LoTi
Levels of Technology Implementation

LoTi is a scale used by districts, schools, and teachers to assess the implementation of technology as a means for interactive learning. The LoTi levels were developed by Dr. Moersch and with the help of the CEO Forum on Education and Technology. Target Technology levels, have also been established. The Target for technology is to use computers beyond simple tasks, such as word processing, and begin to use it for experimental learning and problem solving.
It’s hard to assess my own level of LoTi, since I am not a teacher and I have little classroom experience. Upon asking fellows in the field and in conjunction with my own thoughts and experiences, I have assessed a general LoTi level for myself, one that I think would be implemented if I was teaching at this time.

My PCU, Personal Computer Use, intensity is at level 4. I am comfortable with computers, software, and other devices. I am able to trouble shoot diagnose and resolve problems. I gather information from the internet on a daily basis; computers are a part of my life from music to shopping.

My CIP, Current Instructional Practices, would be at intensity Level 3-4. I would most likely start out as a level 3 for a beginning teacher but, would hope to move up the scale to a Level 4, once adjust to the classroom setting. Integrating technology methods, as new teacher, would be easier for me because I am starting from scratch, rather then reforming my current methods.

My LoTi, Level of Technology Implementation would be at Level 2, Exploration. After reading the descriptions of the different levels, this is what I measured myself to be. As the LoTi Connection mentions, technology is a good tool to gain attention, it is not the best tool for every lesson. I can see being at a higher LoTi level with other subject matters but for foreign language curriculum, I find it hard to go beyond the realm of web-based projects and educational games.

I would like the target goal for my CIP to be at the refinement level, Level 6 LoTi, but the reality of this, is many years and many dollars away. The LoTi site provides numerous avenues to explore, evaluate, and assist in integration. The online Loti Lounge, an educational web portal, is funded by corporate sponsors, thus allowing access to public and private schools in the nation as well as being a catalyst for reform in classrooms internationally. The LoTi Connection has a wealth of resources to help teachers with the skills needed to build and provide a technology rich learning, driven by standards. In addition, to numerous surveys that allow assessment of the levels of technology integration in their individual schools, print resources, databases and seminar information is also abundant.
A school can choose to become a LoTi project school. LoTi project schools are schools that make a commitment to technological changes, as well as, to the goals ingrained in the New Technology Infrastructure. They have high student expectations, comprehensive pupil accountability, and thorough curriculum. The benefits proven from this implementation include; academic achievement, strong teaching methods, and appropriate use of technology. I find that being a member of LoTi would be extremely beneficial. Using the online databases to keep up to date with the current trends in education and using their sources for unit and lessons plans could help with the integration process. While thinking about loti and lesson planning, I encountered one lesson that I think is a step towards moving up the LoTi ladder. While visiting http://retanet.unm.edu , a resource for teaching about the Americas, I came across the lesson, Latin American Pals. This lesson allows for students to become friends with and knowledgeable about a chosen Latin American country. By using Internet and Web connections to research the country, developing international relations with key pals, and creating a Hyperstudio stack on each country, to go along with a home page about the project. Implementing a project such as this is a move in the right direction. I found my LoTi experience to be quite enriching and plan to will refer back to Loti Connections in the future to continually assess my advances towards technology implementation in the classroom.