Technology Planning Building for the Future

Module Objectives  Review national and state-wide technology planning guides for specific implementation.  Analyze individual district technology plans for learning effectiveness and resource efficiency.  Identify personnel, issues, and concerns involved at each level of planning.

Essential Questions  How are long-range and short-term technology plans created and implemented?  Who should be involved in developing a technology plan?  How does a school prepare for efficient technology use?  What steps are necessary to prepare a classroom for effective technology use?

Benefits of Planning “[ Planning] significantly increases the likelihood of receiving the full benefits of technology’s potential for improving teaching, learning and productivity.” M. D. Roblyer, (2000). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching.

See Resources to preview the National Technology Plan.National Technology Plan Benefits of Planning  Planning saves time and money.  Planning helps to achieve goals.  Planning builds in support.  Planning pays off!

Consider all possibilities... Who Will Be Served? Community Programs  Civic groups  Senior centers  Continuing education  After school programs  City libraries District Personnel  Administration  Staff  Teachers  Students  Parents

Who Will Be Served? Some districts are cooperating with local governmental offices to develop long range plans.  Linking technology infrastructure.  Sharing ideas and expertise.  Providing cost benefits to taxpayers.  Promoting civic growth.

Planning Committee  Representatives from all groups in the district  Members of community organizations  Educators  Technology experts

Planning Goals Defining end results: What are the outcomes that you want to achieve?  Furnishing resources to promote individual learning and student achievement.  Creating opportunities to meet societal needs.  Providing the equipment, training, and support necessary to meet state and national standards.

Planning Strategies Top-down planning is the most efficient and effective.  The top level of technology planning has the most general and global goals.  As you move down the ladder, each level should become more specific and focused.

Planning Strategies Top-down planning  National  State-wide  District-wide  Campus  Content areas  Individual classrooms

View a sample technology plan, then locate your district’s technology plan.sample technology plan Planning Strategies Develop district-wide & individual school plans.  Design a liaison from each school to a district-wide planning committee.  Involve teachers, other personnel, and community representatives at all levels.

Find out more about the grant programs available from TIF by visiting their website under Resources.TIF Planning Strategies The mission of Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) is to :  Provide advanced connectivity for Texas public schools.  Fund technology training programs.  Encourage quality content that strengthens education, healthcare, and libraries in Texas.

See Resources to find out more about the Texas Statewide Technology Plan.Texas Statewide Technology Plan Planning Strategies Consider these effective strategies:  Budget yearly amounts for technology additions and upgrades.  Make funding incremental.  Stay current and build in flexibility.  Maintain a sufficient technical support staff.  Provide effective teacher training.

Common Pitfalls  Not linking educational goals to planning goals.  Not focusing on objectives for technology use.  Planning too generally or too specifically.  Making large investments in untried, new technology.

Common Pitfalls  Having unclear procedures for acquiring hardware and software.  Not providing necessary support systems for:  Storing and cataloging software and media.  Furnishing up-to-date inventories of hardware and software.  Maintaining equipment and scheduling proper back-up procedures.

Take a quiz to see how your school rates in Technology Integration.Technology Integration Be Prepared Many larger districts have the luxury of hiring a technology planning consultant to analyze present and future needs. However, there are over 700 districts in the state with enrollment of 1000 students or less. Administrators and teachers in these districts may be integrally involved in the planning process.

Be Prepared  Complete an inventory of existing technology resources and their capabilities.  Determine if building infrastructure is adequate. (electrical wiring, etc.)  Revise the budget, find more funding.  Begin a hardware solutions review.

Learn about writing effective grant proposals in Resources.effective grant proposals Funding Common funding avenues:  Provide long-term funds by issuing bonds backed by Texas Permanent School Fund.  Form partnerships with business and industry.  Pursue grants specifically addressing technology needs.

Training New Teachers  Emphasize hands-on technology integration methods, not just technology skills.  Lengthen time span for training sessions.  Create one-on-one mentoring and scaffolding programs.  Furnish continuing access to technology.  Create personalized professional development plans for each teacher.

Selecting Hardware Issues to consider:  Platform – PC, Mac, Unix  Networking considerations  Compatibility with existing hardware  Software compatibility  Ease of use  Price  Technical support  Maintenance

Read more about Strategies for Allocating Computer Resources.Strategies for Allocating Computer Resources. Selecting Hardware How many computers do you need?  Administrative and staff workstations  Teacher workstations  Classrooms  Technology labs

Selecting Hardware Computer characteristics:  Type of processor  Amount of RAM  Hard disk drive capacity  Monitor size  DVD, CD-ROM, CD-RW  Modems

Selecting Hardware Peripheral Devices:  Printers (networked or stand-alone?)  Scanners  Large screen projection devices  Digital cameras  Digital video cameras  Video capture equipment

Selecting Software Quality Counts:  Match the software with the curriculum and the students.  Numerous software review websites are available.  Consider the ease of use for the target users.  Before you buy, review the software documentation to determine its compatibility. See the module Selecting Software for Instruction.Selecting Software for Instruction

Selecting Software Licensing and copyright:  There are different licensing structures. Dependent on number of users.  You are allowed to make a back-up copy.  Software does not fall under “Fair Use.”  Software companies can hold districts and personnel liable. Must publicize and enforce rules against software piracy.

 Lab rules and procedures  Maintenance needs  Security requirements  Ethical behavior and illegal access – students need to understand implications.  Monitor and alarm systems.  Security cabinets.  Lock-down systems.  Virus protection.  Passwords. Other Issues

Individual Classrooms Classroom Preparations:  Computers should be accessible to everyone, even if there is only one in each classroom.  Post a list of computer procedures.  Start – up  Network sign-on  Running applications  Saving your work  Shutting down correctly

More on individual classroom planning strategiesindividual classroom planning strategies can be found within Resources. Individual Classrooms  Matching students’ needs with technology resources.  Planning instruction using technology integration strategies.  Evaluating and revising district goals and their attainment along with student achievement.

Individual Classrooms “It takes time and experience to develop skill in recognizing situations where technology may be used with maximum benefits, but the most difficult part is identifying activities in which the benefits justify the time and expense involved.” M. D. Roblyer, (2000). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching.