Evaluation+and+Modification+Strategies

As with any initiative that is implemented; an evaluation has to be done to see if the initiative is achieving the desired results or not. Because this is a software upgrade it may be hard at first to determine if this upgrade has the desired effects or meets the expectations of our department, school or district; but there are a few things that we can do.
 * Evaluation and Modification Strategies **

One way to determine if our technology initiative is working and having positive results is through enrollment. Earlier I mentioned that if the upgrade was approved that we would have two classes that would go from ½ year long classes to full year long classes. We surveyed students and used the results of that survey as the basis of our initiative to upgrade software and make the course length change. We will want to take a look at our enrollment numbers to see if they have increased or decreased due to our new course offerings. Obviously if our numbers have gone up then we know that we have met our need for the upgrade.

Another form of evaluation is to be able to let key members of the school, district and community that we are indeed putting this technology software upgrade to good use. We want to prove that it is being used in the classroom. Because two classes will solely be based on this software; lesson plans will be available for review as evidence. Old lesson plans from the previous course structure will also be available so that a comparison can be made. We would like to perhaps video tape the students using the software in the classroom as evidence of use and student engagement/participation. There will definitely be more technology skills being used and learned with the upgraded software than with the current software and class structure.

Finally we would like use student achievement as a method of evaluation that our technology initiative has met our expectations. We will examine students’ work they are producing. We will be looking for an understanding of concepts, maximizing the use of the software tools through their work, whether it is a website or a print design. Student grades will also be a factor in measuring student achievement. Due to the upgrade we are now in a position to offer certifications for Adobe software. Students would be tested on the software programs and if they receive the desired score they will be awarded a certificate that they are certified in that particular Adobe software. These certifications are hard to get and they challenge students but it is worth it in the end and all their hard work has paid off. Having these certifications will also give our students a better edge in job opportunities and job placement. So we can offer numbers to state how many students we placed in jobs based on their knowledge of the software and how certifications were awarded.

It is fair to say that if we feel as though we are not meeting the expectations that we initially set forth with this technology initiative that we would definitely make modifications where needed to achieve our overall goals.