Evaluating 1:1 Initiatives and Other Technology Programs

1. Evaluating 1:1 Initiatives and Other Technology Programs The MassCUE Evaluators Program

2. Sun Associates • Program evaluators • State and local initiatives • www.sun-associates.com/masscue • Our take on evaluation • Evaluation is a part of a strategic approach to project planning and implementation • Links vision to goals to actions to measures

3. Schematic View of the Project Evaluation Process • Evaluation allows projects to articulate the value of their initiatives by assessing the goals.

4. MassCUE Evaluators • MassCUE Evaluators • A professional development project that helps districts integrate evaluation within projects: • Clearly articiulategoals • Plan and coordinate activities strategically • Develop performance measures • The majority of the districts currently in the program are focusing on designing evaluations for iPad and 1:1 initatives.

5. Common Threads • Starting vision for a typical initiative: • Integrating iPads • Lots of concern and focus on infrastructure and financial issues • Understanding that teachers will need support and professional development • Awareness of the need to substantiate the investment

6. Sharpening the Focus • Why iPads? • What is it that the project is attempting to accomplish through the use of the devices? • What does this really look like in the classroom? • What exactly is the project offering to teachers for professional development? • These result in more specific and targeted goals

7. Creating Indicators • Indicators are an observable and measurable manifestation of the goals • Teachers are…. • Students are… • The professional development is… • The network is…. • The process of defining indicators drives projects to develop and articulate their outcomes and impacts…as well as what it will take to reach these.

8. To increase student-centered learning… Teachers are: • migrating current materials to a digital format and creating new content via the iPad. • collaborating and building personal learning networks. • structuring lessons and activities so students have the flexibility to utilize various tools to acquire information and demonstrate understanding. • incorporating inquiry-based, student centered teaching strategies Students are: • using technology to develop skills in the 4Cs and deeper understanding of the content/curriculum. • using technology to produce authentic work that reflects the 4 C's. • engaging in real-world experiences and have the ability to creatively solve problems. • engaging in blended learning activities.

9. Gathering Data • The next task is to develop data collection tools and to collect data based on the indicators • Teachers • Students • Parents/Community • Technical

10. Analysis • With data in-hand, the task is to analyze the collected data against the indicators • The indicators serve as performance benchmarks • Findings provide the answer to the basic question of • Is the project accomplishing what it set out to do? • In sum, this is what the evaluation addresses.

11. Other Benefits of the Process • The evaluation provides data that can guide the scaling up of initiatives • What’s working in the pilot? • What needs to be tweaked in the next round of the project implementation?

12. How to Join • The next cohort starts in July • www.masscue.org • www.sun-associates.com/masscue