Running

Head: TECHNOLOGY PROFICIENCY PAPER 1

Technology Proficiency Paper

Ryan Lucchesi

Azusa Pacific University

TECHNOLOGY PROFICIENCY PAPER

Abstract
The world of technology is constantly changing, as technology becomes old and
obsolete new technology arrives to take its place. Embarking on a masters program in
Educational Technology is a daunting decision because it approaches technology in a
whole new light. Beginning this program outside of an educational background has
shown that there are many ways to view the tools at our disposal, though only a novice at
the beginning of the term I have now taken the knowledge gleaned to become better
equipped for the future of the program. There is much left to learn between now and
graduation with each course building upon each other a growth is necessary to mature
and succeed in what lies ahead.

TECHNOLOGY PROFICIENCY PAPER

The journey for technological proficiency can be a difficult passage, but it can
also be a very rewarding experience. The term technology is very broad, to master what
this term means is near impossible. One could say they have an aptitude for technology
but this vague term would need to be narrowed down. Being adept at building and
maintaining networks does not mean that understanding code will be simple and easy to
manipulate. In this same vein, being a master of code does not mean that a talent I
possessed for teaching technology to others. To be successful in technology, it is
important to identify where the talent lies and then to pursue that talent. My
understanding in the field of technology has begun with building a better foundation in
synchronous and asynchronous forms of communication as well as the studying and
practice of Adobe Acrobat.
Computers have always played a large role in my life ever since I was little child.
Since the age of 6, when I received my first Nintendo, all the way to last summer when I
built my latest computer, I have had a fascination with the world of electronics. I consider
myself to have a solid foundation in the field of technology but I am not proficient in
advanced forms of technology such as coding or setting up large server stations.
Foundations in Educational Technology started us of by teaching the cadre in becoming
proficient communicators, an area I felt that I had a solid understanding of. My regular
use of email, chat programs, and forum posting had me feel very confident in this area.
What I was not expecting to learn was my lack of organization. I have never set my email
up to be organized into various groups, which we quickly learned how to do by creating a
cadre 26 email group. Email organization led to incorporating other forms of
synchronous and asynchronous forms of communication. Employing programs such as

TECHNOLOGY PROFICIENCY PAPER

Voice Thread, which is an interactive site that allows participants to comment on a topic
through the use of text and voice, notes along with videos comments (Bruder, 2010).
Obtaining a better knowledge on effective communication was important because
conversing with fellow cadremates would prove to be a powerful tool, especially in the
next area of technology that would be taught: Adobe Acrobat. Adobe is a company that
has been present in my computer use for quite some time, being able to download and
open PDF files meant that installing Adobe Reader would prove to be necessary
eventually. Beyond reading PDFs, my knowledge of Acrobat was scant. A slow start of
converting PDFs soon transformed into downloading websites into PDF form to hold on
a more permanent basis. Skills such as creating links, bookmarks, and cleaning up stored
sites became the bread and butter of this area. An intimidating start slowly turned into
confident understanding as we employed Acrobat in multiple ways to alter and
personalize our findings.
The culmination of our course required the use of proficiency quizzes. The quiz is
a basic proficiency test meant to gauge ones knowledge on computers, the Internet, other
technical areas (Technical Proficiency Assessment, n.d.). The Technical Proficiency
Assessment asks 50 questions with a ranging difficulty to determine basic computer
knowledge. Upon completion, a certificate is generated as proof of knowledge. To
compliment this quiz, I engaged in a survey entitled the Technology User Survey. The
survey was obtained from The Innovative Education, which is a site that is intended to
share valuable educational ideas (Nielsen, 2015). This quiz was centered around
completing a checklist to determine if I was a novice, intermediate, or experienced user.

TECHNOLOGY PROFICIENCY PAPER

Though the quiz concluded that I was experienced, I know that there is so much more to
learn in the world of technology and I have not even scratched the surface.
I can say with confidence that my technological skills have grown significantly
since the beginning of the term. I have had to stretch, adapt, and learn in ways I have not
expected. While learning new skills and technology is a huge benefit, the style in which I
learned these skills has left an even greater impression. I know there is a lot more this
program is going to teach us and I am more than excited to learn. Being able to discover
new skills that are applicable in a real life setting is a powerful feeling. The biggest
lesson I learned from the programs we have engaged in, such as Adobe Acrobat and
Microsoft Office, is that if I need these programs to do something specific most likely
they can, and if they cannot then there is a program out there capable of what is needed.

Technology User Survey

Please take a moment to fill out this survey to help us better understand your technology professional
development needs.
Name: Ryan Lucchesi
years

DOE Email Address: rlucchesi@apu.edu Years using computers: 20

Please describe your comfort with technology:

I am a novice user if most of the statements below are true.
(Please click in appropriate box)
General
I do not even know what I do not know.
Im concerned I could break something when I use computer.
I often need help when I use a computer.
When I use computers I get a sense of how struggling learners must feel.
People have shown me a few things on the computer but I do not use these skills frequently enough
to remember them.
Email
I do not know how to use my DOE email.
I do not use email daily.
I do not know how to send or receive attachments.
I print out most of my emails to read them.
Computer Use
I do not manage and organize files well on my computer.
I do not know how to use key strokes to copy, cut, paste, save, close and undo.
I do not use any of the following programs often: Publisher, Excel, PowerPoint, Inspiration.
Internet Use
I do not use the internet often away from work.
Enhancing Instruction with Technology
I use little or no technology in school.
I am an intermediate user if most of the below statements are true.
(Please click in appropriate box)
General
I am generally self sufficient on a computer.
Email
I email almost every day.
I can send and receive attachments.
I read my email online.
I use (or could easily figure out how to use) my DOE email.
Computer Use
I know how to manage and organize files on my computer.
I know how to use key strokes to copy, cut, paste, and save.
I write most of my documents on a computer.
I use at least one of the following programs: Publisher, Excel, PowerPoint, Inspiration.
I could plug in and set up my own computer and printer.
I feel comfortable using a computer and a projector to present information.
Internet Use
I use the internet when Im not at school.
Enhancing Instruction with Technology
I use some technology in school.

I am an experienced user if in addition to mastering nearly all of the skills of an intermediate user, most
of the statements below are true.
(Please click in appropriate box)
General
I am able to troubleshoot problems when others need help using a computer.
Email
I use distribution lists when sending email.
I know how to organize my email in folders.
Computer Use
Files are managed and organized on my computer.
I know how to use key strokes to copy, cut, and paste.
I write most of my documents on a computer.
I use at least one of the following programs: Publisher, Excel, PowerPoint, Inspiration.
I feel comfortable using a computer and a projector to present information.
I could plug in and set up my own computer and printer.
Internet Use
I have (or will soon have) a high speed internet connection at home.
I am a member of a list serve
I have (or have dabbled with) making or contributing to a website, blog, or wiki.
Enhancing Instruction with Technology
I use computers in my classroom.
I design lessons that enable my students to use computers in my classroom.
The survey most accurately describes me as this type of technology user:
Novice User
Intermediate User
Experienced User

Running Head: TECHNOLOGY PROFICIENCY PAPER 9

References
Bruder, P. (2010). VoiceThread: A Valuable Classroom Collaboration Tool. Retrieved
May 23, 2015, from http://www.njea.org/news-and-publications/njea-review/
March-2011/voicethread
Nielsen, L. (2015). Technology User Survey. Retrieved May 24, 2015, from
http://theinnovativeeducator.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/Technology User
Technical Proficiency Assessment. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23, 2015, from
http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=technical-proficiencyassessment