TechYes has a video that explains their philosophy of project-based technology literacy assessment while showing authentic assessment in action. TechYes is not a free program, although the cost is not that high, but I think it is worth looking at in terms of modeling a way to bring technology literacy into your classroom or school. TechYes is part of GenYes.
In light of what we have been learning about technology, collaboration and assessment, I would like TEAM students to watch the video, and then click on the Assessment link. After viewing, please leave a comment on this blog. What can you glean from this presentation that you can incorporate into your teaching?
Interesting program! I like the idea of using TechYes in our district as an after-school program, especially because there is already a lot of great technology instruction already being provided during the school day. I would love to see if any local schools use it, and the realiities of the program. The cost is very low, which makes it even more attractive to buy and try. I'm a special ed teacher, and I would be most interested in how the program would best fit the needs of my students. I had the impression that it somewhat seemed geared towards higher-functioning students, but I could be mistaken.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting program. Watching the video of the students working together and teaching other how to use technology was really inspiring. I like the idea of having the program run with all students in a grade level. This way, I feel that all students will be exposed to it and can help each other with it. I would love for my 7th graders to be involved in this program because the more they know about technology, the more fun and interesting math projects could get!
ReplyDeleteThe TechYes video and assessment was very informative! I would love to implement something along these lines with my elementary students in the library. The program reminded me of the Big6 for research skills, except the skills being focused on and assessed are the NETS, and it even had an evaluation segment, where the students self-assess their work, an important skill to master in and of itself. I also liked the peer mentoring aspect of the program, building leadership skills and really capitalizing on the opportunities for meaningful feedback. Something that I always struggle with in my field is the performance and testing of out of context skills and a program like this addresses this issue by providing authentic projects and assessments with the opportunity to correct mistakes in "real time", and not just getting a grade on a final test and that being the end of technology literacy. Now we as educators have to "gather, organize, construct, and share" ways to provide TechYes types of projects for our students in creative ways!
ReplyDeleteTechnology instruction is centered around the mastery of skills as opposed to the accumulation of a body of knowledge. That being said the demonstration of those abilities and performance based assessment are the only authentic means of technology instruction. Traditional lecture and limited choice testing are just not suited to the subject. In TEAM we follow the model set out by TechYes and I expect that we share technology with our own students in much the same manner. We conform with the foundations of the TechYes program without their encouragement or example. It was difficult to determine from the video or the website just what TechYes offered beyond the suggestion to create student centered, project driven environments. The focus on peer mentoring was admirable, but again, I hope and expect that many of us already follow that model.
ReplyDeleteAs a classroom teacher, I do like the possibilities that TechYes offers, but I don't see it being incorporated as is into my classroom. I do see (at the elementary level) as an elective club. Students would work with each other to create their own learning plan to achieving a common goal. I love the peer mentoring and how experts are cultivated from the student population. I wonder how much the time constraints of my grade level would impact its effectiveness.
ReplyDeleteI think something along these lines will surely make up the future of education. It is empowering, engaging and fun.
I agree that this would be hard to implement into our individual subject areas, but I do see the benefits of this program. I was involved in developing the curriculum of our Intro to computer classes at the high school and I could see how this program would fit into these courses that are already very project based. It would add the component of group work and student assessment into the classes.
ReplyDeleteTechYes seems like a great program to have in a middle school. As a self contained teacher I think this program would work best if my students had TechYes as an elective during the day. Perhaps during this time they could work on a project that would match up with what they are learning in their core subjects as a reinforcement as they become proficient in the use of technology. It is so important to give the students as many authentic learning experiences as possible instead of just teaching and giving a test. This program sounds like it will give students skills they will utilize.
ReplyDeleteWow, this program looks great. As I was watching the video I was amazed at all the different aspects that get the students learning while taking leadership in their own learning. I think the peer mentors and advisor's are great ways to help students when the get stuck along the way. This is such a great idea and incorporating it into the classroom would definitely prepare students for the real world.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great program and I like how it follows how we use assessment in TEAM. It is a model that should be followed when teaching technology, and many subjects for that matter. By making sure that students master skills rather than simply memorize a body of information is very important. While as a science teacher we do used performance based assessment's on a state level it would be nice to incorporate it more often into daily lessons.
ReplyDeleteI think this program seems really appealing to students and I think it can be just plain out fun for them. I feel anything interactive for a student motivates them to engage. It's also great that the students can work with each other and help another.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great program, but i'm not sure how practical it would be for my students. As a primary special education teacher not only do I require differentiation of assignment which I believe this program offers but also activities that students can work on independently. I have ten students and there is only one of me. I can't imagine my students being able to do these projects on their own. I think this program does offer and engaging method of instruction and learning for students. However i feel it would be better put to use with older students who can read write and type independently.
ReplyDeleteI love that the goal of the program is to have technology literate students by 8th grade. To graduate students who cannot function in society today without technology skills is a disgrace and disservice on the part of schools. In our district, I think technology literacy by 8th grade is a feasible goal.
ReplyDeleteWhen you empower kids to learn and teach about the technology skills they need for their future, I believe that most of them would have a vested interest in learning. I also think the kids would enjoy the project based curriculum, prefer authentic assessments and perhaps make new friends through peer mentoring.
The main reason kids tune out in school is b/c they don't think that the content is relevant to their real life. Technology is relevant, yet it is not often used or taught in classrooms. Another observation; students come to school to socialize. A program like TechYes would support that developmental need in children.
As a fifth grade teacher, I feel that I am doing an adequate job incorporating these skills into my classroom. When students become proficient in a technology skill or tool, other students are referred to them for assistance.
As a parent who has a child soon to be starting school, I would be very disappointed if my school district was not teaching my child technology skills important for her future. TechYes is an ideal model for tech literacy in schools.
The concept of project-based assessment & peer tutoring make TechYes a very attractive program. It would be fantastic if I can incorporate this model into my classroom and move away from traditional forms of assessments. Looking at the program as a whole, I am afraid it will be very time consuming to train the students to be self sufficient. Also, I wonder if there are guidelines of project design - how will these TechYes assignments be different from the projects I'm giving now besides creativity and variety? Lastly, I can see this as an enrichment class and not something a content area teacher can simply "add" to their current curriculum.
ReplyDeleteTechYes offers a curriculum and standards to the tech teachers out there who don't have a set curriculum (IE NYC DOE tech teachers) I have been looking at different ways to create a technology curriculum for my school and this looks like it might help with one aspect in where I am looking. I like the Idea of the mentors, and the peer reviews. I also liked how the students chose 2 projects to work on. Having a choice in your projects is what invests you in your learning. I feel the students will learn the most by being invested and also by having a peer mentor check up on them. I would like to try this in my school as the after school program however I am not sure that is an option at this point but maybe next year when there hopefully wont be anymore budget cuts!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the approach this program takes to project based learning projects. I think it would work well in my district as an after-school program. I also liked the idea of having peer mentors helping to infuse technology into their projects. I wonder if any schools on Long Island are using TechYes.
ReplyDeleteI really like this idea of providing students the opportunity to design their own project based on their interests. The assessment for grading the students is very clear and laid out for every child to see, which means their should be no confusion on how it is being graded.
ReplyDeleteI especially liked the idea that students could choose to be part of the program and parents could come in one night and see what kind of projects their child has made.
Finally, the idea that students are actually educating themselves with peer advisers makes this program so successful. When students are teaching themselves and they are willing to ask for help makes learning a more friendly and inviting atmosphere for the learner.
I had a question for you about the program. If this works for any subject in school, why does science have TechYES Science and no other subject has its own TechYES?
I love the idea of project based learing. Assessing tech skills through a project would need to take a lot of planning and preparation. Which skills are you going to assess? How will you provide the prerequisit skills needed to complete the project?
ReplyDeleteHaving peer mentors is a good idea, but can you pull them out of their classroom to help another class with the project? It almost makes me think that you would need peer mentors in every classroom and the adult advisor would need to work in advance with the peer mentors (before school? at recess?) to make sure they had the prerequisit skills. As this method is repeated year to year, there wouldn't be as much pre-teaching of skills because the students' skill levels would spiral up as they increased grade level.
All in all, good theory.
TechYes is a project-based technology literacy program that includes an assessment strategy and follows the ISTE NETS Standards for Students. There are several valuable features that are included within this program that would be beneficial to schools. Although technology literacy is advancing at a rapid speed, there are still many educators who are not aware of ISTE NETS Standards, and would find the task of implementing a project-based program daunting. It appears that this program is set up to fully support this type of situation. The students share the responsibility of their own learning through peer mentoring, and student collaboration as well as fully participating in the assessment of the project. The literature and video suggest that students who participate in this program score better on a state tech literacy test. This is usually the case when students are engaged in project-oriented assignments since they are more apt to build meaningful relationships to knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see a program like this be incorporated in my school district. I think it would work nicely in a collaborative classroom and be supported by the technology department. At this time, I work with individual students for remediation. I do have students working with teachers in training sessions, but participation in this program would allow for the students to apply their skills outside of classroom and homework assignments.
The concepts of TechYes program have potential for today's students. It reflects on what today's students need to know in implementing technological tools as they are learning. This integration can possibly benefit in motivating students in any subjects.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a constructive learning that includes the effective use of technology through their criteria: gather, organize, construct, and share. Besides those criteria, it allows teachers can customize the certification process for their students. Lastly, I like the fact that students can gain a strong foundation of technology literacy by learning Internet safely, ethics, copyright, searching and citing sources. This is fantastic program for 21 century learners and offers so many possibilities, but this leaves concerns of teachers' time management.
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ReplyDeleteTechYes seems like a great program! Students working collaboratively to learn about technology! We are moving towards a student centered approach and project based learning to better prepare our students for the future. I really like the idea, but wonder how practical it is for some classes, such as special education, and also wonder about the cost and setup. It's a great idea and model, but can all schools move into this model based on their budgets and other constraints?
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