An Educator's Guide to Evaluating the Use of Technology in Schools and Classrooms.

This guide is designed to help educators and administrators evaluate educational technology programs. Primarily geared to educators or administrators with little or no research experience, it is intended for use at the district or school level. As more and more states, districts, and schools develop technology plans to ensure that technology will be used effectively to benefit student learning and achievement, the need to understand technology's impact on improving student achievement will become even greater. This guide is organized in sections by typical questions one might ask in going through the evaluation process. Within each section, tips and "tricks of the trade" are provided along with worksheets and ideas for additional resources. The following questions are addressed: "Why am I evaluating?"; "What is an evaluation anyway?"; "Where do I start?"; "What questions should I ask?"; "What information do I need to collect?"; "What's the best way to collect my information?"; "What are my conclusions?"; "How do I communicate my results?"; and "Where do I go from here?" Appendices include additional sources, worksheets, and examples of technology surveys. (AEF) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** An Edueatot's Guide to Evaluating the lige of Technology in ehoolg and CIasgtoomg BEST COPY AVAILABLE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educagonal Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) CI This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. CI Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quaffty. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Research and Improvement AN EDUCATOR'S GUIDE TO EVALUATING THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN SCHOOLS AND CLASSROOMS Sherri Quifiones and Rita Kirshstein American Institutes for Research Nancy Loy, Project Officer Office of Reform Assistance and Dissemination U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Research and Improvement