aspects of selecting and evaluating digital tools and resources, including compatibility with current academic and technology initiatives. To improve the process of creating this artifact, I would use Edheads with students and include demonstration and results within the PowerPoint presentation.
The work that went into creating this artifact impacted student learning by supporting increased student engagement through use of technology. It also impacted student learning by providing a digital learning environment which aligns with Cobb County’s technology vision. School improvement was also impacted in that Edheads supports project- and problem-based learning through use of digital tools. Faculty development can be impacted as teachers can create self-directed, exploratory learning that develops higher order thinking skills through technology use. This impact can be assessed through increased student engagement and performance, evaluated through teacher surveys that analyze participation and student feedback and self-assessment.
The Edheads PowerPoint artifact was a collaborative effort by me and four of my colleagues in the ITEC program. The purpose of the presentation was to evaluate the digital resource Edheads as it serves to activate thinking in the classroom setting. This online educational resource includes web activities and games that promote critical thinking skills. Within the resource, students assume real-life professional roles and simulate science and engineering activities. Although many of the games are math and science based, the activities align with other content and career-readiness standards. Use of Edheads for student engagement and achievement fits within the technology vision of Cobb County Schools. My individual contribution was analyzing the costs and funding sources.
This artifact demonstrates my ability to collaborate with teachers and administrators to select and evaluate digital tools and resources. Collaboration occurred specifically within our ITEC cohort as we selected Edheads because it supports the Cobb County technology vision of empowering students to become digital learners, and teachers and administrators to increase student engagement through use of technology tools. Another reason for the selection of Edheads is that it gives teachers a way to differentiate instruction, and students can learn at their own pace while developing their own ideas. We also collaborated in creating the PowerPoint presentation that supports use of Edheads in the classroom, as we agreed upon the objectives of the presentation and how each person could contribute to the evaluation.
This artifact explains how the digital tool or resource meets the criteria for accuracy, suitability, and compatibility with the school technology infrastructure. The presentation states that Edheads would be a suitable resource for Brumby as our demographics include almost 1000 students with 78% free and reduced lunch. Edheads would give students awareness and opportunities that otherwise could not be afforded. It is compatible with Cobb County technology goals and initiatives involving digital learning environments and engaging learning experiences. Being a STEM certified school, the science and engineering components of Edheads provides accuracy within our school’s learning objectives, including authentic activities and real-world experiences. Use of this resource can help students make connections between education and future careers in STEM.
From completing this artifact, I learned more about Cobb County’s vision for technology and how it applies to Brumby’s learning targets and goals. I also learned about the many aspects of selecting and evaluating digital tools and resources, including compatibility with current academic and technology initiatives. To improve the process of creating this artifact, I would use Edheads with students and include demonstration and results within the PowerPoint presentation.
The work that went into creating this artifact impacted student learning by supporting increased student engagement through use of technology. It also impacted student learning by providing a digital learning environment which aligns with Cobb County’s technology vision. School improvement was also impacted in that Edheads supports project- and problem-based learning through use of digital tools. Faculty development can be impacted as teachers can create self-directed, exploratory learning that develops higher order thinking skills through technology use. This impact can be assessed through increased student engagement and performance, evaluated through teacher surveys that analyze participation and student feedback and self-assessment.