LibGuides: Technology for Teachers: Evaluating Technology

Technology Evaluation Handout

Questions to Consider

For what age group(s) is the technology appropriate?
How would a teacher incorporate the technology into the classroom?
Does this technology allow you to do something you were unable to do in the past?
Does the technology address more than one learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)?
Does the technology allow for progress monitoring of multiple users?
Can student data be sent to the teacher or parent via email?
How much instruction will need to be provided on use of the technology?
Will the technology meet the needs of all students in the class or will it be used with a specific subgroup?
Does the technology provide enough positive reinforcement to hold the interest of the students?
Does the technology encourage the use of higher order thinking skills including creating, evaluating, and analyzing?

Content-Based Technology

	YES	NO	N/A
Curriculum Connection: Are skills reinforced connected to targeted skills or concepts?
Authenticity: Are skills practiced in an authentic format/problem-based environment?
Feedback: Is feedback specific and results in improved student performance?
Differentiation: Does the technology offer flexibility to alter settings to meet student needs?
User friendliness: Can students open and navigate the tech independently or successfully with teacher guidance?
Student Motivation: Are students motivated to use the tech and select it to use often?
Reporting: Is assessment/summary data available to the student/teacher?
Sound: Does the music/sound add to the educational aspects of the content?
Instructions: Are the included instructions helpful for the student?
Support page: Does the tech’s supporting web page provide useful information?

Evaluation criteria adapted from resources on Kathy Shrock’s iPad App Evaluation guides http://www.ipads4teaching.net/ipads-in-the-classroom.html