Technology Use Plan Mary Anderson 7/29/08 EDTECH 571 click to go to each slide

Rationale Technology Use Plans help guide a district to develop and implement goals that increase student achievement by deploying technology into the schools and classrooms and integrate their use into the daily curriculum.

Planning Team When developing a tech use plan, all parties that have a stake in the successful education of the students should be involved Teachers Administrators Technologists Community members Parents Students

Steps in developing a tech use plan  First step is a needs assessment. Survey all stakeholder groups (teachers, parents, students, etc) in various areas. What do they s What do the parties involved see as important use of the technology. How do they want to see technology used to improve learning.  Identify specific goals for how technology will be used to improve student learning.  Identify hardware, software, network components that could be used to reach those goals.  Identify level of support needed for the equipment. Do you have the people in place to support the staff with technical troubleshooting on site and immediately. Is there a plan for upgrading and maintenance of technology.

Steps in developing a tech use plan  Once all recommendations are in place to meet the objectives, these need to be communicated to all parties clearly and reviewed.  The steps and resources needed to implement the plan should be listed out. Timelines Budgets group/individual responsibilities for certain parts of the plan. Staff development and training that will be needed must be identified and planned for. Time set aside Monies set aside

Sample Vision Statement Technology is part of our society today and our students must be able to successfully compete in this new global technological society. To enhance student learning, integration of technology tools will be consistently implemented within the regular curriculum in all departments. Teachers and administrators will utilize all forms of technology on a daily basis in order to assist students in attaining higher standards. Student will have access to multiple forms of technology to allow them to learn the skills needed to be successful in this new global world.

Sample Goals and objectives  Ongoing staff development will be provided throughout the year in areas of technology integration within current curriculum.  Technology support personnel will be allocated such that at least one person will be assigned per building to be available on site for troubleshooting and repairs.  Funding will be budgeted yearly as computers reach their 5 year life cycle, replacements will be made.

Needs Assessments The needs assessments should address the following: What level of technology integration is the staff/teachers at. At what proficiency and confidence level is current staff with technology such as using computers, certain applications, using the Internet. What do the parties involved (staff, parents, community etc.) see as important use of the technology. How do they want to see technology used to improve learning. What technology is still needed to meet the goals of technology integration into the curriculum. What is the state of current technology. What equipment is available currently. What is the age of the equipment. What is the level of Internet/network availability among all buildings in the district.

Staff Development plans  Workshops that provide assistance in learning the technical aspects of various programs, such as Office applications, graphic software that the district has implemented district wide. All staff would be required to bring content material to the workshops so as they work on learning the skills they use them to enhance or create new materials that can be used immediately in their classroom.  Staff workshops where staff work collaboratively in groups (by departments for example), to create new units/lessons, or adapt current ones to integrate technology tools available to staff and students into these plans.  Staff workshops where a member or small group who has received specialized training then comes back and teaches the staff. (Teachers teach the teachers). Many staff respond better to their own than some outsider saying “hey this is the greatest thing since sliced bread”.

Evaluation/Research  For each goal that is defined, a measurement standard to judge success against should be developed at the same time.  Each year these goals should be checked against the measurement standard set up for them.  Example: Ongoing staff development will be provided throughout the year in areas of technology integration within current curriculum. Measurement standard: Each year each department will have developed 2 units that utilize technology integration in helping students increase their learning. Students will increase their success on the state standard tests in at least 2 subject areas by 10%.  Survey all interested parties (students, staff, etc) regarding what they see as being accomplished in the previous year.

Timelines This is a bit ambitious time wise I admit. Could be done slower. year 1: (1 st half) Planning committee formed of all members from all stakeholder groups. Needs assessments completed, surveys off all stakeholders of their beliefs of importance. Research into possible areas of funding. year 1: (2 nd half) Analysis of survey and needs assessment done. Initial goals and objectives created along with possible measurement standards. Vision statement completed. End of year: Plan sent out to all parties in the district for feedback on current plan. Year 2: (1 st half) Analyze feedback at beginning of year. Make adjustments to technology plan if needed. Begin gathering specifics in regards to funding plans, staff development plans. Prepare bid documents and submit out. Gather input from staff on needed training, staff development programs based on current plan. Year 2: (2 nd half) Line up or create staff development workshops or programs. Begin setting time aside for the training in the next year. Make all dates and plans clear to all parties. Make decisions regarding bids, begin process of ordering equipment. Year 3: As equipment arrives, staff development proceeds. By end of the year staff has plans in place to begin implementation by next fall. (Although it would be appropriate for staff as their comfort level increases to begin implementation of components as the year progresses. Year 4: Complete implementation of plan, equipment in place. End of year analysis of goals to see status of plan. See if any areas need tweeking or updating.