EDU 550: Evaluating Education Technology

Overview

Current leaders of education and training organizations are charged with identifying technological solutions to practical problems; determining and prioritizing issues; exploring alternative solutions; and investigating the implications of potential actions. Trends and issues encountered by educational and training leaders are continually altered by social and cultural differences, globalization and diversity, regulatory demands, business strategies and goals, and the possibilities and ramifications of new technology.

This course explores the need, process, and role of technology in addressing these challenges by enhancing instruction and management in educational and training-related organizations of all kinds — public schools and school districts, higher education institutions, corporate training departments. The course will help educational and training leaders identify needs and opportunities for technology within their own settings; evaluate instructional technologies and administrative technologies; and develop strategic plans for implementing technologies in the most optimal way now and in the future.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe and discuss the major challenges faced by educators when planning and implementing technology to support the educational process.
• Conduct an analysis of needs and opportunities for technology in your organizational setting.
• Define and develop a research and development plan including evaluation for technology in your organizational setting.
• Describe the current status and trends in at least two areas of educational technology application.
• Define and develop a strategic technology plan for your organizational setting.

Required Texts
EDU 550 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore