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MEDT 8462 Technology Needs Assessment

Project 1

Pamela Hall
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Author Description

This needs assessment is prepared by me, Pamela Hall. I currently work as the full time

media specialist at EBS. It is a K8 school, which means we serve students Pre-kindergarten

through eighth grade. We serve approximately 550 students. We have two administrators, two

academic coaches, one full time counselor, and one part time counselor, and forty teachers. EBS

is a Title 1 School. Over 90% of students receive free or reduced lunch. Most of the students ride

school buses to school or walk.

I work in the media center. As the media specialist, one of many duties is overseeing the

technology we have at the school. I am responsible for signing it out to teachers, making sure it

is working properly, making sure there is no damage to the technology, and updating the

equipment when needed. I also receive any new equipment that is brought into the building and

process it and keep track of where it goes.

Needs Assessment Process

In order to complete the needs assessment, I followed the directions for the Project 1

Needs Assessment Assignment. I read the definition of Needs Assessment. I looked at the

examples given to get an idea on how the assessment should look. Once I understood the

definition and directions, I thought about what I really needed to find out from the stakeholders.

Once I figured that out, I developed the questions and possible responses for the survey in

Google Forms. I thought it would be best to make the survey anonymous and easily accessible.

Then I developed the questions for the interview. I thought about whom I wanted to interview

and I went up to the school and interviewed them one afternoon once summer school was

released. I also told the staff about the survey and shared the link to the survey with them. Once

the surveys and interviews were completed I analyzed the results and developed the report.
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Current Available Technology

At EBS, we currently have twelve Cows. Cows are Computers on Wheels. Five cows

have thirty-two laptops, four cows have twenty-five laptops, two cows have eighteen laptops,

and one cow have twelve laptops. The laptops are a combination of Chromebooks and Lenovo

Thinkpads. All are used in the classes. There are two computer labs with 30 desktop computers.

Teachers sign up in the media center to use the labs. There are 30 IPads that are signed out be

teachers who have small groups. There are LCD projectors installed in each classroom. The

projectors are hooked up to the teachers’ desktop computers.

Stakeholders Description

For the purpose of the needs assessment, I interviewed and surveyed those people who

were accessible. They are currently teaching summer school. I also searched out those people

who I know use technology often in their class. I interviewed and surveyed the principal since he

is the head of the school. Before any decisions can be made on what technology is to be

purchased, the principal has to approve it. We have to have complete buy in from the

administration to do anything. I also interviewed a fifth grade special education teacher who

works in the Inclusion model full-time. She co-teaches with a general education teacher to

support those students with learning disabilities. I thought it was important to include her

because as a former special education teacher I know students with disabilities should always be

included when decisions are being made on what’s best for the school. For my third and final

interview, I chose to interview an eighth grade male teacher. He works with eighth grade full

time. He is an older teacher so I was interested in hearing his views on technology. When talking

about implementing technology we have to think about all teachers who will be implementing it.

The surveys are anonymous so I don’t know which teachers chose to take it. Since I had to have
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a least five surveys, I told ten staff members about the survey hoping to come up with the five

required surveys. The demographics of the stakeholders are a combination of women and men.

The majority are women since there are only three men working summer school. The racial

break down is 97% African American, 2% Caucasian, and 1% Hispanic.

Major Outcomes

As determined by the results of the surveys and interviews, EBS has some technology

deficits, which means needs. 75% percent of people who completed the surveys were teachers

with 25% percent administrators. The grade levels of the teachers ranged from 3rd grade to 8th

grade. 33.3% of the teachers use technology two days, 33.3% use technology five days, 16.7%

use technology one day, and the principal said he though every teacher used laptops at least

twice a week. 100% of the staff members completing the survey said they would like to see

technology used more in the classroom. When asked why staff members don’t use technology

more the majority said lack of equipment, and not comfortable implementing it. As indicated by

the survey, students use technology in class for assessment and to collaborate. 66% of the

teachers said they would prefer to use Chromebooks and IPads in class. 83% of the staff said

students are not allowed to use personal devices in class. When asked how many classes of

technology taken 83% of the staff members said they have taken one to three classes in

technology.

Priority Needs

Based on the outcome of the surveys and interviews, training on how to implement

technology in the classroom and more equipment is needed if students are going to be successful.

Technology training has to be a priority if teachers are going to implement technology into the

class. There has to be follow up to the training as well. Teachers cannot just have one thirty
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minute class on the topic and be expected it implement it effectively. More equipment is needed

as well so students can be successful. It is going to take a great deal of funding to get more

equipment.

NEED CAUSES CONSEQUENCES DIFFICULTY TO

CORRECT (LOW,
MEDIUM, HIGH)
Technology Training Training is not The staff doesn’t know Low
for staff members requested for staff. to effectively
implement technology
into instruction.
More Laptops There is not enough Teachers have rotate High
money to purchase Cows. Students don’t
equipment. get ample time with
equipment, which
slows down their
achievement.

Action Plan

Currently, there is not a technology plan for the school. The first step would be to

develop a viable technology plan. The plan has to take in account the outcome of the surveys and

interviews. Based on that data, it is determined that technology training is needed for staff

members so they can effectively implement technology into the classroom. I would recommend

technology training at least three times a month for staff members who have the responsibility of

teaching students. Anything less than that wouldn’t be ineffective for teachers. There shouldn’t

be too much time between the trainings. The trainings should flow and be connected so teachers

can make the transition from one concept to the next. The training should be standards driven so

students’ needs are being met during implementation phase. Training should include the media

specialist, academic coaches, and paraprofessionals as well. If technology training is made a

priority by the administration staff, this goal can be met with little difficulty. In order to meet the
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goal of getting more equipment for the classrooms, it has to be determined which grade levels

should receive the equipment first. Since online testing is a requirement for certain grade levels

taking The Georgia Milestones, those grade levels should receive the equipment first so they can

be adequately prepared for testing. It is of the utmost importance that the students know how to

navigate their way around the keyboard and from screen to screen. They should feel comfortable

using the laptops when testing starts. The grade levels that are testing on the computer are third,

fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth. Once it is determined how much equipment is needed, we have

to find out what funds if any are available to aid us in purchasing equipment. There are also

technology grants that are available. We would need to find out what grants are available and

apply for them. If possible, the principal can reach out to other schools to see if they have any

extra laptops that aren’t being used. As a media specialist, I hear about equipment other schools

don’t need anymore. If any of the equipment will meet our needs, I will reach out to those

schools with the principal’s approval. This goal is a little more difficult to attain because money

is involved but we can make some progress and securing more equipment this year.
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Appendix

Interview Transcripts

Technology Surveys
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Interview Questions

1. Pam Hall: How often do you personally use technology?

Administrator: I use technology everyday.
Pam Hall: What do you use it for?
Administrator: I use it to check my email, create documents, look at data, and other
administrative duties.
Pam Hall: What do you use?
Administrator: I use my laptop or desktop computer.

2. Pam Hall: Do you stay up to date on the latest technology?

Administrator: No, I don’t. I’m not technological savvy.

3. Pam Hall: Describe how you feel about technology?

Administrator: It’s one of those things you have to use. I use it because it’s required.

4. Pam Hall: Would you like to see technology used more or less in class? Why?
Administrator: I think our teachers use some type of technology everyday. I see them use
the mobile carts, the lab computers, IPads, and the projectors. We don’t have enough
computers for every class to have a set of laptops, which would be ideal. Yes, I would
like to see it being used more in each class.

5. Pam Hall: Do you think technology is used effectively in class? Why or Why not?
Administrator: This is bad to say but I know it’s not used effectively. Because of the state
of our test scores, teachers have to use technology mainly for students to complete
practice tests and benchmark testing. Students should be learning how to use technology
to achieve standards, complete projects, and learn new material.

6. Pam Hall: How often should technology be used in class? Why?

Administrator: Technology should be used everyday in classrooms so students can learn
from it. Our students should be communicating with students from all over the world.
They should be learning new concepts and ideas.

7. Pam Hall: Are you comfortable implementing technology in instruction?

Administrator: Personally, I’m not comfortable implementing it but then again I don’t
have to implement it.

8. Pam Hall: Would you like to see more professional development on implementing
technology? Why?
Administrator: Yes, I would. Our IT person has come in a couple of times and taught
some professional development classes. She taught staff about Seesaw and Hyperdocs.
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The sessions were forty-five minutes long so I don’t know if enough information was
given for teachers to carry out activities. There was no follow-up. We need more training
and follow up to make sure comprehension and implementation is taking place.

9. Pam Hall: Do you teachers have enough technology in their classrooms for their
students?
Administrator: No, teachers only have two to five computers in their classrooms for a
class of approximately 20-30 students. Teachers check out mobile carts with laptops
when they need to use more.

10. Pam Hall: Do you consider technology to be an important part of the school? Why?
Administrator: Oh yes. Like I said before, we use it for practice test, benchmarks, and
Georgia Milestones Tests.
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Interview Questions

1 Pam Hall: How often do you personally use technology?

8th Grade Teacher: Does my phone count?
Pam Hall: Yes
8th Grade Teacher: Everyday

2 Pam Hall: Do you stay up to date on the latest technology?

8th Grade Teacher: No. Ms. Hall I don’t have time for that.

3 Pam Hall: Describe how you feel about technology?

8th Grade Teacher: I don’t know. It’s okay, I guess.
Pam Hall: Can you elaborate?
8th Grade Teacher: No. I never really thought about it.

4 Pam Hall: Would you like to see technology used more or less in class? Why?
8th Grade Teacher: No.
Pam Hall: Why not?
8th Grade Teacher: It’s a headache checking it out from the library. You have to walk all
the way to the library to get a cart. Then when you’re finish you have to walk all the way
back to turn it in.
Pam Hall: If they could stay in your room, would you use them more or less.
8th Grade Teacher: In that case, I would use them more.
Pam Hall: Why?
8th Grade Teacher: Why not? You have them. Put them to good use. Students could do
more projects.

5 Pam Hall: Do you think technology is used effectively in class? Why or Why not?
8th Grade Teacher: No, because we just test on them and that’s it. There’s too much
testing. There is no time to do anything else.

6 Pam Hall: How often should technology be used in class? Why?

8th Grade Teacher: I think they should be used maybe four times a week. I want to use
them for something else besides testing.

7 Pam Hall: Are you comfortable implementing technology in instruction?

8th Grade Teacher: Not really, I never had much training in technology.

8 Pam Hall: Would you like to see more professional development on implementing
technology? Why?
8th Grade Teacher: Yes, I guess I would. That might change the way I feel about it.
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9 Pam Hall: Is there anything preventing you from using technology in your class?
8th Grade Teacher: Yes, like I said before. I don’t really know anything about it.

10 Pam Hall: Do you have enough technology in your room for your students?
8th Grade Teacher: No, I have two working computers in my room.

11 Pam Hall: Do you consider technology to be an important part of the school? Why?
8th Grade Teacher: Yes, we use it everyday so it has to be an important part of the school.
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Interview Questions

1. Pam Hall: How often do you personally use technology?

5th Grade Teacher: 5-6 days a week

2. Pam Hall: Do you stay up to date on the latest technology?

5th Grade Teacher: Only phones, I don’t stay up to date with computers or anything like
that.

3. Pam Hall: Describe how you feel about technology?

5th Grade Teacher: I love my smart phone. I use it for everything. I use laptops here at
school and that’s it. I use it to check my email and to do lesson plans. I guess the laptops
are okay. They’re important for me to do my job.

4. Pam Hall: Would you like to see technology used more or less in class? Why?
5th Grade Teacher: Yes and no. Yes if it’s done the right way. No, because there are other
methods to teach the students other than technology.

5. Pam Hall: Do you think technology is used effectively in class? Why or Why not?
5th Grade Teacher: I don’t think it is used effectively in my class. We only use the laptops
to do benchmarks, Georgia Milestones, and Balanced Literacy Test.

6. Pam Hall: How often should technology be used in class? Why?

5th Grade Teacher: At least 3-4 times a week, because that’s enough. Students need to do
other work.

7. Pam Hall: Are you comfortable implementing technology in instruction?

5th Grade Teacher: No, because I don’t know how to implement it. There weren’t any
classes on the topic when I was in school.

8. Pam Hall: Would you like to see more professional development on implementing
technology? Why?
5th Grade Teacher: Yes, I would like to see more professional development. I want to be
able to teach students some things about technology that will help them in school.

9. Pam Hall: Is there anything preventing you from using technology in your class?
5th Grade Teacher:

10. Pam Hall: Do you have enough technology in your room for your students?
5th Grade Teacher: No, I only have four computers in my room. We have to check out the
mobile carts if we want more and we can only do that 2-3 times a week.
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11. Pam Hall: Do you consider technology to be an important part of the school? Why?
5th Grade Teacher: Yes, I think technology is an important part of school because of
assessments, stem activities, and new standards.
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I tried several times attaching my surveys from Google Forms and it would not work

properly. I do have the information. I just don’t know how to attach it properly and I don’t want

to run out of time.