Technology Assessments

People of the 21^st century would not accept a doctor who was not up on the latest technology.   Most people today want phones with all the latest technical advancements.  Just as most 21^st century professionals must embrace the changes that come with technology so should teachers.  (Ertmer & Leftwich, 2010).    Professionals of the 21^st century are using different tools to make their jobs more highly efficient.  Teachers must adjust their thinking of what it means to teach 21^st century students to incorporate technology. 

One way to do this is for teacher to assess their knowledge and skills in the area of technology.  One expectation that all teachers should have for themselves is to have basic technology skills.  This will assist teachers in better preparing students to be technologically capable citizens.  This skill is an expectation from NETS-T for educators (ISTE,2008).  One way for teachers to know if they have these needed skills is through assessments.  Assessments will allow teachers to know what areas they are strong and what areas they need further growth.  Teachers should evaluate this information and develop goals for themselves that will ensure that they are equipped to incorporate technology in a way to ensure student success. Teachers should not worry if they are not proficiency in many areas technically.  According to Mary Burns’ (2002) article teachers’ self-assessments of their skills and their classroom practices did not show any statistically significant relationships between proficiency with technology and an increase in learner-centered practices (Studies have shown that a learner –center class environment is best for student achievement)in the classroom.  Teacher should look at these assessments as goals they need to achieve and not measurements of their teaching abilities.

The pros of such assessments are that teachers will learn areas they need to develop.  They will also learn areas they are strong and could offer assistance to others.   The only con I could see in assessing one’s skills is for the teacher to remember that is a growth tool and not to look at the assessment as though he/she is a failure.

Teachers should also assess their students’ technology skills.  This will assist teacher in planning lesson and ensuring that all students are ready for the 21^st century.

Burns, Mary (2002).  From Compliance to Commitment:  Technology as as Catalyst for Communities of Learning.  Phi Delta Kappan, December Issue, 295-300.

Ertmer, Peggy & Ottenbreit-Leftwich (2010). Teacher Technology Change:  How Knowledge, Confidence, Beliefs &Culture Intersect.  Journal of Research and Technology in Education, Vol 42 No 3, pp 255-284.

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National educational technology

standards for teachers (2nd ed.). Eugene, OR: Author.