I've had several requests to post the slides from my M.Ed. thesis defense and recent presentation at CONNECT 2015: Canada's Learning and Technology Conference - and I am happy to oblige. In addition, I've added some audio commentary to explain some of the key areas of my research study in greater depth. Feel free to comment or connect with me if you would like to discuss this study further!
Abstract: This study explores the technology procurement process in Ontario’s publicly funded school districts to determine if it aligned with relevant research, grounded in best practices, and enhances student learning. Using a qualitative approach, 10 senior leaders (i.e., chief information officers, superintendents, etc.) were interviewed to reveal the most important factors driving technology acquisition, governance procedures, and assessment measures utilized by school districts in their implementation of educational technology. The data were transcribed and submitted to “Computer-assisted NCT analysis” (Friese, 2014). The findings show that senior leaders are making acquisitions that are not aligned with current scholarship, that districts struggle to use data-driven decision-making to support the governance of educational technology spending, and that districts do not have effective assessment measures in place to determine the efficacy of a purchased technology. The study is meant to serve as an informative resource for senior leaders and presents research-validated approaches to technology procurement.
Abstract: This study explores the technology procurement process in Ontario’s publicly funded school districts to determine if it aligned with relevant research, grounded in best practices, and enhances student learning. Using a qualitative approach, 10 senior leaders (i.e., chief information officers, superintendents, etc.) were interviewed to reveal the most important factors driving technology acquisition, governance procedures, and assessment measures utilized by school districts in their implementation of educational technology. The data were transcribed and submitted to “Computer-assisted NCT analysis” (Friese, 2014). The findings show that senior leaders are making acquisitions that are not aligned with current scholarship, that districts struggle to use data-driven decision-making to support the governance of educational technology spending, and that districts do not have effective assessment measures in place to determine the efficacy of a purchased technology. The study is meant to serve as an informative resource for senior leaders and presents research-validated approaches to technology procurement.