Springport Public Schools Needs Assessment for Technology

 

This assessment is to determine the staff development needs for Springport Middle School. Within the past year the middle school has gone through a complete renovation including all technology. Aside from the technological infrastructure “including wireless access nodes” each room has been equipped with overhead digital projectors, video / audio cabinets and voice amplification systems. Eleven laptops have been obtained and distributed to those teachers who are more mobile while desktop computers are standard per classroom. New software has also been implemented including Pinnacle Web grade book, Outlook Web Access Overview, Criterion Online Writing Evaluation Service, and Moodle Course Management System.

 

The Middle School houses 18+ teachers, all of which have had considerable experience with computers and updated technology. With the addition of new technologies it has been determined that additional resources are spent on staff development training. This assessment will determine exactly what training will be beneficial to the staff at Springport Middle School. In addition it is expected that the administration and Para-professionals are included in all parts of the assessment and training process.

 

To determine the needs of the staff at Springport Middle School, specific questions must be answered. Out of the available technologies that SPMS houses which, if any do the staff need comprehensive training services? What skill level does the staff already possess with previous technology? What skill level does the staff already possess with new technology? What technologies are used regularly in the classroom and how are they used? What technology does the staff require that SPMS does not already possess that would be beneficial to the classroom? Finally, how detailed must the training be for all staff development activities?

 

In order to obtain this data a list of survey questions will be administered to the staff before the start of the 2008 / 2009 school year. The survey questions will cover a variety of technologies including Windows based computer systems, Microsoft operating systems and software (Microsoft Office), Internet applications such as Moodle Course Management Systems, blogs, podcasting, email, Pinnacle Web Grade Book, and Criterion Online writing Evaluation Service. The survey will also include all hardware that has been purchased as part of the renovation to the middle school.

 

Through the Jackson County Intermediate School District (JCISD) Springport has received access to Moodle Course Management System. To complete this survey all staff members will receive an account with Moodle. A training course with the needs assessment survey will be created for staff members to participate.  The course will be administered by the technology coordinator and all data will be collected and used for future staff development. 

 

Sample Evaluation Questions

How would you rate your proficiency with each of the following?

 

Word Processing (Microsoft Word)

Poor                        Average      Good          Great

Presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint)

Poor                        Average      Good          Great

Spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel)

Poor                        Average      Good          Great

Database (Microsoft Access)

Poor                        Average      Good          Great

Email (Outlook Web Access Overview)

Poor                        Average      Good          Great

Setting up and maintaining a computer workstation

Poor                        Average      Good          Great

Figuring out how to use various software programs

Poor                        Average      Good          Great

Integrating technology into the classroom to support different learning activities

Poor                        Average      Good          Great

Using specific search strategies to locate information (Google, Yahoo, MSN etc)

Poor                        Average      Good          Great

Criterion Online Writing Evaluation Service

Poor                        Average      Good          Great

 

Pinnacle Web Grade Book

I feel comfortable using Grade Book (Pinnacle Web Grade Book)   Yes             No

 

I use Pinnacle Web Grade Book at home?     Yes             No

 

Please check the one box that indicates the extent to which you agree with the importance of each of the following in helping your students meet school and district performance expectations.

 

Blackboard (Moodle Course Management System)         

Not at all important                                         Extremely Important

                                                                    

 

Blogging (Moodle, Blogger, etc)

Not at all important                                         Extremely Important

                                                                    

 

Podcasting

Not at all important                                         Extremely Important

                                                                    

 

I am familiar with Moodle Course Management System.      Yes             No

 

I would be interested in using Moodle Course Management System to create an online class.

Yes             No

 

What media and technological resources do you use for class preparation? (Brief Explanation)

 

 

 

Once the survey is conducted and data is collected and analyzed the staff at SPMS will be notified of the results. At that time the staff will help determine what development or training is most needed and in what order that it will take place.

 

Sample Moodle Course Management System

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources

http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/Articles/surveyquest/index.htm

http://docs.moodle.org/en/Survey_module

http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/ed791b/TritonPatternsSurvey.pdf

http://www.csc.noaa.gov/needs/

http://digital.library.arizona.edu/nadm/tutorial/