Evaluating Signatron Technology's Program
"High Speed Internet Access Using Wireless OTH Data Communications"

Statement of Work (Abstact):

We are proposing a rather ambitious approach to the evaluation of OTH impact upon six participating schools in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Fortunately, several large data sets (Vermont School Report, the Department's Equipment Inventory and the telecommunications plan developed by each school) afford us a diverse array of bench line and descriptive indicators. Most of these indicators are readily available and will not require extensive fieldwork. However, the greatest challenge here will be to measure how the project impacts learning and teaching in each school. Initially we have designed this study to focus upon several levels of analysis: the individual learner, the classroom teacher, the teacher/technician, the curriculum team, the administration and the school (including here, the school board, budget and parents). Figure 1below delineates three impact areas. In our fieldwork we will place disproportionate attention upon the "lower" units of analysis; specifically focusing upon the learner(s), the teacher(s) and the curriculum team. (Throughout discussion here, unless otherwise noted, we have included the technicians - the Vermont DOE calls them instructional technology coordinators - as teachers.)

In one sense, everyone involved with the implementation of this new technology is a "learner." We are most interested in the experience of the students and the teachers. We anticipate that the freedom to explore information sources afforded the schools by the OTH technology will impact the learner in both content (what he/she learns) and style (how one learns).

Figure 1: Level of Analysis

I. Learner (Students)

II. Teachers

III. Administration
Style: Style:Style:
  • Cyber-skills
  • Cyber-skills
    		•
  • Curriculum Core Changes
    		•
  • Approach to learning
    		•
  • Classroom Style
  • Budget Changes
    		•
    Interaction With: Interaction With: Interaction With:
  • Internet Resources
  • Internet Resources
    		•
  • Teachers
    		•
  • Curriculum
    		•
  • Other Information
  • Other Administrators
    		•
  • Teachers
  • Other Teachers
  • School Boards and Parents
    		•
  • Other Learners
    		•
  • Curriculum Team
    		•
    Administration:
  • Rewards and Promotion
    		•
  • School Demeanor
    		•

    Comments to: crs@uvm.edu Reviewed on 10/15/97