:: Curriculum & Technology

Observation Tool

"Technology Integration" is difficult to define, and harder still to quantify. Many people have an idea of what it looks like, and believe they "know it when they see it," but it's difficult to measure in an objective way.

Michael Timms, Senior Research Associate for WestEd, developed a paper and pencil observation tool, based on the ISTE National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) and the National Education Standards for Students (NETS-S). This Technology Observation Tool focuses on elements of a classroom observation that looks at and quantifies how technology is being used in the context of a lesson.

Role of the teacher
Classroom organization (e.g., student grouping)
Teacher uses of technology
Student uses of productivity tools and content software
Student uses of research tools
Purpose of the research tools
Students' level of technical skills
Cognitive level of the student tasks

CTAP Region 3 has taken the original paper-based observation tool and transformed it to an easy-to-use electronic format. An observer can use this electronic form of the tool in much the same way as the original paper-based tool, with the additional bonus of having the post-observation calculations done automatically. The database also incorporates the ability to aggregate individual observations (minus teacher identification information) into reports for whole schools, districts, or larger groups. By aggregating anonymous information from individual observations, it is possible to gather objective data about how technology is being used in classrooms.

The observation tool is currently in the final development, and will be available for use by the fall of 2004. California school district and CTAP personnel should contact CTAP Region 3 for information on obtaining and using the observation tool. Additional information on the research supporting, the development of, and uses of the Technology Information Tool can be found in the following resources.

Dirr, P.J.; Classroom Observation Protocols: Potential Tools for Measuring the Impact of Technology in the Classroom.: ATEC-PP104Tools.pdf
Wetzel, K.; Integration of Technology Observation Instrument.: ASUWObservation.pdf
Wetzel, K.; Technology Integration: Will We Know It When We See It?: Wetzel_Tech_Integration.pdf

Curriculum & Technology