IT Sustainability: Can we afford to have technology in schools? Can we afford not to? Presented by: Peter Fujiwara

Presentation Objectives Setting the stage… Setting the stage… –Is IT important? Why? –Our history of IT in education –The erosion of quality – why? Sustainability… Sustainability… –Characteristics of sustainability –Do we have these characteristics in our district?

Presentation Objectives Is there hope or despair? Is there hope or despair? –What are the problems? –Are there solutions? What can I do? What can I do? –As a teacher –As an IT leader –As an administrator

Setting the Stage… Is IT important? Is IT important? –Where do we see IT? –Do our students use IT? –Will they need to understand IT in the future? –Is IT just a tool?

Setting the Stage… Our history of IT in education Our history of IT in education –As a subject –As a subject in many areas –As a tool? –As an integrated, medium

Setting the Stage… Erosion of Quality Erosion of Quality –Increasing demands –Decreasing budgets –Reduced lifecycles –Lack of training –Lack of planning –Lack of sustainability

Sustainability Characteristics of IT Sustainability Characteristics of IT Sustainability –A clearly articulated vision linked to mission (currency, access, equity) –A strategic plan based on mission outcomes –Funding based on operational not capital –Assessment metrics in place to determine success –Human resource sustainability – do you reward your people for work

Sustainability Do we have these characteristics in our district? Do we have these characteristics in our district? –Does your IT budget vary from year to year? –Can you state what the vision is for your district with regard to IT? –Do your school computers function 90% of the time? –Do you know when your next hardware refresh is? –Are you using the latest software? –Is the training your teachers receive built upon year after year? –Do you reward your staff for work well done or extra work performed?

Is there hope or despair? What are the problems? What are the problems? –Fundamental funding issues –What would happen to the IT budget given 4% teacher raise in salary?

Is there hope or despair? What are the problems? What are the problems? –Traditional models of IT implementation (all capital expenditures) –Traditional models of support, maintenance and training –No value placed on the goals of IT in education – is it important just to have IT or to effectively use IT

Is there hope or despair? Potential Solutions Potential Solutions –Shift in philosophy – understanding that private sector paradigms don’t work in the public sector –Understanding of sustainability – funds spent today should build on tomorrow –Funding model that works – determine the benefit of education with IT and fund effective implementation appropriately

Some examples, some thoughts Windows 2000 Server Windows 2000 Server Microsoft School Licensing Microsoft School Licensing SMS, ANAT SMS, ANAT Linux? Linux? A Cellular model…. A Cellular model…. Reward your people Reward your people