IT 3210: Work Sample Documentation Tool

IT 3210: Teachers & Technology
Unit Work Sample Documentation Tool

The documentation offers you the opportunity to link technology skills and practice. In other words, how might your students make use of this technology tool in your classroom? In you documentation, you will describe a specific classroom situation that makes use of a technology tool to facilitate or demonstrate student learning.

It is acceptable to use the same topic/tool in your Unit Work Samples and in your Learning Environment Portfolio. However, any feedback given on your Unit Work Sample should be heeded before it is included as part of your LEP.

Sample documentations from an earlier semester are supplied below.

To make sure you provide all the necessary information in your documentation, please use the following headings, and include the indicated information within ieachsection.

Project Name

Name your work sample so that it reflects the context of the problem for which you are posing a solution. That is, don't name it "Database Work Sample." Be more descriptive. For example: "Using the Computer to Establish Key Pals." Remember to maintain you focus on the curriculum, not on the technology tool/skills you students will be using.

Description of Problem

Provide more than just a statement of the curriculum/learning problem to which you are posing a solution. How did you define the problem you chose to address? What is that rationale for the problem? Tell it so another reader will be able to better understand the context for the problem you are addressing. Remember, when students operate in a problem-based setting, they actively use their minds (and often, their hands).

Description of Solution/Process

Describe your solution and provide enough guidance to others that they could either follow similar processes or adapt them. Look to describe what you planned to do and eventually did. What did you discover along the way? What were your options in setting this up? What were the blind alleys? Try to convey some of your insights through the process, not just a list of steps. Along with the description of your solution, provide information on how people (teachers, students, etc.) would actually do it or use it. It might help to write it step-by-step how you would carry out the instruction.

Other Places to Use this Solution

This might include other physical locations (classroom, home, etc.) as well as other audiences (parents, other students, teachers, etc.).

What I Learned and What I would Improve it Next Time

Explain specific tools as well as processes, concepts, etc. If you were given the chance to evaluate and revise your work sample, how would you change what you have done? Give details, including proposing another solution, process, audience, etc.

References/Resources Used

References and resources include everything from people to more traditional sources like books, articles, etc.

Examples of Work Sample Documenation

For all Unit Work Samples:

Using a database to organize..., Ashley Paul, Tuesday section, Spring, 1999

Docmentation Evaluation

Needs Improvement: Sections not included or insufficient description provided in several sections of the documentation.
Meets Criteria: Adequate description provided in all sections of documentation.
Exceeds Criteria: Extensive description provided in several sections of documentation.
Excellent: Extensive description provided in all sections of documentation.

Documentation Tip

It will be easier to document your planning and development if you fill in the form as you complete your work sample. One idea is to always open up your documentation files as soon as you come into the lab (or work on your home computer) so you can reference it immediately and throughout the class.

Updated 14 June 2002.