Smith, Austin

Key Assessment
Part 1: Identification of Learning Problem
Problem Identification
My Key Assessment problem is that teachers are not effective when using their Promethean
boards in a 21st century classroom.
The current state of teaching that I see is teachers using this technology and a way to flip through
powerpoints or just as a glowing whiteboard. There is so much more that this software can do!
Each new thing we display in the classroom helps to grab the students attention which we are
desperately fighting for.
General Audience
My target audience is teachers that use Promethean boards or projectors with ActivInspire
software to teach. Ive gone through several trainings on this software and have used it for the
past 6 years. The majority of schools in our area and possibly Georgia have access to this
technology and students would be able to learn more effectively if their teachers were more
efficient with the technology.
Instructional Goal
The goal of my instruction is to have teachers feel more confident with ActivInspire software and
be a more effective teacher by utilizing the technology available to them. This will help them
develop the key skills in using the technology to facilitate a lesson.
While it is tough to show specific student data showing that there is a need, there is a lot of
research on effective classroom lesson planning and use of technology. Here is an interesting
article showing some information on both sides of the issue.

PS_technology_WEB
.pdf

Part 2: Learner Analysis

Introduction
The targeted groups of learners are the teachers and staff at Mount Zion High School in
Carrollton, Georgia. The group consists of 45% males and 55% females. The group is also
100% white and 100% college graduates. There are 4 teachers (12%) that currently use
Promethean boards and 18 teachers (55%) that currently use ActivInspire software.
Entry Skills and Prior Knowledge
There is quite a range of entry skills and prior knowledge in the staff. Being teachers, everyone
at least has a college degree. Also, everyone has the basic computer and word processing skills.
However, not everyone has experience with the program ActivInspire or writing on a
Promethean Board. Some are new teachers and have never experienced this software. Others
are older teachers who prefer traditional teaching styles.
I obtained the information by asking each teacher what they were comfortable with using and in
which areas they considered themselves an expert. I do realize that the results of my survey may
be skewed toward more prior knowledge than there actually is because teachers might not want
to admit they are ignorant about a certain technology.
After obtaining the results from the informal survey, I went back and used a more systematic
survey and had the teachers rate their level of confidence in using the tools and performing
specific tasks.
Attitudes Toward Content and Academic Motivation
The majority of teachers I talked to about my Key Assessment Problem were very receptive
toward the idea of being more proficient with ActivInspire. They understood how great of a tool
it could be in the classroom and admitted that they never properly learned how to use it and all of
the features. However, some teachers seemed very adamant that they would never use it and
preferred white boards or powerpoints.
Ironically, I think the learners will be similar to a regular high school classroom where some
students are eager to learn and realize the benefits and some students will fight me the whole

way. Its interesting see this since I always expect more from my coworkers! However, these
results are subjective because the opinions were formed as a result of talking to each of my peers
about the previous questions.
Educational Ability Levels
As previously stated, 100% of my learner group has a college degree. However I have noticed
that there is quite a decrease in math competency compared to other subjects.
General Learning Preferences
When asked about general learning preferences, there was a mix. Most of the teachers said they
were visual learners, yet preferred a lecture environment. I did notice that the younger teachers
preferred an online learning environment and most of the older teachers were auditory learners.
The art teacher said she was a hands-on learner which also makes sense.
Attitude towards teachers and school
In my learner group, 100% of the teachers have a positive attitude towards teachers and school.
This is to be expected since they chose their career accordingly! Objectively, this could be a bit
skewed because what teacher would answer a survey saying they have a negative attitude
towards teachers and school?
Group Characteristics
Mount Zion High School is a school where over 70% of the students eat free or reduced lunch.
This is a high poverty area although this is not necessarily displayed through the teachers that
teach here. Also, Im not sure how this would affect the instruction but I did notice that 100% of
our teachers are white.
Part 3: Task Analysis
For the task analysis, I decided to do a topical analysis. Since we needed to make a flowchart as
well, I thought that the flowchart would cover a lot of the procedures and so it made sense to me
to cover the topics in the task analysis.

First, I listed the topics that I thought were important. Then, I actually went through and created
a flipchart using each of the topics. This made me thing of more subtopics and points to list for
my task analysis. It was very beneficial to actually go through and create a flipchart myself.
Task Analysis Outline
1. Reasons to be more efficient with ActivInspire
1.1 More student engagement
1.2 Hold students attention
1.3 More confident in lesson and technology
2. Revealer Tool
2.1 Uses
2.2 Benefits
2.3 How to use
2.3.1 How to create
2.3.2 How to save starting place
2.4 Effective examples
3. Magic Ink
3.1 Uses
3.2 Benefits
3.3 How to use
3.3.1 Layers
3.3.2 How to create
3.3.3 Shortcut

3.4 Effective examples

4. Groups and Pulleys
4.1 Groups
4.1.1 Uses
4.1.2 How to group
4.2 Pulleys
4.2.1 Group first
4.2.2 Arrows or graphics
4.2.3 Movement of pulleys
4.2.4 How to create
4.3 Effective examples
5. Captions
4.1 Uses
4.2 How to create
4.3 Benefits
6. Hiding Text
6.1 Uses
6.2 How to hide text
6.2.1 Type everything
6.2.2 Action Browser
6.3 Effective examples

7. Drag and drop Tools

7.1 Uses
7.2 How to setup
7.2.1 Place image
7.2.2 Drag a copy command
8. Containers
8.1 Uses
8.2 How to setup
8.2.1 Property Browser

Subject Matter Expert

My subject matter expert is Andy Musick. He taught a two year course in ActivInspire that I
completed and taught me most of what I know about it. He worked for the West Georgia RESA
as an expert in technology.

Create new flipchart

Hide Text

Think about a topic or a

unit you want to create
this for

This is similar to to the

magic ink process except
with a play button

Use the revealer tool

to only show the title
of the flipchart

Create captions

Create containers

Remeber to place the

captions over spots or
pictures that you want to
highlight or show text for

Use containers to limit

certain objects or text to
certain parts of the
flipchart

Make sure you save the

place of the revealer so it
shows up like you
planned

Place text underneath

pictures
Use the magic ink to
reveal the hidden text

Create pulleys to
display information
without distracting the
students
Remember to group the
text to the pulley arrow!

Part 4: Instructional Objectives

Terminal Objective 1: To use the Revealer tool in presentations
Enabling Objectives:
1A. To create slides with the revealer tool
1B. To save the starting place of the revealer tool
Terminal Objective 2: To use the Magic Ink in presentations
Enabling Objectives:

Create Drag and drop

tools
Use the drag a copy tool
to create multiple items
that you may need

2A. To be familiar with layers

2B. To use the shortcut for magic ink
Terminal Objective 3: To successfully use and implement groups and pulleys
Enabling Objectives:
3A. To group objects
3B. To create pulleys with grouped objects
3C. To implement groups and pulleys in a presentation
Terminal Objective 4: To effectively use captions and hidden text
Terminal Objective 5: To use the drag and drop tools to enhance a presentation
Enabling Objectives:
5A. To place images
5B. To use the drag a copy command
Terminal Objective 6: To create and use containers
Enabling Objectives:
6A. To become an expert on the property browser
Terminal Objective 7: To define what kind of program ActivInspire is
Enabling Objectives:
7A. To understand all the features
7B. To explain the difference between ActivInspire and Powerpoint

Classification of Instructional Objectives:

Content

Performance
Recall

Fact
Concept
Principles
Procedure
Interpersonal
Attitude

Objectives
1

1,3,4
1
1,3,4,6

Application
2
5
1,2,5

Technology and Content Standards

Standard 2: Teaching, Learning, & Assessment
Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to
effectively integrate technology into their own teaching practice and to
collaboratively plan with and assist other educators in utilizing
technology to improve teaching, learning, and assessment.

2
3

Standard 3: Digital Learning Environments

Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to create,
support, and manage effective digital learning environments.

4
5

Standard 5: Professional Learning & Program Evaluation

Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to
conduct needs assessments, develop technology-based professional
learning programs, and design and implement regular and rigorous
program evaluations to assess effectiveness and impact on student

learning.

Part 5: Development of Assessments

Instructional Sequence
Sequence
1
2

Description
Define ActivInspire and outline our goals
Produce our first advanced flipchart emphasizing on

Objective
7
3,4

annotations and captions

Produce our second advanced flipchart focusing on visual

2,4

4
5

designs and enhancements

Identify the uses of the presentation tools
Design a complete lesson using all of the enhanced tools and

1
5,6

presentation features

Lesson 1: How is ActivInspire any better than Powerpoint?

Terminal Objective 7: To define what kind of program ActivInspire is
Enabling Objectives:
7A. To understand all the features
7B. To explain the difference between ActivInspire and Powerpoint
Assessments: Formative assessment of activInspire using a interactive flipchart. Students will
take the pre-test, evaluate themselves, and report back in a discussion post.
UDL Principles: Multiple means of representation will be used. I will have multiple file formats
with various differentiations. Some will be read audibly and some will have the answers shown
at the end.

Basic activInspire
tools pre-test.pdf

For the assessment in Lesson 1, learners will self-evaluate using the following scale:
90-100% correct: A
80-89% correct: B

70-79% correct: C
0-69% correct: Needs improvement (F). Since this is a pretest, the grade will not count against
them but should be a reminder of how much they need to know.

Lesson 2: Adding comments to supplement your flipchart!

Terminal Objective 3: To successfully use and implement groups and pulleys
Enabling Objectives:
3A. To group objects
3B. To create pulleys with grouped objects
3C. To implement groups and pulleys in a presentation
Terminal Objective 4: To effectively use captions and hidden text
Assessments: Students will create a presentation instructing how to use pulleys and grouped
objects.
UDL Principles: Multiple means of expression will be used. The students will have various
ways they can upload and create their presentations based on different needs.

Lesson 3: Lets add some visual effects!

Terminal Objective 2: To become more effective using the magic ink in presentations
Enabling Objectives:
2A. To be familiar with layers
2B. To use the shortcut for magic ink
Terminal Objective 4: To effectively use captions and hidden text
Assessments: Performance Based: Teachers will create a 5 question flipchart. I will grade the
project using the included rubric.

UDL Principles: Multiple means of representation will be used. I will give the instructions and
examples in many different forms.

Lesson 4: Using these in a classroom!

Terminal Objective 1: To become more efficient with the revealer tool
Enabling Objectives:
1A. To create slides with the revealer tool
1B. To save the starting place of the revealer tool
Assessments: The teachers will comment to each other on the discussion board and I will verify
their posts and communication. They will discuss and critique each others presentations.

UDL Principles: Multiple means of engagement will be used as the teachers communicate with
each other on the discussion board. I will differentiate by allowing teachers to record audio
responses as well, giving them multiple means of expression.

Lesson 5: Creating a final product

Terminal Objective 5: To use the drag and drop tools to enhance a presentation
Enabling Objectives:
5A. To place images
5B. To use the drag a copy command
Terminal Objective 6: To create and use containers
Enabling Objectives:
6A. To become an expert on the property browser
Assessments: Teachers will fill in the blank flowchart.
UDL Principles: Multiple means of representation will be used. The online flowchart may be
read or listened to audibly.

Create new __________

Hide Text

Create _________ tools

Think about a topic or a

unit you want to create
this for

This is similar to to the

_____________ process
except with a play button

Use the drag a copy tool

to create multiple items
that you may need

Use the
_______________ to only
show the title of the
flipchart

Create ___________

Create ___________

Remeber to place the

captions over spots or
pictures that you want to
highlight or show text for

Use containers to limit

certain objects or text to
certain parts of the
flipchart

Make sure you save the

place of the revealer so it
shows up like you
planned

Place text underneath

pictures
Use the ____________ to
reveal the hidden text

Create _________ to
display information
without distracting the
students
Remember to group the
text to the pulley arrow!

Grading:
7-8 correct: A
6 correct: B
5 correct: C
4 or less correct: F

Part 6: Content Sequencing and Instructional Strategies

Instructional Sequence
Sequence
1
2

Description
Define ActivInspire and outline our goals
Produce our first advanced flipchart emphasizing on

Objective
7
3,4

annotations and captions

Produce our second advanced flipchart focusing on visual

2,4

4
5

designs and enhancements

Identify the uses of the presentation tools
Design a complete lesson using all of the enhanced tools and

1
5,6

presentation features

This sequence builds on concepts in a world-related order. The learner will proceed through the
instruction just as a teacher would proceed through planning a lesson. This sequence focuses on
hands-on activities but supplements group discussion to maintain high learner motivation and
involvement. Finally, this sequence allows the learner to self-generate questions that most likely
are addressed by later steps in the sequence.
Lesson 1: How is ActivInspire any better than Powerpoint?
Terminal Objective 7: To define what kind of program ActivInspire is
Enabling Objectives:
7A. To understand all the features
7B. To explain the difference between ActivInspire and Powerpoint
Initial presentation: Have teachers research ActivInspire by going to this website and listing 510 features they did not realize it had. Also, have teachers think about past classes they took as a
student and what some of their favorite teachers did during the presentations. To differentiate,
for teachers that have trouble with this, they can use a K-W-L chart to help access and organize
prior knowledge (Carr).

Generative strategy: Have teachers use the discussion board to tell in detail about their favorite
lesson or favorite teacher and what the teacher did to earn their attention and respect. Also have
them discuss how some of the features in their favorite lessons or classes can be replicated using
ActivInspire.
Also have the teachers read the case study at
http://www.prometheanworld.com/rx_content/files/PDF/EmpoweringExpertLearnersCollaborati
veLearning-169726.pdf and comment on it. For teachers with disabilities, provide audio to
supplement the text while they read along (Elbro).
Lesson 2: Adding comments to supplement your flipchart!
Terminal Objective 3: To successfully use and implement groups and pulleys
Enabling Objectives:
3A. To group objects
3B. To create pulleys with grouped objects
3C. To implement groups and pulleys in a presentation
Terminal Objective 4: To effectively use captions and hidden text
Motivational Strategy: Guide teachers to think about their reasoning for choosing their favorite
professor or lesson. They will answer this question on the online discussion board. Ask teachers
about how comments during their presentations can be positive or negative.
Initial Presentation: Teachers will create a normal presentation on a topic or use one they have
taught before. They will upload this presentation in Google Drive and use the comment feature
to add comments where they might say something or supplement something during the
presentation. Teachers will disabilities might use audio outlining tools (Lott).
Generative Strategy: Next, instruct teachers to work independently to incorporate each of their
comments into a flipchart using either the captions or groups and pulleys tool. They will submit
this to the teacher and also print out a copy.
Lesson 3: Lets add some visual effects!

Terminal Objective 2: To become more effective using the magic ink in presentations
Enabling Objectives:
2A. To be familiar with layers
2B. To use the shortcut for magic ink
Terminal Objective 4: To effectively use captions and hidden text
Motivational Strategy: Now that teachers have created an advanced flipchart with added
captions and words, have them think about particular visual effects that they might have liked or
not liked during past presentations. Guide them to think of tacky websites or videos they might
have seen in the past.
Initial Presentation: Our goal is to have the teachers try using the magic ink to reveal an answer
that they might lead the class to in a presentation. First, we must become proficient using it.
The teachers are going to create a basic flipchart with 5 multiplication problems. The answer
must be hidden and revealed using the magic ink tool. For teachers having trouble with the
technology, provide explicit prompts for each step in a sequential process (Blankenship).
Lesson 4: Using these in a classroom!
Terminal Objective 1: To become more efficient with the revealer tool
Enabling Objectives:
1A. To create slides with the revealer tool
1B. To save the starting place of the revealer tool
Motivational Strategy: Now that teachers understand the tools that they have to use, explain that
sometimes the tools can be misused and become a distraction. This would actually take away
from the learning process and become detrimental. They will watch and comment on (in the
online discussion group) a video that the instructor created. This video will be filled with errors,
misuses of technology and tools, and distractions. It will have a lot of features and visual effects,
but will be a bad presentation created on purpose. The teachers will discuss what was wrong
with the presentation and how they could make it better.

Initial Presentation: After that is finished, demonstrate a good presentation focusing on what
they have used already as well as the revealer tool. The reveal tool can be used to build
suspense, hide things, or help students with disabilities reading text.
Generative Strategy: Teachers will video themselves presenting their flipchart. They will submit
this video to the instructor.
Lesson 5: Creating a final product
Terminal Objective 5: To use the drag and drop tools to enhance a presentation
Enabling Objectives:
5A. To place images
5B. To use the drag a copy command
Terminal Objective 6: To create and use containers
Enabling Objectives:
6A. To become an expert on the property browser
Motivational Strategy: Have teachers think about the best ways to use each specific tool and the
best ways to present their flipcharts. For any teachers that have trouble with technology or
typing, or have disabilities, provide text-to-speech and voice recognition software (Crealock).
Initial Presentation: Instruct teachers that they are going to publish their presentations on
Youtube. They will then watch at least 4 of their classmates videos and comment on them.
Give instructions on how to publish a video using Windows Movie Maker and Youtube. For
teachers having trouble with the technology, provide explicit prompts for each step in a
sequential process (Blankenship).
Generative Strategy: Students will then use Windows Movie Maker and Youtube to publish their
presentation.
References
Blankenship, T., Ayres, K., & Langone, J. (2005). Effects of Computer-Based Cognitive
Mapping on Reading Comprehension for Students with Emotional Behavior Disorders. Journal
of Special Education Technology, 20(2), 15-23.

Carr, S., & Thompson, B. (n.d.). The Effects of Prior Knowledge and Schema Activation
Strategies on the Inferential Reading Comprehension of Children with and without Learning
Disabilities. Learning Disability Quarterly, 48-48.
Crealock, C., & Sitko, M. (1990). Comparison between computer and handwriting technologies
in writing training with learning disabled students. International Journal of Special Education,
5(2), 173-183.
Elbro, C., Rasmussen, I., & Spelling, B. (n.d.). Teaching reading to disabled readers with
language disorders: A controlled evaluation of synthetic speech feedback. Scandinavian Journal
of Psychology, 140-155.
Lott, G. (n.d.). The effect of inquiry teaching and advance organizers upon student outcomes in
science education. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 437-451.

Part 7: Design of Instruction

Lesson 1: How is

Lesson 2: Adding

Lesson 3: Lets

Lesson 4: Using

ActivInspire any

comments to

add some visual

these in a

better than

supplement your

effects!

classroom!

Powerpoint?

flipchart!
Reflect on visual

Watch video filled

Research

Think about

effects that were

with presentation

ActivInspire and

reasoning behind

positive or negative

errors and comment

compare it to

choice of favorite

in past experiences.

on it. Contrast with

Powerpoint.

teacher.

good presentation.
Use the magic ink

Use discussion

Create normal

tool to reveal the

Demonstrate a good

board to tell about

presentation or notes

answers to 5

presentation using

favorite lesson from

and annotate it.

multiplication

revealer tool.

past teacher.

problems in a

Use groups and

Read case study and

pulleys as well as

comment.

captions to

flipchart.

Video themselves
presenting the

Submit flipchart.

flipchart and submit.

Teachers will realize

flipchart.
Teachers will draw

Teachers will get

Teachers will video

that ActivInspire

from their past

more confident

themselves

isnt just a fancy

experiences and

using technology to

presenting, forcing

Powerpoint with

good teachers to

enhance visual

them to critique

bells and whistles.

become better

effects and achieve

themselves. Rarely

It has tools that,

teachers themselves.

higher student

do teachers get the

when used properly,

They will think

attention.

opportunity to give a

can enhance the

about comments

learning

they will make

environment for

during class and use

students.

technology to

incorporate their
annotations into
Goals

self-evaluation.

incorporate those
comments into the
Objectives

Terminal Objective

flipchart.
Terminal Objective

Terminal Objective

Terminal Objective

7: To define what

3: To successfully

2: To become more

1: To become more

kind of program

use and implement

effective using the

efficient with the

ActivInspire is

groups and pulleys

magic ink in

revealer tool

Enabling

Enabling

presentations

Enabling

Objectives:

Objectives:

Enabling

Objectives:

7A. To identify and

3A. To group objects Objectives:

1A. To create slides

recognize all the

3B. To create

2A. To be familiar

with the revealer

features

pulleys with

with layers

tool

7B. To explain the

grouped objects

2B. To use the

1B. To save the

difference between

3C. To implement

shortcut for magic

starting place of the

ActivInspire and

groups and pulleys

ink

revealer tool

Powerpoint

in a presentation

Terminal Objective

Terminal Objective

4: To effectively use

4: To effectively use

captions and hidden

captions and hidden

text

text

Assessments

Discussion board 5-

Create flipchart with

Create flipchart with

Discussion board

10 reasons

captions and groups

magic ink revealing

error video

and pulleys

5 multiplication

Discussion board
favorite teacher

problems
Graded used

Discussion board
good presentation

included rubric
Case Study Review

Video submitted to
instructor

Formative

UDL

assessment using

Discussing posts as

interactive

well as responding

flipchart (self-

to other discussion

evaluation)
Multiple Means of

Multiple Means of

Multiple Means of

posts
Multiple Means of

Expression

Representation

Representation

Representation

Multiple Means of

Multiple Means of

Multiple Means of

Representation

Engagement

Engagement

Part 8: Formative Evaluation Plan

I will collect the learner evaluations from the teachers by creating an online survey through
Survey Monkey. The teachers will be invited to take the online surveys and the data will be
delivered to me.
Teacher (learner) evaluation: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/52GTGPX

SME evaluation: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5JDX9TM

I will also send Andy Musick (the subject matter expert) a version of the survey so that he can
also evaluate the course.

After I receive all of the data from the surveys, I will export it into excel to examine it more
efficiently. First I will look at the data and feedback given by the SME and adjust the course
appropriately. Then I will look at the feedback and comments from the learners and also
consider changing the course appropriately.