How Do We Know It's Working?

Across the nation, teachers, administrators, parents, school board members, and policy makers are asking the same basic question relating to the value of information technology in schools and classrooms. What it seems that everyone wants to know is "How do we know it's working?"

By this, the public is really asking if the investments being made in classroom technology are having a payoff in terms of improved student achievement and enhanced teacher performance. The investment in educational technology has often been made without any clearly framed criteria for how to measure any sort of achievement related to the technology-related intervention.

Accountability is a key component of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, and thus becomes critical to the state and district-level plans that flow from this federal initiative.

This site provides a variety of educational technology evaluation resources focused on helping schools and districts measure the role technology plays in teaching and learning.

And finally, please note that the area of technology program evaluation is rapidly growing. Each day there are new reports and resources available. EdTechEvaluation.org is committed to bringing you the best of these resources as they become available online. Therefore, this web site is a constantly changing resource. Never hesitate to if you find a broken link or have an additional resource which would benefit others.

Logic Mapping - A Tool for Grantees and Evaluators

A Logic Map is visual diagram that shows how your project is organized to fulfill its ultimate objective. The logic map connects project inputs with project activities and finally shows how these activities result in measurable outcomes. When made part of a project proposal, a well-constructed logic map graphically conveys how a project "works." After funding, the logic map will help project participants and evaluators to understand what is "supposed to happen" and therefore supports the development of reasonable evaluation activities.

These benefits need not come at a tremendous cost in planning time or resources. See our newly created resources on logic mapping for some shortcuts and tips for making this powerful tool work for your project.