TIM: The Technology Integration Matrix | A video resource supporting the full integration of technology in Florida schools

Technology Integration Matrix

The Technology Integration Matrix (TIM) provides a foundation for professional development for technology integration and a common vocabulary for talking about effective uses of technology in teaching and learning. The original 2005-2006 TIM included fifty example video lesson plans. The newly revised TIM was launched in February 2011, and features 100 classroom video example lesson plans, revised and expanded descriptions of student activity, teacher activity, and instructional settings for each TIM cell, focus pages for each characteristic and level, new professional development resources, and indices for grade levels and digital tools. The site includes 25 videos lesson examples in each of four core subject areas – math, science, language arts, and social studies. These lessons were videotaped in classrooms across Florida.

The Technology Integration Matrix (TIM) illustrates how teachers can use technology to enhance learning for K-12 students. The TIM incorporates five interdependent characteristics of meaningful learning environments: active, constructive, goal directed (i.e., reflective), authentic, and collaborative (Jonassen, Howland, Moore, & Marra, 2003). The TIM associates five levels of technology integration (i.e., entry, adoption, adaptation, infusion, and transformation) with each of the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments. Together, the five levels of technology integration and the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments create a matrix of 25 cells.

Technology Integration Matrix Observation Tool

The Technology Integration Matrix Observation Tool (TIM-O) is a tool for guiding principals, teachers, and others through the process of evaluating the level of technology integration within a particular classroom. The TIM-O provides the user with a series of easily observable yes/no questions. When completed, the tool indicates a profile for the observed lesson in terms of the Technology Integration Matrix. For example, a lesson may be at the Infusion level on the Active spectrum, at the Adaptation level on the Collaborative spectrum, and so forth. With multiple observations, the TIM-O helps evaluators get a clear picture of the professional development needs of the teacher to support further technology integration.

Technology Comfort Measure

The Technology Comfort Measure (TCM) is a thirty-five question self-assessment for teachers. The TCM presents teachers with a series of pairs of photographs depicting different ways of using technology in the classroom. For each pair, the teacher is asked to choose the scenario with which he or she is most comfortable. Each photograph depicts a different level and characteristic of integration as described by the Technology Integration Matrix (TIM). After completion, the teacher is presented with an approximate profile in terms of the TIM and suggestions for professional development.