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Jezequel KM Needsassessment 8462
Jezequel KM Needsassessment 8462
Kaitlin Jezequel
Introduction
Kaitlin Jezequel, the individual conducting the needs assessment and writing this
synopsis, is a certified P-12 art teacher, currently working at a middle school in the Cobb County
School District. This middle school is considered one of the most diverse schools in the county
with almost equal thirds of Caucasian, African-American, and Hispanic students. The school has
approximately seven hundred students spread throughout sixth through eighth grade. The socio-
economic status of this school is very diverse as well, with some of the students living in a trailer
park or Section 8 government housing, while others live in million dollar homes. This middle
school is also unique because it has a program for students who are deaf or hard of hearing
(DHH). Along with the school having classes specifically designed for students who are DHH,
there are three American Sign Language interpreters who travel throughout the school to various
classes to translate for these students. There is one principal and two assistant principals who
Ms. Jezequel is one of about forty five teachers at her school. Throughout the day, Ms.
Jezequel teaches six classes and has one planning period. Two of her classes are sixth grade, two
of the classes are seventh grade, and two of the classes are eighth grade students. One of these
eighth grade classes is an advanced level art class that students apply for at the end of their
seventh grade year. After successful completion of the advanced level art class requirements,
these eighth grade students will receive a high school art credit, which enables them to exempt
the secondary school comprehensive art class and immediately take high level visual arts classes
as a freshman. Ms. Jezequel is very involved in having her students create elaborate art displays
throughout the school and participating in art shows and competitions throughout the county.
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Ms. Jezequel is also an extracurricular coach for the junior varsity color guard that consists of
This technology needs assessment was created to determine the needs for technology for
the above stated middle school. The first step for this needs assessment was to construct a survey
to send to some of the administration and staff members addressing various aspects of the
technology at the aforementioned school. The survey was completed via Survey Monkey and
consisted of ten questions. The survey link was sent via email to teachers and administrators
early in the semester so there would be sufficient time for data to be analyzed. This survey and
After the surveys were completed, five candidates who completed the survey were
selected to be interviewed about their in depth thoughts regarding the school’s technology needs.
These interviews were completed over a period of two weeks, working around the selected
interviewees’ planning periods and personal lives. Among the people selected to be interviewed
were three teachers, the media center specialist, and the principal of the school. The results of the
survey and interview were analyzed over a period of a few weeks which allowed time to interpret
the collected data and conclude where the greatest technology needs within the school existed,
and how these needs could best be addressed. The interview guiding questions and responses can
be found in Appendix B.
The current technology at the school consists of seemingly basic resources. Each full time
teacher has a county issued laptop. Most of the classrooms are equipped with an interactive
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whiteboard such as a Smart Board or Promethean board. Most classrooms have a printer, but
many of these are outdated and do not work consistently. There are three computer labs with
desktop computers, however, there are not enough desktops for each student in every class as the
class sizes are quite large (most classes have at least 30 students, some have upwards of 45
adolescents on the roster). There are laptop carts and iPads that can be checked out of the media
center, but again, there are limited numbers of these and typically not enough for every student in
classes larger than 30 individuals. There are a few copier machines at the school, but they are
often jammed and/or do not work correctly. Some classroom teachers have purchased newer
technology for their own classroom needs, such as the band teachers who purchased an Apple
Description of Stakeholders
There were ten stakeholders selected to participate in the needs assessment survey via
Survey Monkey. These stakeholders included: the principal of the school, a DHH American Sign
Language interpreter, a general education teacher, four music teachers, one pre-engineering and
technology teacher, and two physical education teachers. The majority of stakeholders selected
would be considered part of the “connections” team at the school. These teachers who do not
teach core curriculum classes typically attempt to use technology as consistently as possible but
are often times neglected when it comes to prioritizing which teachers should be allocated
technology resources. One general education teacher was selected; this particular individual was
chosen because she has experience using the Read 180 program which incorporates technology,
and her professional opinion of technology at our school was considered important. A DHH
interpreter was selected to complete the survey because the DHH department’s technology needs
may be unique; this drove the decision to include a DHH representative in the study. And finally,
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the principal of the school was selected to participate in the survey. This principal is new to the
school and the hope was that he would lend fresh eyes to assessing the current technology
utilization, as well as a new perspective to the possibilities of how the school could incorporate
and embed technology in the future. Of the ten stakeholders selected to participate in the survey,
seven out of ten were women, seven out of ten were Caucasian, and eight out of ten have been
these teachers are music teachers whose use of technology in their classroom may look totally
different than a general education classroom. While they are able to use devices for metronomes
and matching pitch, they often feel like they are left out of the equation when technology needs
in the building are being determined. For example, these music classrooms were not equipped
with an interactive whiteboard when the majority of other classrooms at our school have this
type of technology. One of the teachers interviewed is the pre-engineering and technology
teacher who voiced her concerns to the previous administrative team regarding a glaring lack of
functioning technology in her room. Her classroom is equipped with computers, however they
are outdated and there are not enough monitors for every student in her classroom which leads to
frustration. Her classroom is also equipped with a 3-D printer, however, the software on the
computers has not been updated to be able to use the 3-D printer effectively.
One of the other stakeholders is the media center specialist who typically is the individual
expected to help teachers who are experiencing problems with technology in their classrooms.
She is a valuable asset to the staff and has been the school’s media and technology chair for
seventeen years. Finally, the school’s principal also took part in an interview. The entire
administration team is new to the school this year, and the principal has big ideas for where he
TECHNOLOGY NEEDS ASSESSMENT 6
would like to see the school grow in the area of instructional technology. Of the stakeholders
selected for this interview, four out of the five are women, four out of the five are Caucasian, and
five out of five have been working in the field of education for more than ten years.
Major Outcomes
Based on the interviews with the stakeholders, there are various technology needs
reported throughout the building. Overall, it is evident that the staff at the school do not feel as if
their technology needs are being met. Although each teacher has specific needs they feel will
help their own personal classroom settings, the stakeholders interviewed do not feel confident in
knowing where the money for funding these technology needs would come from, so there was a
lack of optimism in thinking the perceived technology needs would be met. The majority of
stakeholders interviewed believe that the school district should allocate additional funding to our
school so that newer technology could be purchased and so that current technology could be
updated. If the school had enough computers or working laptops or iPads to accommodate the
large class sizes at the school, the stakeholders would likely feel that the first step in meeting
technology needs had been met. This would allow for personalized learning and improved
performance for all students in all grades, as well as potential for future professional
Priority Needs
The priority needs for this technology assessment are funding for technology, and having
ample technology for classes with a large number of students. These two priorities go hand in
hand. If funding was available, more up to date technology or apps could be purchased for
instructional or learning purposes. With an ample amount of technology available for all students
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to use, more students would have the opportunity to practice becoming more technologically
literate. However, with these two priority needs in mind, it is also necessary that funding be
provided for professional development so staff can be trained to use the technology that could
become available.
Action Plan
Upon beginning this technology needs assessment, the principal invited Ms. Jezequel to
sit in on a meeting with him and Paige Harris, the media center specialist, as well as Michael
Murray, a technology supervisor for the county. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss
current technology at the school and what funding will be provided moving forward. Based on
this meeting, it has been determined there is money coming to our school from a SPLOST fund;
however, this money will not be available for spending until the 2019-2020 school year. The
principal’s main goal is to start mapping out ideas for what technology to purchase for our school
that will last for multiple years moving forward. He believes it is not prudent to buy more
desktops when iPads or portable devices are more conducive to a 21st century learning
environment.
Although money is not available to be spent until next school year, the technology that
the school will be purchasing through SPLOST needs to be selected by January 2019. This gives
a few months for the principal to determine what will be purchased. Based on the interview
results, it is evident the teachers and media center specialist hope for more iPads and or
computers to use in the classrooms. However, the principal believes that portable projectors or
Simplicity Touch televisions for each classroom would make a large difference.
Moving forward, the plan is to continue to discuss the technology plan with the principal
and to investigate funding for professional development. If the school is able to get the SPLOST
funding they are supposed to receive, the teachers will need training on these new technological
resources. By the end of the 2018-2019 school year, the plan is to find and obtain funding for
The survey questions were as follows. Data from Survey Monkey has been aggregated and
2. Do you feel as if the technology needs (for your classroom or whole school) are being
met?
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5. Do you feel as if you, personally, use the available technology to its potential on a regular
basis?
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7. Do you feel like you are capable of solving technology issues without assistance or
training?
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8. Do you feel confident using games or apps (such as Plickers, Kahoot, Quizlet, etc.) in
9. Do you feel supported at our school with using or implementing technology in the
classroom or school?
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Appendix B: Interviews
1. What do you feel our school is lacking as far as technology that would help you in your
Our school has interactive smart boards, projectors, laptop carts and other forms of helpful
equipment but I think our knowledge of how to use the technology is becoming dated. I think we
need resources on new software or applications that could be used in our classrooms.
2. What technology needs (for your classroom or whole school) are being met?
We purchased an Apple TV and two iPad Pros to be more technology savvy. We have a
projector and screen. Our needs are being met at this time.
3. What kind of professional development or training for current technology have you
received?
We only receive professional development on software our county wants us to use. And it’s only
Not sure since we haven’t had money to purchase new technology. Our county decides what we
5. What available technology do you, personally, use to its potential on a regular basis?
6. Explain who you go to when you have a technology issue and what their role is in the
school?
I like to go to our media specialist or put a work order in for our county technology person. It’s
7. What technology issues do you feel you are capable of solving without assistance or
training?
I’m good with fixing copy machines, since they always jam. I can solve most issues with
software unless it’s a nasty virus. I can follow the tutorials of new programs which help me
8. Explain what technology games or apps you have used confidently in your classroom or
school?
I don’t use games in my classroom at this time. We just discovered an app that helps musicians
learn note name and fingerings but we’re still trying to figure out how to incorporate it and still
9. Explain how you do and do not feel supported at our school when using implementing
I feel supported by my school since they allowed me to purchase new technology. I just wish I
had more resources on how to use what I have and how to implement more technology into my
teaching.
10. Explain what should be implemented in our school to make all classrooms 21st century
classrooms?
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I think having knowledge of what’s out there and how to use it would help benefit our school.
1. What do you feel our school is lacking as far as technology that would help you in your
We do not have enough computers and the computers we have are outdated. We also
need iPads.
2. What technology needs (for your classroom or whole school) are being met?
We have a couple of computer labs and several lap top carts for student use.
3. What kind of professional development or training for current technology have you
received?
5. What available technology do you, personally, use to its potential on a regular basis?
I have a first generation iPad but I don't use it to its full potential due to the difficulty of
switching between the iPad and my lap top and due to the iPad being outdated.
6. Explain who you go to when you have a technology issue and what their role is in the
school?
TECHNOLOGY NEEDS ASSESSMENT 18
I usually put in a work order through the help desk for technology issues. If it's a minor issue, I
7. What technology issues do you feel you are capable of solving without assistance or
training?
I can usually solve simple issues myself. Things such as hooking things up, installing software or
apps.
8. Explain what technology games or apps you have used confidently in your classroom or
school?
I use tuner and metronome apps as well as music theory.net for my orchestra classes. I also use
9. Explain how you do and do not feel supported at our school when using implementing
I feel supported in that my teammates and I can share ideas for new apps and other technologies
to use in my classroom. The way I don't feel supported is by the lack of funds to purchase new
technology.
10. Explain what should be implemented in our school to make all classrooms 21st century
classrooms?
I really have no idea but I feel like all classrooms should have either laptops or iPads available
for each student to use. All teachers should be trained on how to effectively use technology as it
1. What do you feel our school is lacking as far as technology that would help you in your
2. What technology needs (for your classroom or whole school) are being met?
3. What kind of professional development or training for current technology have you
received?
To ensure all classrooms are meeting the needs of 21st century students.
5. What available technology do you, personally, use to its potential on a regular basis?
6. Explain who you go to when you have a technology issue and what their role is in the
school?
Susan Elkins. Her role is to ensure all desktops, laptops and printers are working properly. Also,
she ensures programs and apps are installed as needed and complete work-orders on technology
equipment.
7. What technology issues do you feel you are capable of solving without assistance or
training?
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8. Explain what technology games or apps you have used confidently in your classroom or
school?
9. Explain how you do and do not feel supported at our school when using implementing
I do not have enough student desktops for the number of students in my classes.
10. Explain what should be implemented in our school to make all classrooms 21st century
classrooms?
Update student desktops, install and incorporate 3D or 4D printers, teach us more online
platforms for teaching and learning, and install multimedia approach and augmented or virtual
reality equipment.
1. What do you feel our school is lacking as far as technology that would help you in
It would be nice if the kids had their own devices so the teachers would not have to worry about
signing up for a lab or laptop cart. This is especially true the last couple of years where our
classroom numbers are larger than any of the numbers of computers we have in one location. For
example, forty kids in a class while the largest computer lab only has thirty-four desktops.
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2. What technology needs (for your classroom or whole school) are being met?
Laptops for almost all full time staff. Part time staff officially are not given laptops, which
doesn't make sense to me because they are still expected to do all the work of a full time teacher.
There are some part time staff that have been able to get laptops anyway. Projector devices and
you received?
Office 365 training PD course, digital citizenship PD course, about to start the MIE*
I have been the media/technology chair in the school for the last seventeen years, and I can't say
we have one. Through the years, the county has decided what would be updated at the school.
More recently through SPLOST IV, the local school was given a set amount of money to refresh
printers and copiers and a set amount of money to refresh computing devices. I worked with the
technology committee to determine the needs of the school since there was not enough money to
replace every computing device in the building or refresh every copier. The next SPLOST V
begins in January 2019, however, the directives from the county on how the money is to be spent
has not been given to principals at this time. Our current principal is interested to planning for
the needs in the future or five year plan of our school since we will not get additional funds until
basis?
Mounted LCD projector, Simplicity Touch television, teacher issued laptop, software programs
6. Explain who you go to when you have a technology issue and what their role is in
the school?
I feel that our school has several people to go to for help. First, our fellow teachers are a great
resource. Mr. Hofmeister, 7-8 social studies teacher, is extremely knowledgeable and good at
troubleshooting. I, media specialist, along with Terri Terschan, media parapro, can help with
many of the hardware issues of connecting devices and troubleshooting. Some issues have to be
escalated to our computer tech, Sue Elkins. She has admin rights to install programs, submit
warranty calls, etc. The county also has a technology training integration specialist assigned to
every school. Our current TTIS is Kristy Herlihy. Unfortunately, she has several schools and is
only in the building maybe one day per week. Her responsibility is to aid teachers and staff in
7. What technology issues do you feel you are capable of solving without assistance
or training?
I can fix most issues with setting up a computer/laptop with the LCD projector. We now have
rights to install printers on our computers; however, the install will only hold for my login, not
for all users. If another user logs in, and wants to print, they have to install the printer under their
account. I can do some troubleshooting with document cameras, iRespond units. It seems like a
8. Explain what technology games or apps you have used confidently in your
classroom or school?
9. Explain how you do and do not feel supported at our school when using
I do not feel supported in the fact that we do not have a full time TTIS in the building. Someone
who could work with the teachers on an everyday basis to promote new programs, technologies,
and apps.
10. Explain what should be implemented in our school to make all classrooms 21st
century classrooms?
A full time TTIS per school would be a good start. Someone who is extremely knowledgeable
about current trends and programs that teachers could use in the classroom. Forsythe public
1. What do you feel our school is lacking as far as technology that would help you in your
Mobile items such as more laptops and pocket projectors, virtual reality, and items like
Simplicity Touch which are large enough for students to see wherever they sit in a room.
2. What technology needs (for your classroom or whole school) are being met?
3. What kind of professional development or training for current technology have you
received?
MIE Training
This is in development now - I am not aware of one we had prior to me coming to this school.
5. What available technology do you, personally, use to its potential on a regular basis?
None - I would consider myself a novice with technology. However, I am a huge advocate for it
6. Explain who you go to when you have a technology issue and what their role is in the
school?
I go to our technology support staff - their role is to help troubleshoot technology issues.
7. What technology issues do you feel you are capable of solving without assistance or
training?
8. Explain what technology games or apps you have used confidently in your classroom or
school?
None.
9. Explain how you do and do not feel supported at our school when using implementing
The biggest issue I see is funding. Title schools and schools from higher socioeconomic zip
codes tend to receive more monies for technology whereas schools in the middle, like ours, have
10. Explain what should be implemented in our school to make all classrooms 21st century
classrooms?
The MIE training is great. To use this, technology staff need to understand what is available,