GSB Upper School Technology survey

   Over the last couple of weeks, GSB Upper School students have had an opportunity to self-assess their technology skills.  I've created and used an online survey students can complete and submit to gather data.  When final results are tabulated, we'll have more detailed information about the technology skills our students have and the missing skills that need to be addressed.
   Here's a look at part of the survey:

   Several of the questions (#2-5) ask students to assess their comfort level with systems or software.  In each of these cases, there's an assumption that students are familiar with the listed topic.  Though comfort level can be hard to quantify, patterns of comfort or need should be quickly evident as results are examined.

   Questions #7-17 get at more specific skills.  A highly competent technology user would answer "yes" to each question.  It's unlikely many students in the upper school will feel fully competent in each of these areas, and it's really not expected either.  But these skills are broadly used across many academic disciplines and students will be well served to have a strong technology skill set at their disposal.

   When the survey is complete and results are examined, our next step will be to look for what we see as the largest problem areas.  If, for instance, 75% of our students said they did not know how to use file sharing software and did not know how to create an infographic, I would start by addressing the lack of file sharing understanding.  It's a more basic skill.  

   Following an identification of skill shortcomings, it makes sense to work with faculty to decide how best to integrate technology skills into the curriculum.

   Moving forward, the Middle School and Lower School can be similarly assessed.