eWalk for Walk-Throughs

2009 ITEC Presentation

by Toy Waterman

twaterman@aea11.k12.ia.us

What is eWalk?

eWalk is a free application for Iowa administrators that will collect, analyze and store teacher observation data. The program is used on Blackberry, iTouch, PocketPC, and Palm devices. eWalk software is intended to assist school leaders in gathering data while conducting classroom walk-throughs.

FAQs

• How did Iowa administrators get eWalk?• What does it mean by acquiring an

eWalk license?• What devices can use eWalk?• Why eWalk instead of another app?• What templates are available?• How do I get started?

How did Iowa administrators get eWalk?

• 2007 John O’Connell from the Iowa DE at the time negotiated with Media-x

• First round purchased eWalk licenses lasting two years (Technology funding)

• First round purchased Palm TX devices• AEAs were given the charge to distribute and

provide professional development for admins• Second round purchased around 500 licenses

lasting two years as well (Microsoft Settlement)• Second round purchased iTouch devices

What does it mean by acquiring an eWalk license?

• Each AEA has a designated person who will register an administrator’s DE folder #

• This person will also have to know the building(s) the administrator is assigned

• After this registration administrators can login on the Media-x site for the software and full access

• The license will continue to follow that admin

• Acquiring the devise is different for each AEA

What devices can use eWalk?

Why eWalk instead of another application?

• Totally digital using mobile devices• Web-based, so 24/7• Excellent interface - un-intrusive in the

classroom• District-wide walk-through data collection /

analysis • Templates are created according to district

needs

What templates are available?

• Behaviors and Characteristics

• Heartland -IA Teaching Standards which covers: IA Teaching Standards Behaviors and Characteristics Assessment & Professional Development

• Instructional Practice Inventory

• Iowa Administrative Standards

• AEA Certified Staff

• Teacher Librarians

• Others

• Create your own

How do I get started?

• Administrators are registered by their AEA contact for a license and assigned an admin position within a school building(s)

• Administrator obtains a compatible mobile device and installs eWalk

• Administrator may receive eWalk training according to his/her AEA’s eWalk procedures

• Administrator uses the eWalk license for two years, creating walk throughs and reports

Touring the eWalk Process

• Setting up an account• Downloading eWalk software• Downloading templates and teachers• Updating teacher list for buildings• Creating a new walk through• Uploading walk throughs

Editing Saving and sharing

• Creating reports• Creating customized templates

Support Sites

• Media-x http://www.mediax.com/products/ewalk/index.php

• Heartland AEA eWalk Support Sitehttp://ewalk.pbworks.com

Iowa eWalk Contacts

• John O’Connell515-249-0334pljohn.oconnell@mchsi.comjohn.oconnell@iowa.gov

• Jerry Schnabel > Director, Information and Technology Services AEA 267 800-542-8375 jschnabel@aea267.k12.ia.us

Questions

Toy Waterman

twaterman@aea11.k12.ia.us