Grant Assessment
The primary goal of the Tech2Learn grant was to educate teachers and administrators to better use SMART Boards to enhance their teaching and students’ learning. Now that the grant is over and the evaluation assessments have been tabulated, we are proud to say, “We Did It!”
At the very beginning of our training in August of 2008, we asked every participant to complete a pre-survey instrument filled with questions about their skills, knowledge, beliefs, and classroom use of SMART BOARDS. In May of 2009, after one full day of training, five half-days of training, and three after-school videoconferences, we surveyed each participant again with the exact same instrument. The results are very encouraging. Below are a few sample findings.
Professional Beliefs:
“I have the skills and knowledge to use a SMART Board for classroom instruction.” In August 2008, only 42% could agree with this statement. In May 2009, the percentage rose to 99%!
“I am familiar with strategies to assess the effectiveness of SMART Board instruction.” In August 2008, only 17% could agree with the statement. In May 2009 the percentage was a staggering 95%!
SMART Notebook Software Skills:
“Design your own SMART Notebook Lesson?” In August 2008, only 10% felt they were proficient at this. In May 2009, the percentage soared to 72%.
“Insert links to webpages, pages in files, add sounds, and attachments?” In August 2008, 13% felt they were proficient in these skills, but by May of 2009 that percentage went to 73%!
Classroom Integration:
“Use the SMART Board and Notebook activities as an intervention tool?” In August only 19% said they did this very often or often. By May 2009, this percentage jumped to 73%!
“Use the SMART Notebook activities to facilitate whole group discussions?” In August 2008, only 32% of the participants did this often, but by May 2009 a whopping 89% were doing this often.
The entire results of the grant assessment are available for download in PDF formatt at PrePost Survey Results.pdf.