Here's how you can assess the impact of new technology on your teaching.

1 Gauge Goals

Before introducing any new technology, clearly define what you hope to achieve with it. Are you looking to improve engagement, facilitate collaborative learning, or provide more personalized feedback? By setting specific goals, you can create a benchmark against which to measure the technology's impact. This step is about aligning the technology with your teaching objectives and ensuring that it serves a purpose beyond its novelty.

2 Monitor Metrics

Once your goals are set, determine the metrics you’ll use to assess progress. This could involve tracking student participation rates, analyzing test scores, or collecting feedback on student satisfaction. Choose metrics that are most relevant to the goals you've established. Remember, qualitative data can be just as valuable as quantitative when it comes to understanding the nuanced ways technology affects learning.

3 Student Feedback

Listening to your students can provide invaluable insights into how new technology is impacting their learning experience. Create surveys or hold focus groups to gather their thoughts and feelings about the tools you've implemented. Pay attention to both the positive and negative feedback, as it will help you fine-tune your approach and decide whether the technology is worth further investment.

4 Reflect Regularly

Regular reflection on your teaching practices is essential when assessing new technology. Consider keeping a teaching journal where you can note observations about how your lessons are going with the new tools. Reflect on what's working well and what might need adjustment. This ongoing process of reflection will help you stay attuned to the impact of technology on your teaching and students' learning.

5 Peer Perspectives

Engaging with your colleagues can provide a broader perspective on the impact of new technology. Share experiences, challenges, and successes with other educators either informally or in professional learning communities. Their insights can help you see the bigger picture and may offer new strategies for using technology more effectively in your own teaching.

6 Evolve Effectively

Finally, be prepared to evolve your use of technology based on the assessments you’ve conducted. If certain tools aren't meeting your goals, don't be afraid to phase them out and try others. Technology in education is not one-size-fits-all, and what works for one teacher or class may not work for another. The key is to remain flexible and responsive to both the data and your students' needs.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?