How Can Schools Ensure That Students Really Benefit From Technology UWI Education Evaluation Centre Dr. Benita Thompson Mrs. Andrea Burnett

WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY? Computers and other electronic technologies Computers and other electronic technologies Enhancement of the teaching-learning environment Enhancement of the teaching-learning environment Facilitating such skills as creativity, problem solving, critical thinking, and cooperative learning Facilitating such skills as creativity, problem solving, critical thinking, and cooperative learning

Benefits of Technology Increases student motivation Increases student motivation Promotes cooperation and collaboration Promotes cooperation and collaboration Encourages persistence in solving problems Encourages persistence in solving problems Encourages varied methods of assessment. Encourages varied methods of assessment. Enables opportunities for more in-depth understanding Enables opportunities for more in-depth understanding Encourages teacher-as-facilitator approaches Encourages teacher-as-facilitator approaches

WAYS AND MEANS Integration of technology Integration of technology Teacher Professional Development Teacher Professional Development Assessment Assessment Principal as Technology Leader Principal as Technology Leader Technology in Administration Technology in Administration

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION Educators must understand how to create and deliver high quality, technology- infused lessons that engage students and improve learning (Mitchem et al. (2003). Educators must understand how to create and deliver high quality, technology- infused lessons that engage students and improve learning (Mitchem et al. (2003). Use of technology to support the teaching-process Use of technology to support the teaching-process Barriers to the use of technology Barriers to the use of technology Unit Planning Unit Planning Project Based learning Project Based learning

TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Traditional Approach The Traditional Approach The Situational Development Approach The Situational Development Approach Technology Coaches Technology Coaches Principles of teacher professional development Principles of teacher professional development - Teacher input into design - Teacher choice - Participant collaboration - Constructivist environment

ASSESSMENT Benefits of Using Technology for Assessment Formative Assessment Online Learning Banks – Thelwall (2000) Online Learning Banks – Thelwall (2000) PsyCal - Buchanan (2000) PsyCal - Buchanan (2000) Integrated Learning Systems (ILS) Integrated Learning Systems (ILS)

ASSESSMENT (contd) The Benefits of Assessing Students use of Technology to Present Tasks Formative assessment Learning opportunities Develop soft and presentation skills Practice using technology

THE PRINCIPAL AS A TECHNOLOGY LEADER Ways in which Principals can Ensure Technology Benefits Students Situational Leadership Distributed Leadership Technology Planning

THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN ADMINISTRATION Data Tools that can be Beneficial to the School Environment Student Information Systems (SIS) Data Warehouses Instructional Management Systems