Survey Comparisons

After completing the Technology Applications Inventory check list, I was not surprised to find out that my most proficient area of understanding was that of Domain I: Foundations. I feel that out of the eighteen different questions, I could honestly answer yes to sixteen of them. This show about a 97% level of understanding of the criteria of technology foundations. After taking a closer look at these eighteen foundation questions, I would have to agree with the survey results, and say that this is probably my strongest area of knowledge, most in part to every-day functions in this area. However, due to my subject area, Business Technology, I scored proficient in all four areas of the TAI survey. Not only do I use technology in my classroom, I utilize it when communicating with parents, staff and administration, whether in an email or presentation.
After completing the SETDA Teacher Survey, again, I was not surprised to find that I scored proficient in most areas. I was, however, surprised to not find my subject area on page 3 of the survey. I teach second and third year technology classes and try to incorporate many of the core subject areas in class lessons and projects. I believe it is crucial to apply real world experience in my classroom in order to prepare my students for their technological challenging future.
When reviewing the data from the Technology Application Inventory survey, the results show that in Domain: Solving Problems is by far my greatest weakness. I agree that this is my largest area concern primarily in using interactive virtual environments, like virtual reality or simulations, using technical writing strategies to create instructional guides, and participating in electronic communities. The data from the State Educational Technology Directors Association survey, indicates that while I use technology daily, we are limited due to lack of access to many items mentioned. We are in the process of changing this. :)