CNYRIC Connections - TRAC

"Many teachers are willing to integrate technology in the classroom, but are often unsure of what this kind of integration might look like, or entail."

Technology Readiness Assessment & Consultation – Helping Your District Define its Technology Implementation

Now more than ever, school districts throughout Central New York are utilizing technology in the classroom to better equip students with the skills they’ll need to succeed in whatever career path they pursue. Whether providing students with Chromebooks or tablets, or utilizing the internet for teaching, online lessons, or collaboration, districts have a variety of tools at their disposal to cultivate learning in and out of the classroom.

But how is the effective utilization of this technology defined? Is allowing the student the chance to submit their homework online “effective” enough? Are there roadblocks to allowing teachers/students adequate access to technology resources? Many teachers are willing to integrate technology in the classroom, but are often unsure of what this integration might look like, or entail.

To that end, the CNYRIC’s Technology Readiness Assessment and Consultation (TRAC) resource is available to help districts answer these questions. The Model Schools team will visit with the school to discuss current technology integration practices, and conduct an evaluation and consultation process that includes:

Meeting with district administration to explain the process, and find out what the leadership in the district is hoping to determine from this consultation.
Meeting with department chairs and grade-level teams to assess the current use of instructional technology in the classroom.
Providing teachers with a survey developed by the CNYRIC to assess current use of technology in instruction.
Processing and synthesizing results of the survey, general observations, and meetings.
Use of the TRAC rubric to assess 16 different areas of technology integration on a 1-4 scale: Early, Developing, Proficient, and Advanced.

It's important to note that TRAC strives to help districts understand how effectively technology is being used in the classroom. It is not intended to serve as an evaluation method for individual teachers or general instructional practices.

At the conclusion of the evaluation, the CNYRIC will provide a final report that includes all survey data, a summary of the evaluation process, general findings, and future recommendations.

For more information about TRAC, please contact Jason Clark.