Improving Administrators' Education Technology Discovery and Selection

During Phase I (completed in 2016), the project team developed a prototype of Concierge, including the front end user interface, needs assessment, portal for education technology products, and an information management system. At the end of Phase I, the research team conducted a pilot study with 10 administrators who were tasked with selecting a learning management system. Administrators reported that the prototype functioned as intended, improved understanding of the types of technologies that may address needs, and saved time in researching information. In Phase II, the team will fully develop the architecture of the platform to host diverse products, a filter to sort the products by relevant school characteristics and needs, and a portal for administrators to evaluate products that have been selected and implemented. After development is complete, the research team will conduct a pilot study to assess the feasibility and usability, fidelity of implementation, and the promise of the platform for supporting administrators in selecting education technology products. The pilot study will include 50 administrators, half of whom will use the platform. The study will investigate whether the platform improves administrators' knowledge and decision making on what education technology product to use in schools.