The Product
Step by Step is software that identifies “tags” within various media and document files in order to separate and organize those files as desired by the user. This software is designed to aid users in the fast conversion of physical artifacts into digital, and in sorting and filing those digital artifacts for easy access and sharing.
The Rationale
Staying up to date with teaching technology can be a daunting task.Many teachers enjoy working with the freedom of being unplugged from technology. |
Many teachers are excited to incorporate new teaching methods and new technology into their classroom. Yet a teacher’s time is finite, and despite the large push for education and teachers to adapt to the technological age, the change can come slowly. The greatest technological benefit for a teacher comes from whatever can be the most helpful, while requiring the least amount of time to learn and operate. Some teachers are not ready for mass change to their practice. While some applications and software like FreshGrade and Google Classroom offer the opportunity for vast changes to the education experience, some teachers choose to dabble in progress in smaller steps, becoming increasingly more proficient with technology as they become more comfortable. Step by Step aims to help that transition by swiftly and easily allowing teachers to transfer physical artifacts of learning into digital artifacts that can be stored, shared, and displayed as the user sees fit. This process will significantly cut down on time sorting assessment, physical space to store assessment, and will allow teachers a solid platform by which to comfortably proceed – or not – to the next level of their teaching.
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How It Works
The free version of the software will be based on a user’s computer. When teachers are looking to digitize an artifact, they simply attach a visual tag to that artifact. This tag will be a series of numbers or letters, like a student number. Audio and video artifacts will be identified by voice recognition with in the Step by Step software and the verbalization of the same tag at the beginning of the clip.
Once artifacts are digitally captured, they are uploaded to the software, which then examines each of the separate tags within the file and separates the artifacts into corresponding folders stored on the user’s computer. With this technological capability, the Step by Step software system will allow users to scan large loads of documents, and from one media file like a PDF or jpeg, automatically separate and file each individually tagged assignment. Assessment and feedback can be provided on physical artifacts, then quickly and effortlessly be scanned, separated, and stored for future use. No more abandoned or forgotten projects and assessments, and no more physical space being needlessly consumed. A paid version of the software will allow for users to upload directly to their online account, where files can be stored and shared. Future iterations of the software will allow for greater sharing capabilities between teachers, students, parents, and other teachers, all through the online platform. Greater functionality for developing and maintaining e-portfolios for students, teachers, and schools, as well as robust assessment generators for teachers will be a focus for development. |
Simply tag an artifact with a number.Tags are recognized in PDF, JPEG, audio, or video files.Rubrics and other assessment can be scanned and sorted as well. |