Technology Standard,

Outcome A

In Technology Standard II, Outcome A teacher candidates will use technology effectively and appropriately to interact electronically.

Technology Indicators

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Needed to Complete the Task

The task for Technology Standard II, Outcome A, will require the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Knowledge of a variety of electronic discussion boards and how to subscribe
• Skill in basic computer use
• Ability to write and reply to an email message
• Ability to post and reply to messages in electronic discussion groups in an acceptable manner

Promise and Practice of Technology

Watch the Promise of Technology video for Maryland Teacher Technology Standard II, as a preparation for this task.

Watch the Practice of Technology video for Maryland Teacher Technology Standard II to see the Standard implemented in classroom practice.

Assessment Task

You will use technology to exchange information and interact electronically to collaborate with peers, parents, colleagues, administrators and/or experts in the field.  The purpose of this exchange and interaction will be to participate in an on-going discussion of classroom issues during a designated timeframe.  Follow the steps outlined below to complete this assessment task.

1)      Familiarize yourself with the Scoring Tool for Evaluating Technology Standard II: Communication, Outcome A that accompanies this assessment task.  Use this tool to guide you when completing this assessment task.

2)      Familiarize yourself with the timeframe provided by your instructor to ensure maximum participation in the online discussion.

3)      Before participating in the electronic discussion you should be familiar with the features and tools associated with the online format that will be used for the discussion.  At a minimum, you should know about log-in and log-out procedures, printing and saving messages, password information, navigation tools, posting and replying to messages and procedures for participating in a “chat.”

4)      Use the online discussion platform identified by your instructor for the online discussion (e.g., Blackboard, electronic learning community (ELC), email).

5)      Participate in the online discussion by responding to the questions posted for the course. To do so, you will need to follow the procedures established to post questions or comments. As an example, the discussion format may be that the discussion begins with your instructor posting a question or issue for discussion. You and your class peers may, at your discretion, interact with appropriate responses within the designated period of time. Follow-up responses and dialogue may be posted for the topic(s). An alternate approach may be for a rotation system to be established among the class where each teacher candidate is responsible for initiating a discussion about a question or particular topic.

6)      During the discussion, an expert in the content area being discussed may be invited to participate in the discussion. It is your responsibility to respond in an acceptable manner to all discussion participants.

7)      Your participation (i.e., quality and quantity of responses) will be monitored and assessed by your instructor.

Evaluation

The Scoring Tool for Evaluating Technology Standard II: Communication, Outcome A will be used to assess the product(s) associated with this task.

Sample Products

A sample product will be available as an example of student performance on this task at www.mttsonline.org/sampleproducts/.

Instructor Notes

Provide students a copy of the scoring tool associated with this task to facilitate their understanding and assist in the development of a quality product(s). You are encouraged to establish an appropriate context and purpose for the teacher candidate.

You will need to familiarize yourself with the Scoring Tool for Evaluating Technology Standard II, Communication, Outcome A.  Use this scoring tool to evaluate and rate the teacher candidates’ electronic interactions associated with this assessment task.

You will need to determine an appropriate timeframe for the online discussion.  To ensure full participation from all teacher candidates, it is recommended the online discussion span several weeks.  The timeframe should give the teacher candidates time to participate and allow you time to evaluate their participation.

You will need to determine the online discussion platform (e.g., email, electronic learning community, Blackboard).  The format for the online discussion will depend upon the extent to which the teacher candidates have access and are adept at using the selected format.

You may want to invite one or more individuals who are considered experts about the relevant topic(s) to participate in the online discussion.

You may choose to complete the scoring tool as a summary of the student’s electronic interactions throughout the period of the assessment, rather than logging each individual interaction.

You will need to determine the questions or issues to be discussed online and the procedures for teacher candidates to participate in the discussion.  For example, you may pose a question (using questions you select, those suggested by the teacher candidates, one or more of the sample questions listed below, etc.) and allow the teacher candidates to participate as they wish in the discussion of the question or topic.  Periodically, you may pose another question or topic and repeat the process.  Below are several sample questions that may be used for the online discussion.  After each question is a suggested expert who could be included to participate and who may provide a different perspective to the discussion.

Sample discussion questions:

·      How can we help students be better consumers of the Internet? (Webmaster of an educational web site)

·      What do you think about “authentic” versus more traditional forms of assessment?  (Assessment person from a district or state level)

·      How will a programmatic portfolio help you?  How would you organize a programmatic portfolio?  (Administrator or human resource person)

·      During the online discussion, how will you ensure that you and your class follow the “rules” of social, ethical and legal use?  (Media specialist, technology coordinator)

·      What reading strategies do you find most helpful with vocabulary development?  (Reading specialist, curriculum coordinator, college faculty who teaches a reading methods course)

Recommended Placement in Teacher Education Program

This task should be completed in the first two years of the teacher candidate’s program of study.  The skills demonstrated here will provide a foundation for the rest of the standards.

Reference

This task and its supporting materials were developed from Maryland’s Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology (PT³), USDOE Catalyst Grant, May 2002. Performance assessment materials are available for each standard on the PT³ website: www.mttsonline.org. Any use of these materials should credit Maryland’s PT³ Catalyst Grant P342A990201. For additional information, please contact Dr. Louise A. Tanney, PT³ Director, 410-767-0416.