Teacher Technology Profile

1. Introduction

This brief survey gathers information about how you are using technology in your classroom. The results will inform you about your practice as well as help NIS design a professional development program that best fits our needs. It is also hoped that this survey will expose you to many and various ways that technology can be part of your classroom.

In each section, please read carefully all the responses, then choose the statement that best describes you.

There are 11 questions, survey questions 1- 7 designed by Apple Professional Development.

Question Title

* 1. About technology:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

I use basic computer and network tools when it is absolutely necessary to get my work done. I accept my students' work from computer sources, but I neither encourage nor assign such work on a regular basis. I am not convinced of the value of technology in learning, but I'll use it if I must.

I apply the basic technical tools -word processor, email, and the internet -to my teaching of the traditional subjects. Technology is here to stay, and important for my students to use. I'll use it when it works, and when it's under my control.

Technology allows students to employ multiple forms of expression in my classes, and I assign many projects that call for them to apply different media to help them learn a variety of topics. I want my students to have the opportunity to learn with today's tools; it's essential to their development.

I look forward to learning new technologies as they appear, and then quickly apply them to my teaching. Technology has enabled me to invent new ways of engaging my students with the content they need to learn.

Technology has helped me to transform the learning environment in my classroom. I want to try new technologies as they appear. Technology is central to all that we do in class; it's the way we do business.

Question Title

* 2. In my curriculum:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

I stick to tried and true approaches in my teaching, using standard textbooks, whole-group instruction, and set schedules for the most part. If my students use technology at all, it's for acquiring basic knowledge and skills.

I assign computer work occasionally in my class, requiring the use of basic computer productivity tools such as word processing.

I often design new lessons that take advantage of the capabilities of the new technologies to develop key concepts in the standard subject areas. In fact, most of the activities in my class involve computers in one way or another, including a good deal of online learning.

Most of my curriculum materials are posted online, and student use them to develop key concepts and higher-level thinking skills. More and more of their assignments involve the application of cognitive and digital tools to skills to the solution of real-world problems.

My students apply the skills they have learned to real-world problems, using the same technology tools that are used in business and research. All of my reference materials are online, and available in many media forms to support a variety of learning styles. Students work on their own in cooperative groups for most of the class time.

Question Title

* 3. In my teaching:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

Most of my assignments involve paper and pencil tools, as do my tests and quizzes. I direct my lessons carefully, and ensure that all students proceed at a standard pace with the rest of the class. Any use of the computer or the network is incidental to the traditional teaching in my class.

Students work on traditional academic tasks with the technology, for the most part all working at the same assignment. The technology is under my careful supervision at all times, and sometimes includes a slide show that I deliver. Once in a while, I let small groups of students work at the computer, and I sometimes evaluate their projects with a simple rubric.

My students often initiate projects that use technology, and many of my assignments expect them to employ computers in their work. Though multimedia projects are not easy to assess, I have developed criteria to judge the academic value of this kind of work, some of which is accomplished by cooperative group activity.

I encourage my students to take the lead in finding new problems to solve and topics to explore. They often locate useful online learning resources of which I was unaware. The results of their investigations become part of an online digital portfolio that is assessed by peers and teachers.

Students in my class initiate their own investigations into the subjects of the curriculum, and use a variety of technical tools in this work. In large part they manage their own learning, designing and publishing their own portfolios and publishing web sites and podcasts that are often consulted as learning resources by other students.

Question Title

* 4. For communication:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

Since most of the world seems to be using email, I use it as well when it's the only way to communicate, at home and for certain required tasks at school. But most of my communication employs the standard modes of telephone, face-to-face meetings, and written notes.

Many of my parents and a few students communicate with me by email, and I find this useful. I've even tried instant messaging with a few of them. Our class newsletter and some assignments are now published online.

Many of the assignments and materials for my classes are posted online, and I often find myself using email and instant messaging to communicate with my students and their parents. I have also found it valuable to use email, IM, and other online forums and chats to share ideas with other teachers and professionals.

My web site has become a comprehensive resource-bank for me and my students, with most assignments posted online. Students develop collaborative projects that are published on the web, and they often use instant messaging (including audio and video) to get this work done.

Using instant messaging, videoconferencing, podcasts, and blogging, my students extend their learning across the globe, and often collaborate across cultural and language barriers. They have begun to develop learning communities that are in constant touch with one another for the accomplishment of academic objectives.

Question Title

* 5. With media:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

If students include digital images in their work I accept them, but do not expect such work as a matter of course. I use a digital camera at home for family photos, but seldom in school. I know how to make a simple slide show on the computer, but I don't do so very often.

Some of this year's assignments require students to develop simple projects on the computer that include images from the web, and get into what's called digital storytelling. My presentations to the class often include simple slide shows to illustrate key points.

My students are improving in their development of multimedia projects to explore key concepts in the standard subject areas. They have learned to use audio and video editing software, and can produce simple podcasts of their reports. The complexity of their digital storytelling is increasing.

Students in my classes produce original multimedia works in all of the standard subject areas, and publish these on the web, on DVD, and as enhanced podcasts.

The projects my students produce are aimed at a broad audience, and contain mostly original material developed from primary sources, in whatever media is most appropriate to communication and understanding.

Question Title

* 6. For productivity:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

Writing assignments that are done on the computer are acceptable to me, and I am known to type things up with a word processor when necessary. I know how to save my files to the disk, and get the documents I need from the school server.

I prefer that students do their writing on a word-processor, and I welcome their questions over email. It's common for me and my students to use word processing, spreadsheets, and computer slide shows in our standard curriculum work. I know how to store these files on the school's server.

In class, we often analyze quantitative information with a spreadsheet or database to help us understand key concepts in science and social studies, and we use the equation editor in math. Students have learned to mark up each other's writing using their word processors, and so the amount of peer editing has increased.

We build simulations of natural and historical phenomena with a spreadsheet, and students are able to design and carry out their own analyses of complex data. They frequently use the school network for collaboration, and for organizing their research materials.

My students and I often devise new ways to use word processors, spreadsheets and databases to explore the information in the curriculum. We jump at the chance to learn a new software or hardware tool as soon as it appears.

Question Title

* 7. For research:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

Most of the information in my class comes from print sources, but I allow internet research, and sometimes print out web pages for my lessons. I can find what I need on the internet some of the time, but would rather work in the library.

As a complement to their library research, students often find information on the Web, usually through sites that I identify for them. We have done Web scavenger hunts as part of certain curriculum units.

To help develop higher-order thinking skills, I construct webquests and other strategies that send students to a wide range of information resources. Online research has supplanted the books we used to use. We've begun to create an online archive of the most valuable sources.

My students are good at locating and evaluating new sources of academic information online, and use these sources to raise issues and solve new problems. Internet research has pretty much replaced book research in my class, and the web has become the chief method for students to publish their findings.

The students and I publish our work in a variety of formats, including web sites, podcasts, and video documentaries. These works are often consulted by other students, parents, and the community because of their educational value.

Question Title

* 8. SmartBoard
Choose the statement that best describes you.

I need an introduction about the Smartboard and it's possibilities. I have only used it as a projection screen.

I know how to activate and use the SmartBoard Tools and use ink writing on the Board when needed.

I use SmartBoard Tools and Notebook Software. I know the difference between the two and I can choose which one to use according to the needs. I can save and retrieve files.

I can search and use the "Gallery" as well as online material to retrieve teaching resources supporting aspect of my lessons. I know how to customize my Notebook Software Gallery to store my resources.

I use both Smartboard Tools and Notebook Software to save and organise files including objects stored in the Gallery. I know how to export files to other applications such as Pages, my Wiki or send by Mail. I also know how to set up my Board to my preferences and needs.

I can take advantage of most special features offered by the SmartBoard including creating my own animation and recording sessions.

I master all the previous levels. I can demonstrate my knowledge in presentations. I can teach others.

Question Title

* 9. Please indicate the best ways for you to take advantage of professional development opportunities : (check as many as apply)

Workshops at school during inservice days.

Workshops after school.

Small group or 1:1 sessions on my planning time.

Collaboration/planning/working together with technology specialist.

Teaching myself by trying out and learning new things on my own.

Learning informally from peers or technology specialists.

Learning informally from my students.

Online, self-paced courses that provide ideas and structured instruction.

Online courses with an expert who evaluates my progress.

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. What types of professional development would you like?

Strategies specific to my subject area.

Digital Storytelling

Multimedia production - iLife (iMovie, iTunes, iPhoto, iDVD, GarageBand)

Collaborative Learning: Wikis

Effective use of Blogs

Finding Information: NIS Data Center

Anecdotal Records: Merge Magic

Communication: Mail

Making Global Connections

Web Design: iWeb

Word Processing and Layout: Pages

Data Analysis: Numbers

Presentation: Keynote

Internet Searching and Web Quests

Social and networking tools: Web 2 Tools

Designing Mazes: Quandry

Layout and Design: Comic Life

Mind Mapping/Graphic Organizers: Inspiration/Kidspiration

Managing Student Computers: Remote Desktop

Macintosh Basics

NIS Network & Server Basics (Permissions)

Backup Systems

Digital Cameras, Photo Compression

Video Formats

Simulation and Animation: SAM

Calendars: iCal

Comments around an artifact: Voice Thread

SmartBoard Basics

SmartBoard Beyond Basics

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 11. I am a:

MYP/DP Teacher

PYP Teacher

Teaching Assistant

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 1. About technology:Choose the phrase that best describes you.

Question Title

* 2. In my curriculum:Choose the phrase that best describes you.

Question Title

* 3. In my teaching:Choose the phrase that best describes you.

Question Title

* 4. For communication:Choose the phrase that best describes you.

Question Title

* 5. With media:Choose the phrase that best describes you.

Question Title

* 6. For productivity:Choose the phrase that best describes you.

Question Title

* 7. For research:Choose the phrase that best describes you.

Question Title

* 8. SmartBoardChoose the statement that best describes you.

Question Title

* 9. Please indicate the best ways for you to take advantage of professional development opportunities : (check as many as apply)

Question Title

* 10. What types of professional development would you like?

Question Title

* 11. I am a:

Question Title

* 12. Please write any comments, suggestions, etc. for improving the technology program at NIS. Thanks : )

* 1. About technology:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

* 2. In my curriculum:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

* 3. In my teaching:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

* 4. For communication:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

* 5. With media:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

* 6. For productivity:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

* 7. For research:
Choose the phrase that best describes you.

* 8. SmartBoard
Choose the statement that best describes you.