Research-Based Framework

All aspects of the TechPOINT suite of products are firmly grounded in the most current research and best practices. The TechPOINT Proficiency Assessments were developed using cutting-edge statistical techniques. Included among these techniques were measures taken to minimize any possible discrimination towards certain participant groups.

These assessments went through a rigorous process to establish their reliability and validity. They share the following characteristics:

• Items were written by a mix of classroom teachers and members of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) writing teams.
• All items had at least two pilot tests and one field test with large sample populations of at least 400 subjects.
• Content validity: All items were reviewed individually by members of the ISTE NETS writing teams, who answered the following questions:
• Does the item measure only content and skills reflected in the standards (content centrality)?
• Does each assessment fairly and effectively sample the important knowledge and skills in the standards (performance centrality)?
• Overall, is each assessment sufficiently challenging (challenge)?
• Is there a full range of coverage of the standards as well as balance of emphasis across the standards (balance and range)?
• Reliability statistics (KR-20):
• Fifth-grade assessment: 0.85
• Eighth-grade assessment (after two pilots): 0.83
• Teacher assessment: 0.86

The TechPOINT Surveys were developed based on the most recent research covering what school-level factors impact student technology literacy, teacher technology integration, and administrator technology leadership. In addition, external educational technology experts participated in the review and refinement of the underlying model and survey items.

TechPOINT Professional Development responds to No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act technology mandates and the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS•T) to help teachers survey a range of possibilities for teaching with technology through four steps: Discern, Decide, Deliver, and Rediscern. TechPOINT Professional Development offers a series of modules that enable participants to build knowledge, skills, and application potential in planning, teaching, and using data through a technology immersion program aligned to the NETS•T and focused around teacher need and interest.

Feedback from numerous focus groups and pilot testing of the TechPOINT Professional Development course ensure that the needs of teachers and districts are being met. These materials were developed to be delivered using a Web-based, hybrid model, which includes components that are facilitated in a traditional, face-to-face environment as well as components that are self-directed and completed entirely online. This model provides opportunities for collaboration, reflection, sharing, and community building that both past experience and research show to be integral to effective professional development that cultivates a sustained desire to grow and develop professionally.