Farmer: Selecting Instructional Technologies
| Aspect 1: The Syntax | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Goals | Target Technologies or Desired Tool Functions | Potential Constraints | Decisions |
| Participant Goals: 1. Understand the purpose of the Kurweil Educational System and various instructional implications of its use |
Kurzweil Educational System Target needs of special education students who are struggling readers |
Software pushed across network-some workstations may be missed Many struggling readers are not classified as sp. ed. |
Match - communicate names of missed computers for individual push; additional licenses will be considered if need for more student access demonstrated |
| 2. Learn to open and use Kurzweil to read text from a variety of sources. | Open networked software Use menu bar Use reading tool bar Open files saved to local drive, networked drive, Internet |
Teachers new to the district have less experience accessing networked resources and using technology in general | Match - training provided at beginning of year since required to use computers daily to access email, gradebook, attendance |
| 3. Learn to change a variety of settings to individualize the program for specific students | Access settings dialog box |
Need basic navigation/computer skills | Match - Teachers all have basic navigation/computer skills since required to use networked gradebook/attendance software |
| 4. Learn to use electronic notes within the Kurzweil program to communicate with students. | Create electronic notes Move notes Read notes |
Need for basic use of mouse and tool bars | Match - Required to use computers daily to access email, gradebook, attendance |
5. Understand how students will access and utilize the Kurzweil system. |
Individual student logon Checkout headphones Accessing appropriate files |
Use of individual logons and access of network resources | Match - Teachers use individual logons and access network resources daily |
| Teacher Goals: (for myself as instructor) 6. Develop effective training materials. |
Accessing Kurzweil Use MSWord for basic step sheet Use of SnagIt for screen captures |
Access only from network in district-not available to work from home | Match - have access to building before and after regular work day |
| 7. Learn to utilize Kurzweil effectively to be able to address participate questions and concerns. | Access to Kurzweil Explore various features |
Access only from network in district-not available to work from home | Match - have access to building before and after regular work day |
| 8. Utilize effective staff development strategies which address the needs of adult learners. | Ensure that Kurzweil installed in labs to facilitate access | Dependent on system administrator to push software | Match - Ex. Director for Tech has made Kurzweil a priority item |
| 9. Effectively facilitate communication between departments. (Sp. Ed. and Technology) | Email Test software and communicate problems appropriately |
Time to test software in various locations; response time to problems |
Match - time before and after regular work day; Ex. Director for Tech has made Kurzweil a priority item for technical support |
| 10. Utilize effective coaching and mentoring skills. | Model use of technology Kurzweil, stored files on network |
Availability of team labs and network storage space | Match - team labs available for training during most team planning times; network storage space already available |
| Aspect 2: The social system Describe the interpersonal structure of the instructional experience. | Use technology to collaborate: email, shared networked drives, etc. | Network resources for email, network software, network storage are stable and available | Match - Ex. Director for Tech has made Kurzweil a priority item |
| Aspect 3: The role of the instructor Describe your general instructional role. For example, will you present material, guide students as they research their own issues, etc? |
Present material Guide participant exploration of available tools Encourage and participate in professional discussion about effective implementation and utilization of Kurzweil system |
Kurweil installed on workstations | Match - Ex. Director for Tech has made Kurzweil a priority item for technical implementation |
| Aspect 4: The support system Describe the types and amount of instructional, technical, and other resource support required for the instruction (e.g., instructional materials, communication capabilities). |
Basic instruction for teachers and students |
Kurweil installed on workstations Response time for system administrator and technicians |
Match - Ex. Director for Tech has made Kurzweil a priority item for technical implementation and support |
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