I recently had to take a couple technology assessments for a master's program. One was a technology application inventory which is produced by the state of Texas. The questions were yes and no answers, "Do you know what this is or what that is?" The domains covered Foundations of Technology, Information Acquisition, Solving Problems with Technology and the forth was Communication with Technology. I thought the questions covered all aspects of technology in education. I fill fairly comfortable with my knowledge of technology and would enjoy learning more. However this particular inventory shows I do have some... many weaknesses. The Foundation domain covered files types, copyrights, networks, etc. I understand how to save various files and why you save something as a different file. Where I struggle is with network committees and platforms. In the second domain, Information Acquisition, my results were split down the middle - 5 yes and 5 no. I can search for information on the Internet, but I don't know how to check for it's validity. I know what a search engine is, but again I'm not sure what a directory is. So I still have a good amount to learn in this domain. The next domain is Solving Problems. This was my best with 13 yes' and only 5 no's. This domain, to me, is technology I deal with on a daily basis as a teacher. Writing tests, editing documents, using graphics, paint, and integrating various subjects into my lessons. The last domain in the survey is Communication. I thought this would be a strong domain for me. I email daily with parents and colleagues. However, my results were again split down the middle - 6 yes and 6 no. As much as I email, I do not create newsletter, websites or databases for presentations. So according to the state I'm mediocre at best.
The second survey I had to take was SETDA survey. The questions in this survey were formatted with answer choices such as, pick all that apply, a range of 5 choices (agree, strongly agree, etc.) I will have to say many of these answers I have no clue on because, even though the questions are geared to teachers, I don't know what over teachers in other subject do in their classes. I also an not sure of the campus' and district's technology goals. This survey left me more frustrated due to the length (26 pages) and the fact I knew very little about technology in the school where I work.
Hopefully in the course I am taking I will have the opportunity to learn more about technology and understand how to do more as well.
Well, I'm glad somebody else was a little surprised by their outcome too. I knew I wasn't a technology whiz, but I didn't think I was inept either...until I took this test. I've acquired most skills through trial and lots of error, so I missed a lot of the terminology for various skills and applications (since they don't identify themselves as you tap away on the computer). I literally had to goolge terms to figure out if I knew them or not...so, I will be signing up for the next available technology trainings!
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