EDUC 5243: Week 1 Blog

Triple E Framework: Education First, Technology Second
by: Dana Setchell

When I think about technology in schools, it's easy to feel both grateful and overwhelmed. In USD 266 (Maize, Kansas), we're fortunate to be a 1:1 Chromebook district, which means students have access to a wide variety of tools every day. But with that access comes the big question: how do we know which tools are actually worth our time? For me, the framework that makes the most sense is Kolb’s Triple E Framework (Kolb, n.d.). Not only does it align with what our district is already doing, but I also had the chance to study and implement Triple E in my most recent class, EDUC 5313. Implementing that framework in other assignments has given me a good foundation in using it, and I can see how it connects to the this assignment too. In my opinion, out of the options available, Triple E feels like the most practical and applicable choice.

Infographic titled ‘The 3 E’s of the Triple E Framework.’ Three rounded columns with icons at the top. The first column, Engage, shows a puzzle-piece icon and lists: motivates learners, reduces distractions, promotes active social learning. The second column, Enhance, shows a lightbulb with a gear and arrow icon and lists: scaffolds and differentiates, supports higher-level thinking, deepens understanding. The third column, Extend, shows a globe with chat bubble icon and lists: connects learning to real life, builds lifelong skills, encourages collaboration beyond the classroom.
(Graphic created in Canva, n.d.)

The Triple E Framework is built around three simple ideas: Engage, Enhance, and Extend. It’s not about how new and cool the technology is or how many new amazing tools we can pack into a lesson. Instead, it asks us to think about whether technology:

Engages students in learning goals (are they motivated, focused, and actively learning with others?)

Enhances learning goals (does it scaffold or deepen learning in ways we couldn’t otherwise?), and

Extends learning goals (does it connect what students are doing in class to their lives beyond the classroom?).

What I love most about Triple E is how practical it is. There's even a short rubric, with only nine questions, (Kolb, 2011) that rates a tool with a green light, yellow light, or red light depending on how well it aligns with the framework. That traffic-light system makes it simple for teachers to quickly evaluate if a tool is worth their time. Honestly, it feels like something we can actually use in real time, not just during a PD session that never makes it into practice. (Read more about the traffic-light rubric here: Intro to the Triple E Framework - OTAN).

How the Framework fits for USD 266 and Kansas

In Kansas, teachers are evaluated using the Kansas Teacher Evaluation System (K-TES). Which is based on the Danielson Framework (Education Walkthrough, 2023). For us teachers in Maize USD 266, that means our teaching is measured across domains like Planning, Instruction, Classroom Environment, and Professional Responsibilities. Triple E connects really well here:

  • When planning, the rubric helps justify why teachers use the technology instead of just using it because it's available (Domain 1).
  • Engagement connects to how teachers build and manage the learning environment (Domain 2).
  • Enhancement matches with solid instructional practice (Domain 3).
  • Reflection on technology use fits into professional growth and responsibilities (Domain 4).

Triple E isn't just about "another thing" to add... it actually supports the evaluation system we already use.

Relevance: Why Triple E Makes Sense for us Teachers

As a special education math teacher, I see firsthand how technology can either help or hinder learning. Some programs are great for scaffolding or practice, but others leave my 8th graders staring at a screen, disengaged, or worse - finding ways to "game the system" so they don't have to do the work. More technology doesn't always mean better learning. 

What I like about Triple E is that it keeps the focus on education first, technology second. It helps teachers like me filter through the noise and focus on what will actually benefit students. For a district like Maize, where teachers have access to tons of tools but only so much time, this framework feels realistic and doable.

ISTE Alignment

Triple E also connects really clearly to the ISTE Standard for Students. For example: 

  • Engage ties to ISTE’s Empowered Learner standard (1.1), where students take ownership of their learning.
  • Enhance ties to Knowledge Constructor and Innovative Designer (1.3, 1.4), since tech can deepen exploration and problem-solving.
  • Extend connects to Creative Communicator and Global Collaborator (1.6, 1.7) by helping students apply their learning to authentic, real-world contexts.

For me, this reinforces that Triple E isn't just practical, it's also aligned with larger, research-based goals for digital learning.

Evaluation: Supporing K-TES and Danielson Framework for Teaching

One of the coolest things about Triple E is how it could also serve as evidence in our teacher evaluations. A completed rubric could be an artifact for planning or reflection (especially for teachers in their evaluation period for KEEP), showing how tech choices were intentional and tied to student outcomes. Not only is it helpful for administrators... it’s helpful for us as teachers to look back and reflect on what worked and what didn’t.

References:

Canva. (n.d.). [Infographic of the Triple E Framework created by Dana Setchell using Canva elements]. Canva. https://www.canva.com

Education Walkthrough. (2023, July 14). Navigating the evaluation landscape: A state-by-state guide to teacher evaluation systems in the US. https://educationwalkthrough.com/navigating-the-evaluation-landscape-a-state-by-state-guide-to-teacher-evaluation-systems-in-the-us/#:~:text=The%20evaluation%20process%20includes%20four,%2C%20instruction%2C%20and%20professional%20responsibilities

International Society for Technology in Education. (2016). ISTE standards for students. ISTE. https://iste.org/standards/students

International Society for Technology in Education. (2017). ISTE standards for educators. ISTE. https://www.iste.org/standards/for-educators

Kansas State Department of Education. (n.d.). Kansas educator evaluation protocols (KEEP) districts. KSDE. https://www.ksde.gov/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Teacher-Licensure-TL/Educator-Evaluations/KEEP-Districts

Kolb, L. (2011). Educational technology value evaluation rubric. Triple E Framework. https://www.tripleeframework.com/uploads/2/2/8/7/2287991/educationaltechnologyvalueevaluation__2___1_.pdf

Kolb, L. (n.d.). Triple E Framework. Triple E Framework. https://www.tripleeframework.com/

Outreach and Technical Assistance Network. (n.d.). Introduction to the Triple E Framework. OTAN. https://otan.us/Resources/WebBasedClassActivity/Details/30

Comments

  1. Carissa GAugust 24, 2025 at 8:22 PM

    You did a great job providing detail on how this framework would be a good fit for your district. I also chose the Triple E Framework. I like how focus is put on learning goals as opposed to specific digital tools. With so many options to choose from, I think this will be beneficial for teachers and students so the tools that are chosen will help to support the objectives that are being taught.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ben KapuyaAugust 24, 2025 at 9:31 PM

    Thank you for sharing your blog about this framework tool. It is very informative especially for its application for US266 and Kansas. Also about how Triple E can serve for evaluating the teachers.

    ReplyDelete

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