Setting Goals for Integrating Technology | Origin: ED126
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Integrating Technology into Education --> Setting Goals for Integrating Technology
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Knowing your audience, continued training, and if the IT systems of your organization are able to take the load of a new technology system.
Training is very necessary!
Utilizing technology to aid with patient care.
Comment on Mel Henderson's post: If you do not plan you plan to fail.
Comment on David Chelsea's post: You make a valid point.
Understanding of all parties' needs is important.
Yes alex make a good point when involving experience
I think eveyones buy in is important.
The stakeholders must see the benefit of what they will gain.
Here’s a clear goal-setting framework you can adapt for a technological rollout using the four headings you gave. Each section lists key points you might include in a plan or proposal.
1. Educational Benefit
Learning outcomes: Describe how the technology (e.g., new LMS, simulation software, analytics dashboard) will improve student engagement, understanding, or retention.
Faculty and staff impact: Explain how it will support instructors (better tracking, easier content updates, richer feedback).
Assessment and evaluation: Plan for measuring success—e.g., pre-/post-testing, student satisfaction surveys, course completion rates.
2. Financial Implications
Initial costs: Hardware, software licenses, integration fees, consultant costs.
Recurring costs: Annual subscriptions, maintenance, upgrades, cloud storage.
Cost–benefit rationale: Show savings or value—e.g., reduced paper use, fewer manual hours, better recruitment/retention.
Funding strategy: Grants, institutional budget lines, phased purchases.
3. Training Schedule
Audience-specific training: Separate tracks for faculty, IT staff, and students.
Timeline: Outline pre-rollout orientation, hands-on workshops, and follow-up refresher sessions.
Format and resources: Blended options (in-person, video tutorials, self-paced modules).
Support structure: Help desk, peer mentors, office hours.
4. Rollout Timeline
Phase
Key Activities
Target Dates
Planning
Requirements gathering, vendor selection
Month 1–2
Pilot
Limited pilot group, collect feedback
Month 3–4
Full Deployment
Campus-wide install, full training
Month 5–6
Evaluation
Data analysis, adjustments
Month 7
Instructors should consider the following when introducing technology to their students as part of their course.
Educational Benefit
Financial Implications
Training Schedule
Rollout Timeline
AI has become such a big part of our lives and professions. I used AI recently to teach Foley Care and Chest Tube Insertion (Dry System). The learners loved it.
As I’ve explored the topic of setting goals for integrating technology into education, I’ve learned how essential it is to align technology use with instructional objectives rather than simply using tech for the sake of it. One of the key takeaways for me has been the importance of setting SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—when planning how to integrate new tools into the learning environment.
For example, instead of saying, “I want to use more technology in class,” a SMART goal might be: “By the end of the semester, I will implement two new digital tools (such as Kahoot! and Padlet) to increase student engagement during weekly discussions and measure success through a 10% improvement in participation scores.”
I intend to apply this by carefully evaluating any new tool I consider for my clinical teaching and only adopting it if it enhances learning outcomes, supports diverse learners, and improves engagement. I’m also planning to seek feedback from students on what tools help them learn best. Technology should empower both the educator and the learner, not overwhelm either.
Communication and reaching out to the students to identify their needs with technology.
Instructors would benefit from continuing education when new technology is implemented. Knowing what technology is appropriate for the setting is useful. Teamwork and sharing more consistently. It does take time, but it will be rewarding for the student and faculty.
I'm happy to see I did most of the check-boxes when I rolled out new PCB design software last year in our AMET program. It's not easy to get buy-in from all the stakeholders, get the trainer trained, etc.
I learned that there are a lot more people involved in the process of integrating technology in the classroom than I had thought. For example, I didn't even consider the role of admissions in this process.
Technology can enhance learning when teaching students. Using of videos, slides, online classroom.
Using technology is imperative to teaching and providing students the best classroom experience.
