DAILY INSIGHT: Surveys and assessments

By Nancy Caramanico, CIO Advisor

Needs Assessments

In bringing the benefits of technology to education and indeed to any organization, needs assessments and surveys are a valuable tool for School CIOs and school leaders. These can work hand in hand with your school plans and technology plans. Both in the planning stages and during implementation, surveys can provide you with valuable feedback which can lead you to the goals you envision. Seeking input and feed back is essential to the success of any initiative. This survey feedback can act as a 'GPS' telling you where you are currently and what you need to do to get to your destination. Your school or district technology plan is your map. Needs assessments and surveys can get you on the right path and keep you there. These assessments can look at both classroom technology and overall technology needs in your school or district. Below are some resources for this purpose.

Topics for Assessment - Consider Survey Topics

Technology Integration
Tech Support and Equipment
Communications
Professional Development
Digital Citizenship
Digital Learning and Skills
Lesson Planning for 21st Century Learning
Emerging Technology, New Ideas

Framework & Assessment Instruments - Below are some existing Surveying Guides and Instruments

P21 - Partnership of 21st Century Skills, MILE Guide - Framework and Tool
NETS - International Society of Technology in Education, National Educational Technology Standards (Administrative, Teacher, Student and
SpeakUp - Project Tomorrow Nationally Conducted. Open to all schools
School 2.0 - Toolkit and Reflection tool via US Department of Education
Tpack - TPACK Survey/Assessment Tool free upon request

Create Your Own - Ways to Customize to Your School/District Needs

TIM - Technology Integration Matrix created by the University of Southern Florida - Matrix which has been a model for other states and schools
Framework - Base it on given frameworks such as ISTE's Nets, P21 or other frameworks
Local Vision - Base it on current school/district vision and other existing plans such as Technology plans

Tools to Use - Sampling of Available Online Tools

Zoomerang - Survey Tool - Free version or get additional features by subscription
Survey Monkey - Survey Tool - Free version or get additional features by subscription
Google Docs - Google Forms - Free. Includes many options. Data imports into spreadsheet format
Loti - Loti Survey - Administrative and Teacher Available

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