One new technology we had
problems with in the workplace was Pinnacle Grade. The staff at the school was
against having a second grade book for standards based grading and did not see
the need for it to be purchased. Using the ARCS model we created a grading team
that used the grade book for a year. We helped it gain attention, showed that
it could be relevant with the additional student reports it printed, and proved
we were confident in using it (Driscoll, 2005). The problem arose the second year we were using
it when more teachers came on board the pilot standards based grading program.
The grade book was
miscalculating grades and we as a district determined using a trend calculation
for a grade was not better than an average of standard linked grades with
possible retakes. This led to many teachers being dissatisfied with the product
and we switched back to points and percentages from the four point scale we had
started the year using. This change at semester break has shown us that the
initial reaction to the grade book was not accurate and as more users started
using it the confidence and relevance turned the attention into a negative
perspective. Currently we are investigating using the SIS grade book, our
original one, with the standards attached to the assignments. Our teachers are
comfortable with that grade book as we have had the software for years and have
been satisfied with the product.
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for
instruction (3rd ed.).Boston:
Pearson Education, Inc.
Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing knowledge.
Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing knowledge.
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI can so agree with you, anytime there is something extra to do that involves an extra task with the gradebook or grades in general, the staff feels overwhelmed and they feel like that is just another thing for them to add on to the list of things they have yet to complete. Many times, I would logon with excitement for something new. I enjoy learning new things and shortcuts, but not everyone is willing to change or adapt. Nice post!!
I think it is a right approach to build a small team of enthusiastic people who will learn how to use educational software or management system. Then the team members can share their experience with coworkers. Simple instructions and visual demonstration can increase the number of instructors who will be willing to try the new product. Mentoring and cooperation will help people to be more successful. Frustration or other negative emotions can be avoided.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like there was a lot of planning that went into the adoption of this new software. It is unfortunate that this change did not work out for the district. Do you think that there should have been an additional step to evaluate the program before this current school year began? It might have been less traumatic to halt the adoption if the decision was made before the year began.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting story. I've seen similar cases occur in our district as well. I've seen this come about a lot in online learning, where vendors will come in and promise all sorts of things with their courses, only to have the students and teachers universally hate them as boring and disorganized. There are a lot of marginal educational products out there. It's incredibly frustrating when a staff spends a lot of time investing in switching and learning something new, only to have it be a sub-par product.
ReplyDeleteDo you think this was the case with your staff, or was it more how the project was deployed that led to the issues and eventual switch back?
Melissa:
ReplyDeleteYour post exemplifies the common mistake of change for the sake of change which can be found in many organizations. Exhaustive testing and through evaluation should always guide the decision to adopt a given piece or version of a new technology. In this specific case, the new software should have been evaluated in comparison against the old one with a focus on actual and desired functionalities required as minimum standards for the new one meet.
Melissa and Joseph
DeleteI think Joseph hit the nail on the head when he stated that it appears as if, in your example, that change was being made for the sake of change. I think your teachers were justified in their fears