Nevada Schools Educational Technology Needs Assessment

ByKendall Hartley, Ph.D.Neal Strudler, Ph.D.Gregg Schraw, Ph.D.College of Education

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

kendall.hartley@unlv.eduprojects.web2teach.com/nevada

Research Questions

• What is the current status of the state and district educational technology plans?

• In what ways can educational technologies, such as computer-based assessments, laptop computers and web-based tools, improve instructional development, delivery, and assessment in Nevada?

• What is the current capacity of schools in Nevada to positively impact the achievement of students through the use of educational technologies?

• How prepared are Nevada teachers to integrate technology into the classroom?

Needs Assessment Design

• focus on Nevada classrooms • classroom teacher survey• technology coordinator interviews• technology coordinator surveys• others

– documents– teacher interviews– parent survey

Size Student Enrollments Districts

Small < 2000 EsmereldaEureka LanderLincolnMineralPershingStoreyWhite Pine

Medium 2000 – 20,000 Carson CityChurchillDouglasElkoHumboldtLyon Nye

Large > 20,000 ClarkWashoe

Technology Plans

• District– Building consensus– Guides planning– Variations in use

• State– Looking for guidance– Need for specifics, a true plan– 21st Century skills should be the

emphasis

EdTech Improving Instructional Development, Delivery, and

Assessment• Computer-based assessments

– Coordinators are optimistic– Many challenges

• Logistics• Limited hardware• Test integrity

• Expanded use of laptop computers– new category of laptops– successes in other areas

• specific activities associated with achievement gains

• lower rates of behavior problems, more student engagement

– an area where teachers feel ill-prepared– technology coordinators are concerned

about the support needed

EdTech Improving Instructional Development, Delivery and

Assessment

Nevada Classrooms

Display Device

Classroom Computers

Frequency of Use

• During the most recent 60 minutes of instructional time– 56% of teachers reported using the

computer for instructional purposes– 35% reported having students use

computers

Configurations of Student Use

Student Use During the Year

Professional Development

Which of the following professional development opportunities have been available to you during the current school year? Yes

One-on-one training from a technology specialist.

26%

Online professional development courses. 33%

Informal training from colleagues. 52%

Inservice training related to technology. 56%

Professional Development Quality

Parent Perceptions

• expect technology to be a part of the school experience

• concerned about safety• see limited evidence of school

technology use• school image shaped by school

communications

Technology and Student OutcomesElementary School

Outsider Observations

• Challenges– Information systems– Tendency to continue existing practices– Adaptability

Questions

• projects.web2teach.com/nevada• kendall.hartley@unlv.edu