A Tool for Assessing Conditions that
Support Educational Technology Reforms
among U.S. Teachers in Grades 4-12*

Jason Ravitz, Ph.D.
University of California, Irvine

Daniel Light
Center for Children & Technology, NY
 

*Formerly: Assessing teacher readiness for constructivist technology-based projects
Funded by the Center for Innovative Learning Technologies, Assessment Theme Team
http://www.cilt.org

Last Updated 11/29/03

This project has collected and synthesized findings from several existing surveys in order to produce a tool for assessing conditions in schools and among teachers.  The measures are designed to predict constructivist-compatible pedagogy AND technology use in class.  The measures are being offered for use in the selection and analysis of study sites and as a diagnostic tool for use by teachers and schools.

Building on two national surveys conducted at the University of California, Irvine under the direction of Hank Becker (National School Network, 1997);  Teaching Learning & Computing, 1998) and replication studies in Union City, New Jersey  (Union City Online, CCT/EDC), we have selected questions that are most closely associated with teaching that we believe is consistent with constructivist-based reforms, and with the accompanying uses of technology.

Our eventual goal is to produce the shortest possible instrument with the strongest possible items that addresses each of the key issues we think are important.  We think this can be accomplished by additional conceptual and empirical analysis, and by enlisting the help of other people who have struggled or who are struggling with the role of technology in school reform.  (Related Projects)


The instrument and its conceptualization has been supported by extended discussions with other educational technology investigators (see list of discussants).  The criterion measure for selection of items from the National School Network survey was a measure of "leading-edge" Internet use by teachers.  For the selection of items from the TLC'98 national survey, we used within-subject constructivist practice scores and, to a lesser extent, within-subject computer software use scores.
Proposed measures included in the survey:
I.  Desire for Technological Innovation
II.  Constructivist-Compatible Beliefs & Practices
III.  Vision of the Role of Technology in Learning
IV.  Teacher Knowledge & Skills related to Technology & Pedagogy
V.  Teacher Involvement in School Decisions & Planning
VI.  Teacher Professionalism & Leadership Orientation
VII.  Supportive School Culture
VIII. School Resources and Support
Current version (as of 5/15/00) :
Profiler Version (8/24/00)
On the Web : HTML formatted for re-use by others - 11/29/03 (replaces 5/15/00 version)
Other formats - by request
Collaborators are needed!  The project also welcomes commentary about this effort -- including alternative measures or conceptualizations.  We seek ideas for improving this work, and for comparing and discussing related ideas (Join Discussion).

If you would like to become involved in the PILOT uses of this instrument, further information will be made available.   To provide feedback  -- or to be notified of further discussions  -- and/or for use of the instrument -- please send email to: jason@bie.org

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