“Does Your District Need a Technology Audit?” By Howard Pitler
In this article, Pitler addresses the fact that many districts are required by law to go through annual financial audits to assess the budget. Some even conduct curriculum audits to analyze the implementation of the curriculum in the classroom. Not many districts chose to conduct a tech audit, although technology is a large portion of the budget. Technology audits anser many questions including: How do the teachers feel about using technology? How do they use technology in the classroom? How effective is technology-related professional development? The first step in a tech audit is to collect the data. By surveying the teachers, conducting interviews, creating a focus group, and participating in a building walkthrough, auditors are able to determine the how technology is utilized on campus and its effectiveness. Then, the auditor analyzes the data, creates a final report, and follows up on the schools progress.
Why is it important to have a tech auditor?
A third-party tech auditor provides an unbiased view of how the school is doing regarding technology. Aside from assessing the appropriateness of tech use in the classroom, he or she is able to pinpoint where the issues are and how to create the most effective technology programs.
Is this necessary for all schools, including the younger ones?
It is immensely beneficial for all districts to go through this kind of audit. It helps them to make the most of technology and ensure that it is being properly integrated into all classrooms. Many audits will also suggest specific types of professional development to improve the programs
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