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Project Title: Evidence of Quality Teaching with Technology (EQTT) Observation Tool
School / Organization(s): Co-nect
What purpose does your assessment tool serve? Co-nect’s Evidence of Quality Teaching with Technology (EQTT) Classroom Observation Tool highlights specific technology practices cited by research to have the highest impact on instructional quality. The rubric and list of indicators enable teachers, school-level, and district-level personnel to quickly identify areas of strength and need in implementing technology to accelerate learning. Co-nect believes that good teaching practices must be present in order for technology to make a difference. Therefore, the EQTT tool works in tandem with Co-nect’s well-tested Evidence of Quality Teaching (EQT) Tool, which highlights research-based best teaching practices. Together the tools can help teachers and schools identify areas of need in implementing technology most effectively and focus professional development on those areas.
Please indicate the category that best describes your project:
Technology as an Assessment Tool:
NCLB Statewide Assessments (Preparation, Delivery, Analysis)
Classroom Assessments (tests, quizzes)
Electronic/Digital Portfolios
Computer Scored Essays
Information Management Systems
Tools for Observation of Student Work/Behavior
Special Needs/Alternative Assessments
Other: Tools for Observation of Teacher Practice
Assessing Technology Skills (NETSŸS and NETSŸT):
Digital Transcript
NCLB 8th Grade IT Literacy
High School IT Graduation Requirements
IT Certifications (Cisco, Microsoft, etc.)
21st Century Skills
Other:
How long has this assessment tool been in use within your organization? The Evidence of Quality Teaching tool (EQT) is based on a large body of research connecting classroom-level and building-level factors with student learning. The tool has been field-tested over a period of seven years in more than 200 schools, from primary to high school in all parts of the country, as part of Co-nect’s School Improvement program.
Who is the audience for this assessment tool? School and district personnel can use the Evidence of Quality Teaching with Technology (EQTT) tool to conduct classroom and school walk-throughs, perform needs analysis, and plan technology professional development. Individual teachers and teaching teams can also use the tool to help reflect on and improve their classroom technology practices.
What technology is used?
Hardware: Observations can be made by hand or using a hand-held input device, such as a palm pilot.
Software: Observations can be inputted and reports retrieved using a Web-baesd data entry and retrieval system.
Networking requirements: Internet connection required for reading reports
Approximately how many people are currently using this system?
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K-12
Students (current year) |
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K-12 Teachers |
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Teacher education students |
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Teacher education faculty |
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What professional development (for students or assessors) is required to use the tool? The EQTT professional development is a 1- 3 hour session which includes instruction for observers on how to score indicators and conduct a fair and comfortable school-wide walkthrough.
To use the tool effectively, what else should the school have in place? This tool can be used to help teachers personally evaluate their teaching practices. A school needs a collaborative-based teaching environment in place, in which teachers are comfortable giving and receiving feedback and discussing teaching practices.
If you haven't already addressed it, how does your tool help students or teachers demonstrate that they are meeting standards? The tool is based on best practice teaching strategies that should help teachers address state-wide standards.
What are your next steps in developing or implementing this tool? We are in the process of combining the EQTT observation tools with a faculty self reflection survey to look at the discrepancies between teacher-perceived strengths and challenges and actual classroom practice.