Evaluation of Framework

Framework Selection

Though I do not come from a background in education, it was very enlightening to learn different methods of evaluating how technology can have its best impact when implemented correctly in this field. The framework that I found most helpful and will use to evaluate my own use of technology in my career is the Teaching Innovation Progression (TIP) chart. I enjoyed that this framework takes in both perspectives of the student and teacher to analyze how far they've come along in different aspects of their learning/teaching processes. With this approach, it's very easy to understand progress over time as a person can give themselves a numerical evaluation to place themselves in entry, developing, approaching, and ideal/target level categories. If you haven't had a chance to do so, take a look at the TIP chart to see how learning objectives are organized before I analyze them further.

Personal Analysis

In the first category of Research and Information Fluency, I would put myself at a 4 (4.5 if we're being generous), in the approaching category. At work, I always try to pass along the skill of discovering information to others when possible, simply by showing a person how I came to find the material. However, I am not at the point where I am assessing how engaged people are in their tasks to evaluate their understanding, eliminating myself from the ideal category.

I feel more confident in my skills in Communication and Collaboration, giving myself a 6 for this group, placing me in the ideal/target zone. No one can be a mind-reader, so facilitating a conversation, whether in-person or online, is the only way to ensure everyone is on the same page. Technology has been groundbreaking for this skill, as there are new and established channels for people to communicate with. At my work, a walkie-talkie is a vital open line to employees that ensures everyone receives the most up-to-date information.

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving is another vital ability listed in the TIP chart, and I would rank myself as a 5 in this bracket. As I work in a public-facing position, there are bound to be a few unhappy guests, requiring some on-the-spot thinking to ensure their satisfaction. One issue I come across on occasion is that none of the libraries in our system have the book a patron is looking for. In this scenario, I would first look outside of our system to find a copy, and if this doesn't work, I would suggest a purchase to a librarian so the patron doesn't walk away empty-handed. I always show the person how to do this for themselves in the future as well.

Lastly, in the category of creativity and innovation, I would give myself a 4, placing myself in the approaching category once more. Though there are a lot of facets to my job, many of my tasks are very routine and do not require much outside-the-box thinking. I am able to accommodate a variety of different learning styles, but I have little experience in helping people synthesize the information to aspects of their lives. 

Conclusion

Based on my self-evaluation, it is safe to say that I have some areas of improvement. I fell short of the  ideal/target level in most of the categories because I do not actively assess the impact of technology with each interaction. This evaluation has made me more mindful to do so in future educational interactions with technology to make sure the instruction has the biggest impact.

Image Source: The Way Ahead