Technology Plans
Our group believes it is imperative the school implement a strategic technology plan before implementing technology standards within the school.
• The plan should be aligned with the county strategic plan.
• The plan should be coherent and explain how the technology will be beneficial to the student’s learning process.
• There needs to be a measurable assessment for the student’s achievement.
• Timelines for replacing and replenishing outdated materials and equipment.
• Relevant professional development for accessible technology within the school.
• The plan should include a detailed budget for all technology needs.
We need to determine how technology is being facilitating student achievement and productivity. Instead of placing the emphasis on how much technology is in the school, administrators should focus on how the technology is influencing the learning process.
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I agree with your premise about the need for a plan prior to implementation. Given the resource issues in our poorer districts, the plan is not supported with budget–or if it is the budget is the first to go.
In addition, few seem to know that plans are already in place…getting dusty somewhere on a flash drive or shelf..
In one local district, there is a set of emerging technology tools in every school that has not been used.
Linked to the plan must be budget and training.
In addition, the basic services in technology are very weak, leaving teachers not confident in support. Some teachers can’t get very appropriate web-sites to load in their classrooms since they have been blocked or even get email to work on a regular basis.
I agree that technology should be positively impacting student achievement and facilitating instructional delivery. The best laid technology plans are useless if no one is aware that they exists. Without a plan that focuses on at least the two components outlined, plans could prove to be ineffective.
Too much emphasis has been placed on acquiring the newest technology but little provisions are made for training staff to obtain the optimum use of the technology purchased. Also as mentioned technology is not well maintained, repaired or replaced. Items purchased are sometimes not compatible with existing technology. When that happens often the items sit in boxes collecting dust. That is a prime example of poor management of funds. A knowledgeable technology team should be consulted before making technology purchases. Hidden cost such as training and maintenance should be budget in advance and will increase the use of technology.
I agree with your idea that teachers need to confident in their support about technology. There is nothing worse than getting ready to use technology in the classroom and it won’t work. We were just discussing in our book club the fact that a plan B is always necessary while using technology in case the technology isn’t working. It is also extremely important for the administrators to make sure the teachers have ample opportunities to learn the new technology placed in their classrooms.
It is the administrations job to make sure all faculty and staff are aware of the technology plan and its use in the school setting.
Thanks for your responses! As administrators we need to ensure that we develop practical and responsible technology plans. We need to remember budget for new equipment but also allow a great portion of the funds to go to training teachers to effectively use the equipment in their classrooms and to repair, replace and update existing equipment. Teachers will not use the equipment if they do not feel comfortable using it.
Going along with all the other comments, I think that it is imperative as school administrators to listen to our teachers when it comes to technology. I think that all of us have seen instances where technology is implemented and then not used. More than likely this is a result of non-teacher “experts” deciding what it is that teachers need without consulting with the teachers. I think that a little communication with those that are on the front lines could make technology implementation much more efficient.