Digital Learning Plans are dynamic yet implemented over a specific time period. A process for revision and updating is critical as actions can produce outcomes different that originally planned and new tools and resources become available. In order for successful results to occur, a plan must be driven by the examination and analysis of data relative to all areas. The process is cyclical, at times involving the gathering of initial data and at other times focused on recurring collection and analysis of data.

Evaluation Considerations

Monitoring Process

The plan should include an evaluation timeline and should indicate which district staff will be responsible for carrying out specific steps of the evaluation process. There should be a clear process established to respond to new opportunities that may arise and support your original goals and objectives, to enable revisions of the plan if needed. There should also be a clear process established to collect data that your technology committee can use to determine whether the actions you are taking, as detailed in your plan, are moving your schools closer to achieving your goals. The timeline you established for accomplishing the actions will be a critical part of the evaluation process, and if your actions are not being done according to your timeline, your tech committee should explore the reasons for this situaiton. Likewise, if your timelines are being met, your evaluation of the outcomes of the actions in terms of achieving your goals should also be explored. Your plan should be a living plan and revisions may be necessary in order to accomplish your goals.

Data Collection

Your accountability measures include using the various data that are available to you. There are many data collection resources available to districts for planning and evaluating technology use. Differentiate between data which will inform your committee about the achievement of your goals and data which informs your committee about how the goal increases student opportunity and achievement. Some resources, such as data collection tools, may need to be designed, while others may be found within the data your district already collects. Resources and data collection tools should be customized as needed, to best suit the data you need to support your evaluation plan.< /br> At a minimum, you should build the following into your evaluation plan:< /br> Person responsible for carrying out each evaluation measure< /br> Timeline indicating weeks or months when each step will occur during each year of the plan< /br> Name of data tool being used for each accountability measure< /br> Benchmarks against which you will measure progress

Resources

Evaluation Resources (Sun Associates)

A Conceptual Framework for Data-Driven Decision Making (Mathematica Policy Research)

Developing and Evaluation Plan (Community Toolbox)

Collecting and Analyzing Data (Community Toolbox)

Data Collection (Office of Research Integrity)

Data Collection Methods (Stat Trek)

Developing an Effective Evaluation Plan (Centers for Disease Control)

Writing an Evaluation Plan (Brown University)

Plan for Program Evaluation from the Start (National Institute of Justice)