1.
Classify technology goals in a proper domain (technology,
management, funding).
All items
should occur before next school year.
Technology
--Computers need to be assessed by a professional and fixed as needed. This objective will be met when computers are fixed and functioning.
--Computers with Powerpoint and video projectors are provided to all classrooms. This objective will be met when all classrooms have computers, video projectors, and appropriate software. "Technology in itself does not support learning. It can play out its full potential only when it is well integrated into learning environment. The availability of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is not, in itself, sufficient to enhance learning and teaching and in turn, increase attainment." (Summak, 2011)
Technology
--Computers need to be assessed by a professional and fixed as needed. This objective will be met when computers are fixed and functioning.
--Computers with Powerpoint and video projectors are provided to all classrooms. This objective will be met when all classrooms have computers, video projectors, and appropriate software. "Technology in itself does not support learning. It can play out its full potential only when it is well integrated into learning environment. The availability of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is not, in itself, sufficient to enhance learning and teaching and in turn, increase attainment." (Summak, 2011)
Funding
--A line item in the budget needs to be created for technology, to maintain and buy new. This will be accomplished when the budget reflects a technology line item.
--Grants will be researched and applied for. This will be accomplished when teachers and administrators research and apply for grants.
--Arrange funding for a full-time IT professional to be shared among 4 charter schools. This will be accomplished when there is a professional IT person available at least part time to each school.
Management
--Given the disconnect between what management thinks is available in each classroom, and what is actually available in each classroom, management needs to conduct a walk-through with checklist of what technology is available (and functioning) in each classroom. The checklist should include: computers with Internet access, Powerpoint software, video projectors, and any other technology items that are available in individual classrooms (such as TVs and DVD players). This objective will be accomplished when a checklist has been completed for each classroom.
2.
Identify the major steps required to accomplish technological
goals.
Technology
--Computers need to be assessed by a professional and fixed as needed. This objective will be met when computers are fixed and functioning. The major steps in accomplishing this goal are researching IT professionals and their rates, finding one who is not too expensive, but adequately qualified. Next, the professional will need to be contacted and a time arranged for him or her to come to the school and fix computers.
--Computers need to be assessed by a professional and fixed as needed. This objective will be met when computers are fixed and functioning. The major steps in accomplishing this goal are researching IT professionals and their rates, finding one who is not too expensive, but adequately qualified. Next, the professional will need to be contacted and a time arranged for him or her to come to the school and fix computers.
--Computers with Powerpoint and video projectors are provided to all classrooms. This objective will be met when all classrooms have computers, video projectors, and appropriate software. Software will need to be researched and priced, along with video projectors. School software licenses should be cheaper than commercial licenses. Next, software and video projectors will need to be purchased. A professional will need to be hired to come in and install the software and the projectors, as well as mount the projectors.
3.
Develop assessment instruments to test the objectives for the
technology plan. Describe the desired instrument/s under each objective.
Teacher surveys will be used to
determine if objectives have been adequately met. In addition to the surveys, checklists
will also be created.
Technology
--Computers need to be assessed by a professional and fixed as needed. This objective will be met when computers are fixed and functioning. To assess the completion of this goal, a checklist will be created. The checklist will be for each computer in every classroom and the computer lab. A teacher will go through and make sure that the Internet is functioning, that the computer itself is functioning, and that no issues are discovered.
--Computers with Powerpoint and video projectors are provided to all classrooms. This objective will be met when all classrooms have computers, video projectors, and appropriate software. This goal will also be assessed with a checklist. The checklist will ask whether each computer now has Powerpoint (or some other presentation software). The checklist will also ask if each classroom now has a video projector, whether the projector is functioning, and whether the projector has been mounted in a secure manner.
--Computers need to be assessed by a professional and fixed as needed. This objective will be met when computers are fixed and functioning. To assess the completion of this goal, a checklist will be created. The checklist will be for each computer in every classroom and the computer lab. A teacher will go through and make sure that the Internet is functioning, that the computer itself is functioning, and that no issues are discovered.
--Computers with Powerpoint and video projectors are provided to all classrooms. This objective will be met when all classrooms have computers, video projectors, and appropriate software. This goal will also be assessed with a checklist. The checklist will ask whether each computer now has Powerpoint (or some other presentation software). The checklist will also ask if each classroom now has a video projector, whether the projector is functioning, and whether the projector has been mounted in a secure manner.
References: Summak, M. Semih; Samancıoğlu, Mustafa. (2011) Assessment
of technology
integration in vocational education and training schools. International Journal of Education & Development using Information
& Communication Technology, 2011, Vol. 7 Issue 1, p1-18.
Dear Kayla,
ReplyDeleteThis was my favorite line in your posting "Given the disconnect between what management thinks is available in each classroom, and what is actually available in each classroom..." because so often the administrators do believe that because it was discussed in some meeting that the technology has actually been rolled out. They seem genuinely surprised to see some of us still having to use overheads because the replacement bulbs were never ordered for the LCD projectors.
Glad to know my school is not the only one with a disconnect. :)
DeleteKayla, you have specified very clear objectives and goals. However, they seem to be very short-term, one-time objectives. If the school has many non-functioning computers then they do need to be fixed, now. But there also needs to be an on-going process to keep them fixed- hardware eventually breaks down, and projector bulbs burn out. Management, technology, and funding processes are needed to maintain the school at the objective levels you have specified. Preventive maintenance programs like cleaning the dust filters on the projectors, and blowing the dust out of the PC innards can do a lot toward extending the time between failure of these devices.
ReplyDeleteMike,
DeleteI'm hoping that hiring an IT professional would help take care of upcoming as well as current problems.
Kayla,
ReplyDeleteYou specify that a full-time IT professional should be hired, and then later say an IT professional would be brought in to assess and repair computers, and later a professional would install software and projectors. Are you referring to the same person performing all roles?
Do you envision offering professional development and/or mentoring for teachers as they put this technology to use in the classroom? Ginger Rodriguez (2000) wrote that the lack of technology professional development is one of the biggest impediments to technology integration. Professional development should not be just a one-time workshop, but should be an on-going effort. While she wrote this over ten years ago, I believe it still holds today, although I would add a strong mentor program to fully support teachers.
Also, I have been the purchaser of software at my school, and your statement, “School software licenses should be cheaper than commercial licenses” is correct. I have gotten academic pricing through AcademicSuperstore.com, where Texas schools, public and private, can purchase Microsoft Office Pro for just over $50.00 per license. Retail for Office Pro is about $500.00 at OfficeMax. Office Pro includes PowerPoint with Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and more.
Rodriguez, G. (2000). Critical issue: Providing professional development for effective technology use. Retrieved March 5, 2012, from http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te1000.htm.
Susan,
DeleteYes, I was referring to the same person each time with the various references to the IT professional. Yes, I would offer technology professional development, but at the moment it would only be an exercise in frustration for everyone involved since equipment does not work.
Thanks for the tip about the software prices! Good to know.
Kayla,
ReplyDeleteDoes your district not currently inventory the technology in the district or is some of the items on the inventory list not functioning properly? I was just curious because of insurance purposes. I know that sometimes even though the technology is present in the classroom, the teachers are not using it. Do you face this issue in your district? Thanks for your post. ~ Carol
I think there is an inventory list somewhere, but yes, there are lots of items that are not functioning properly. Those broken items are not being used by teachers.
DeleteCarol,
DeleteI think there is a inventory list somewhere, but yes, there are many items that are not functioning. Teachers are not using them because they are broken.