Prescribing Action |
As the teams begin to operationalize your technology plan, be address the following points in each topic area. They reflect the experience of school districts from around the country that have implemented technology plans.
Facilities
| Location, including whether the computers will be on portable tables, in stationary labs, or set up singly or as multiple units in classrooms. |
| Space, climate control, classroom phone lines and cables, lighting, electrical requirements, furniture, storage, and floors. |
| Required or desired changes in the buildings - air conditioning, security, etc. |
Support
| Professional Development | Hands-on training | Follow-up training |
| Incentives | Tutorials | Help-desk support. |
Budget
| Capital budget - the amount of money needed for equipment and software purchases and facilities. |
| Operational budget - moneys required for maintenance, security, personnel, salaries, utilities, services and repair, and ongoing staff development costs. |
Educational Objectives
| How these technological changes will help students learn and teachers teach more effectively and efficiently. |
| Content - The content specific information that is the reason to use the technology. |
| How the new technology will be integrated into the existing curriculum. |
| What you will be able to achieve with the technology that you cannot achieve without it. |
Future Proofing
| How the technology plan can be made dynamic and flexible in order to address changing district goals. |
| How the technology plan will be implemented in coherent, sequential phases. How your network will grow if all items are not to be purchased or implemented at the same time. |
.Technology Specifications
| Network - How the information gets there. |
| Hardware - What equipment you need to manipulate the information. |
| Software - The programs and configurations needed to achieve the educational and administrative visions. |
In a recent SPA Report it was noted that specific characteristics of the learning environment help to maximize the benefits of educational technology, these include:
| District-level involvement and the leadership of a school-level computer coordinator are key factors in developing a school environment conducive to effective use of technology. |
| Teachers are more effective after receiving extensive training in the integration of technology with the curriculum. |
| Exemplary computer-using teachers benefit from a social network of other computer-using teachers at their school. |
| Exemplary computer-using teachers typically have smaller class sizes and more funds available for software acquisition. |
| Teachers should carefully plan, and actively participate in, learning activities that incorporate tool software. Before students use database software independently, they should be given search strategy training. |
| Teachers should offer students self-directed learning experiences and activities that encourage self-expression. |
| Students benefit from personal interaction among class members. |
In this
Module:
| Strategic Planning Tools | Technology Planning Tools | Planning Resources |
In the
Toolkit:
| Toolkit Home Page | Why Change? | Why Technology? |
| Planning | Policy | Curriculum and Assessment |
| Community Involvement | Facility Planning | Funding |
| Prof'l and Ldrship Development |