Tools and Settings
Content
Questions and Tasks
Adapted from digital literacy self-assessments developed by SABES Program Support PD Center and the Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN)
This self-rating form is comprehensive and suitable for use in helping teachers determine their own technology competencies. You may want to use the items here as a guide to develop your own checklist that focuses on the skills required by the particular distance education program you are offering.
For each of these areas below, please indicate your skill level integrating these tools/skills into teaching activities and your interest in attending professional development on this topic using the scales below:
There are some basic skills and knowledge that both you and your students need to have in order to learn with technology, such as start-up steps, using the keyboard, printing, and troubleshooting simple problems.
These tools allow people to perform various tasks, including creating written documents, graphs and spreadsheets, and presentations. Some popular productivity software includes MicrosoftOffice (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher) and Google Applications (Docs, Sheets, Slides).
These resources include a wide array of programs, ranging from complete online curricula to those used for specific skill development, e.g., reading, writing, math, work skills, and ESOL.
These tools include assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices. AT promotes greater independence for people with disabilities by enabling them to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to or had great difficulty accomplishing.
Many classes have access to and use the Internet on a regular basis because adult learners need the skills involved for further education, at their places of employment, and for daily life needs.
People communicate using a variety of online technology tools such as email, text messaging, shared online documents, blogs, and social networking sites
These tools include video cameras and other digital media tools as well as video editing software. These tools can be used to create both teacher- and student-generated videos.
Creating a screencast video, for example a video showing learners how to log in to a website
Keeping up with and integrating technology into classrooms requires continuous learning and exploring. There are many ways you can continue to learn, including doing research online, subscribing to email lists, using Twitter or other social networking sites, talking to colleagues, attending conferences, and even using this self-assessment tool.
One of the most challenging tasks you may face is simply keeping up with current technologies and choosing what is best to use in your classroom and program. Sometimes our students are way ahead of us!
The instructor serves as a role model when it comes to using technology. This includes knowing and obeying copyright, privacy, and other computer and Internet usage laws; modeling healthy habits while using computers; and thinking and talking about the role of technology in society.