DMET 526, TSAT & Phase 3
1. What standard(s)/outcome(s) are being met?
2 E. Developing leadership techniques for working with all levels of the educational community and to manage and administer instructional technology programs at the building and district levels.
2. Identify 1-3 elements of the artifact and explain why/how they demonstrate mastery.
Within the first two months of my coursework in DMET 526, I learned a lot about the importance of developing leadership techniques, and managing instructional technology programs at the building and district levels. One of the first things I learned about these concepts is how to administer a technology self assessment tool, or TSAT. The TSAT is used to help staff members find out what their technology skills are, so that an enterprise can better assess where they are at when implementing technology programs and making technology plans for the future. In addition to the TSAT, I also learned about the importance of phase 3 of the technology plan. Phase 3 of the technology plan is applicable to this standard because it assesses the current status of an enterprise. It also helps plan for its technological needs and resources in an effort to evaluate technology implementation outcomes. As a requirement for DMET 526, I conducted an inventory of the school building that I work in. In addition to this, I conducted a TSAT on some of the staff members that work there, including myself.
3. How does, will, or could the content of this artifact benefit your instructional audience or professional community?
This artifact will benefit my professional community by allowing staff members that are unsure of their current technological skill level to gain a more accurate picture of what they are capable of. With this information, staff members can better plan for future professional development opportunities. My administration and colleagues will benefit from the current status of my school building analysis. My school district does not have a technology plan, and this information will help plan for future decisions in purchasing of computer/technology systems and related peripherals, as well as staff development needs. *This artifact is under construction while I take DMET 526.
4. Reflection: What did you learn from the experience when you created the artifact or took the course?
The most important thing that I learned from this experience is that the staff I work with has very diverse technology skill sets. I am often asked to help do things like configure white boards, solve software and hardware glitches, fix Internet problems etc.. Most of these things are just part of a normal day for me. After looking at the information from the TSAT forms, I realize now that technology skills are not to be taken for granted among staff members. Sometimes I have presumed that certain staff members were more capable than they really were, and that is unfair to do. Conversely, there are other staff members that are more capable than I may have originally guessed. Instructional technologists should gain an accurate picture of all of the staff's technology skills in order to best meet their diverse needs.
Blank TSAT Example:
Ryan Maxwell, TSAT
T. Fuller (Co-Worker, TSAT)
Technology Plan, Phase 3