Assessing and Evaluating Technology Use in the Classroom

One’s understanding of the use of technology can be assessed using technology skills checklist.  The checklists reviewed were extensive, especially the one from University of Kentucky published in 2005. This document included areas of inquiry from basic computer skills (correct use of the computer for example, clean hands, no food/drinks, no magnets, etc.) to checks before and during online assessment.  This checklist is provides a comprehensive evaluation of the learner.  I could not think of additions to this list.  I feel confident that if all the categories on this checklist are met the learner will be successful in an online learning environment. 

Another checklist asked the learner to evaluate their skill and identify the additional skills to be learned as a result of participating in the course of study.   This skills checklist was focused on conducting research.  This checklist evaluated the student’s ability to define keyword searches in order to gather data on specific topics, and the use of other software applications, such as, word processing, spreadsheets, and file management. 

These examples were specific to the specific offerings.  The sites for these examples are listed below:

http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/education/marsville/students/training/checklist.html

http://www.hdi.uky.edu/uda/Files/TechnologyChecklistKY11-21-05.pdf

Copyright Issues and Violations: Must Know

Copyright is the legal right given to individuals to publish, produce, sale or distribute works that they create.  The primary works covered by the copyright laws are literary, musical, dramatic, or artistic works.   Three guidelines associated with copyright laws that impact the classroom are making copies of the work, selling or otherwise distributing copies of the work, and preparing new works based on the protected work.

The two guidelines that are most important to me are making copies of the work and preparing new works based on the protected work.  Making copies of the work happens most days.  I reproduce articles to use in the classroom and I had planned to use these articles in the future not realizing that this practice was an infringement on copyright laws.  According to my reading, this practice of copying and using works in future years is outside copyright laws.  I thought this was okay because this was what I have witnessed. We are ignorant of the law and how our practices are in conflict.  I thought this practice met the “fair use” guidelines, until now.  The volume and frequency of use is the problem not the use of the material. 

The second, guideline is preparing new works based on the protected work. The adage of “don’t recreate or reinvent the wheel” comes to mind. This adage makes it seem okay to use previous works to aid in the current endeavor.  This could be writing a paper or creating a lesson plan.  I search for examples of the task at hand prior to beginning my work.  I frequently use some of the information, modifying the content to make appropriate for my needs.  How much should I use?  If the format of the document is used and not the content, is that inside or outside the purview of the copyright laws?  This law has to do with how much of the resource is being used.  Anytime there is a judgment call there is some gray associated with the answer.  This makes appropriate interpretation of the law harder.  Since the use of protected works come into play in the classroom every day, I will seek ways to ensure appropriate use.

Teachers are allowed to use copyrighted material on a limited base.  However, when the use is in conflict with the purpose of the copyright law which is to provide an economic incentive for individuals to create new work there is a problem and this is when we are violating the law.

Can Student Nurses Blog Their Way to NCLEX Success?

I found a document that provides a study schedule that can be use when preparing to take NCLEX.  This document provides a 3 months step by step process to the NCLEX exam. This document gives tips on a course of study that starts with the weakest area first and end with this same area.  Practice exams are recommended until a score of 86% is reached on a 100 item test.  The suggested study time is twice a week for 1 – 2 hours each time.  The document can be found at http://nursing.unc.edu/current/counseling/nclex_study_schedule.pdf

Can Student Nurses Blog their way to NCLEX Success?

I am still on my quest to find a few powerful resources to help student nurses prepare to take the National Council License Examination (NCLEX) and pass on the first attempt.  One of my students did find the information from my last blog on “how to create a study plan” helpful.  This resource provides a plan of study used by another student that can be use as a roadmap for their own personal plan of study.

A colleague shared a resource that she uses with her NCLEX advisees.  The URL is http://freenursetutor.com/.  This website was created by Diane Yeager (nurse, teacher, Webmaster) who has “enthusiasm for using today’s computer technology to enhance the educational process”. This site promotes the use of practical interactive computer based learning activities as a supplement to traditional methods of teaching and learning.  I sampled a couple of the activities and found them to be useful a review for assessment techniques and a lot more.  I will share with my students.  My goal is to create an inventory of resources for use by current and future NCLEX advisees.