Using Kathy Schrock's Software Evaluation Form along with the NETS Educational Software Evaluation Form, I cobbled together my own little rubric for assessing tools that might enhance teacher-to-teacher induction and mentoring activities. Since my focus is on web-based tools, many of the common evaluation criteria just didn't seem applicable.
I recast bits and pieces of both forms into a series of questions. But I wonder if there are new questions that I haven't even considered? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
So far, these are the factors I will consider when reviewing tools for online mentoring:
- Technical quality: Is it accessible, installable, operational? What is the start-up/registration process like? (simple, difficult, time consuming)
- Documentation: Where is tech support?
- License terms: Do they apply?
- Cost: How much to acquire and to train/support staff?
- Scalability: Does it scale by numbers of users, documents, posts, etc.?
- What are the system requirements (memory, OS)?
- Are there any additional requirements (hardware or software)?
- Design: Is the user interface attractive and intuitive?
- Reliability: Is it bug free?
- Usability: How “friendly” is it? How easy to use? What is the learning curve? Basic? Intermediate? Advanced? Are there testimonials?
- User features: What are they?
What do you think?
Hi there, I am a lecturer in midwifery and PhD candidate looking at e-mentoring for health professionals. One of the things I would want to look at in my evaluation is how people develop their relationship and how much, if any, outside support/moderation was required. Cheers Sarah
ReplyDeleteSarah,
ReplyDeleteThose are good suggestions. The more I read about eMentoring and virtual learning communities, the more sensitized I am to the need for a moderator.
Thanks!
Hi Jennifer--enjoyed our discussion yesterday! I think you are gaining some clarity as to what in the world we are trying to do. It is messy, but it is fun--for me and I think for you too. But, we forgot to set our (make that your) next due date. What do you propose?
ReplyDelete[...] from some helpful folks and my own background reading, have led me to reconsider and reshape my rubric for assessing eMentoring tools that I posted a few weeks [...]
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