This document provides guidelines for developing a technology use plan for a school district. It recommends forming a committee with representatives from various stakeholder groups to evaluate current technology use, assess needs, create a vision statement and goals, determine professional development needs, and develop an implementation timeline and evaluation strategy. The plan should address instructional technology, software, assistive technology, standards, and staff training. It suggests evaluating the plan annually and specific sections monthly and weekly to ensure goals and objectives are being met.
Technology planning can be the catalyst used to enhance a school’s vision for the future, to strengthen its learning goals and to help realize its mission. The technology planning process itself must weigh the relationship between technology investments and student growth to be deemed successful. Technology planning requires that schools be willing to make substantial investments in time, resources, and support. The information provided on this website will focus on the essential elements of technology planning, which will include: (a) how to establish a vision statement (b) how to assess the schools technology needs to establish target area goals to improve learning, (c.) how to create effective professional development resources to increase the use of technology in the classroom, and (d.) how to support existing technological resources through funding and maintenance.
Technology planning can be the catalyst used to enhance a school’s vision for the future, to strengthen its learning goals and to help realize its mission. The technology planning process itself must weigh the relationship between technology investments and student growth to be deemed successful. Technology planning requires that schools be willing to make substantial investments in time, resources, and support. The information provided on this website will focus on the essential elements of technology planning, which will include: (a) how to establish a vision statement (b) how to assess the schools technology needs to establish target area goals to improve learning, (c.) how to create effective professional development resources to increase the use of technology in the classroom, and (d.) how to support existing technological resources through funding and maintenance.
This research examined five years of data collected from preservice teachers while in their program and at the conclusion of their program.
The research questions included:
What kinds of software/hardware are preservice teachers and faculty using in courses and in PK-12 fieldwork/student teaching?
For what purposes/activities are laptops being used within university coursework?
To what degree is the provided technology training/resources adequate to support laptop use in preservice preparation?
This research examined five years of data collected from preservice teachers while in their program and at the conclusion of their program.
The research questions included:
What kinds of software/hardware are preservice teachers and faculty using in courses and in PK-12 fieldwork/student teaching?
For what purposes/activities are laptops being used within university coursework?
To what degree is the provided technology training/resources adequate to support laptop use in preservice preparation?
Digital Tools for Digital Natives is designed to explore the latest technology tools and solutions available to help schools build 21st century learning environments that motivate and engage today’s students. The presentation will provide multiple examples of media-rich projects, investigate the new world of podcasting, vodcasting, blogs, wiki’s, web 2.0, digital storytelling, and demonstrate ways to integrate these new technology into the classroom.
2. A technology use plan is a organized way to… reflect on current uses of technology. analyze the technological need of our school district. systematically devise a detailed way to meet these needs. Why develop a use plan?
3. 1. Recruit committed team members 2. Evaluate our current technology uses 3. Reflect on strengths and weaknesses of our current status 4. Asses the needs of the population 5. Create a vision statement 6. Develop goals and objectives 7. Determine professional development needed 8. Create a timeline 9. Develop a strategy for plan evaluation What are the steps in developing a technology use plan?
4. Who should be part of the team and planning process? Representatives from all demographics that are effected by our level of technology such as... Parents Administrators Teachers Technology Staff Students Auxiliary Staff Board Members Other Community Members
5. Current uses and beliefs Professional interests Level of knowledge Hardware and Software issues Knowledge of Standards (NETS) Students as well as Teachers and other staff. Sample Survey: http://www.surveyconsole.com/console/TakeSurvey?id=516623 What needs should be addressed in the assessment instrument?
6. Questions to consider What is the vision for technology in your school district or school? Does this include technology that includes universal design features and assistive and accessible technology? How does your vision for technology support your overarching vision and mission for students and teachers in the school? Emmett School District’s vision and mission statement (Minnesota Department of Education, Technology Planning Guide pg.16) Vision Statement
7. “In the Bellingham School District, the learning community will be technologically literate life-long learners. Learners will be able to interact successfully in a technological environment to achieve their personal, education, and workplace goals. They will skillfully use technology to access, retrieve, and use information school-wide, community-wide, nationally, and internationally.” (Bellingham Public Schools Technology and Learning Implementation Plan, pg.4) Sample Vision Statement
8. Goals The big picture What the end result will be When all of the objectives are met, then that goal is met Objectives Break down the goal into smaller obtainable actions Specifics: who and what will be accomplished Can be broken down further into benchmarks Benchmarks Very specific Includes dates to be completed by Easy to monitor progress Goals and Objectives
9. Sample Goals and Objectives Goal 3: Use technology to support the academic and technological progress of all students Objective 3.1: Maintain and/or expand accessibility of technology to all students, including GATE, Title 1, ELL, SDC, and RSP. Benchmark 3.1a: By June 2005, school site administrators will ensure that all special students populations have current and/or expanded accessibility to technology Newhall School District, Technology Use Plan (pg. 9)
10. Needs assessment will help guide Instructional Technology Internet based teaching Software for specific curriculum and content area Assistive Technology School Master Google Office products Technology Standards Effective Procedures for Implementation Other Resource: Newhall School District Plan: “The Design Elements for High Quality Professional Development” (pg. 14) Suggestions for Staff Development
12. 3 levels of evaluation Level one: Annual evaluation of overall plan Level two: Monthly evaluation of one or two sections of the plan Level three: Weekly evaluation of subsections of one specific section of the plan. Example: November will be for evaluating our needs assessment: examine current, strengths and weaknesses, and future improvement of. Every week in November, rewrite a different section of needs assessment to reflect the above findings. How will the evaluation be structured?
13. Minnesota Department of Education, Technology Planning Guide (PDF File) Bellingham Public Schools, Technology and Learning Implementation Plan (PDF File) Newhall School District, Technology Use Plan (PDF File) Pajaro Valley Unified School District Technology Plan -2008-20011 (PDF File) References
14. Valora Hodges Emmett School District #221 601 E. Third Street Emmett, Idaho 83617 (208) 870-5701 vhodges@isd221.net last update: 11/1/2008 Contact Information