1. Classify technology goals in a proper domain (technology, management, funding).
Jaccarino (2011) states “When writing a goal statement it is critical to state in broad, general terms what you want to accomplish during the time frame of the plan.” The author also suggest using words such as “enhance, develop, improve, and encourage to refer to changes that your goal will address” (Jaccarino, 2011).
Technology:
Goal 1: Teachers will use knowledge learned at professional development to troubleshoot problems themselves.
Goal 2: The campus will become a 1:1 campus.
Funding:
Goal 3: There will be an increase number of grants written for technology use.
Goal 4: The campus will send support letters out to local businesses to help raise money for technology.
Management:
Goal 5: The technology department will hold two professional developments a month on campus.
Goal 6: The district will hire one Technology Integration Specialist to assist with professional development.
2. Identify the major steps required to accomplish technological goals.
After the goals and objectives are written, it is then time to develop the action plan to meet these goals (Missouri Education, 2011).
Technology:
Goal 1: Teachers will use knowledge learned at professional development to troubleshoot problems themselves.
The major steps required to accomplish this goal is that teachers will have to be offered professional development specific for troubleshooting problems. The teachers will have to be held accountable for attempting to troubleshoot instead of immediately calling the Campus Technology Specialist
Goal 2: The campus will become a 1:1 campus.
The most major step in this goal is having enough computers or iPads to provide to each student. The district will have to approach the school board to have this approved. Due to funding the district will need to research which technology would be most cost efficient and how to fund it. Also there will need to be discussion on maybe becoming a Bring Your Own Device campus.
Funding:
Goal 3: There will be an increase number of grants written for technology use.
As of right now, teachers can go to a training that is offered twice a year to be trained on writing grants. This training would need to be done during a faculty meeting when all teachers are present and can easily attend the training. This would help increase the number of grants written. The administration will need to encourage teachers to write grants for technologies in their classroom.
Goal 4: The campus will send support letters out to local businesses to help raise money for technology.
The school will need to come up with a letter that can be sent or taken to local businesses. During an inservice day, teachers will go deliver letters or address envelopes to be sent out. By having teachers take an hour to go deliver letters, it gives them the opportunity to interact with local businesses and gives it more of a personally meeting.
Management:
Goal 5: The technology department will hold two professional developments a month on campus.
The Technology Integration Specialist and the Principal from the campus will need to meet and set dates for the professional development. The Technology Integration Specialist will need to send out a survey to find what teachers feel they need the most training on.
Goal 6: The district will hire one Technology Integration Specialist to assist with professional development.
The district will need to find funding for a Technology Specialist to be hired, a place for their office. This will have to be approved by the school board and then the position will need to be posted. Before presenting this to the school board the district will need to research and be able to prove to the school board why there is a need for another Technology Integration Specialist.
3. Develop assessment instruments to test the objectives for the technology plan. Describe the desired instrument/s under each objective.
It is important for students and teachers to continue to learn and improve their abilities with technologies. In fact, the NETS for Teachers standard 5 states “Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources” (ISTE, 2008). Also NETS for Students standard 6 states “Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations” (ISTE, 2007). After writing objectives for the technology plan, it is important to assess the objectives.
Objective 1:
Navasota ISD will provide professional development for teachers, in order to increase the teachers ability and comfort level with technology, focusing on the ability to troubleshoot technology issues.
Assessment: The objective will be assessed by examining teachers lesson plans and observing classroom instruction.
Objective 2:
Navasota ISD will provide funding for Navasota Jr. High to become a 1:1 campus, to meet the goal the district has set.
Assessment: The objective will be assessed by looking at the inventor of computers and iPads the school has and comparing that number to the number of students enrolled in the school.
Objective 3:
Navasota ISD will increase the amount of funding for Navasota Jr. High to upgrade the equipment on the campus to better meet the needs of students and teachers.
Assessment: The objective will be assessed by maintaining records of the funding provided by outside sources excluding grants and local businesses.
Objective 4:
Navasota ISD will provide a second Technology Instructional Specialist to increase the amount of professional development for teachers and to assist in meeting the needs of the district.
Assessment: The objective will be assessed by keeping record of the date and time the Technology Instructional Specialist meets with teachers, and assessed through examining lesson plans and through classroom observations.
References:
ISTE (2007). NETS for Students. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students/nets-student-standards-2007.aspx
ISTE (2008). NETS for Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx
Jaccarino, E. (2011, September 16). Writing Goals and Objectives for Technology Plans. Retrieved from http://www.dese.mo.gov/divimprove/instrtech/techplan/emma.htm
Missouri Education. (2011, September 16). Six-Step Process in Creating a Technology Plan. Retrieved from http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/instrtech/techplan/actionplans.htm#Technology%20Planning
Cara,
ReplyDeletea possible resource for staff development could be the Technology Integration Academy hosted by Denton ISD on July 24, 25, 26. It's only $35 to attend. You can find the details at http://www.dentonisd.org/51210727153512820/blank/browse.asp?a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=113239&51210727153512820Nav=|&NodeID=18355
Kayla,
DeleteThank you for sharing, this is something that my district could check into since it is a low cost.
Cara
Your “goal 1” under the technology section is very interesting. For small schools and even schools that have small IT departments, this makes a lot of sense. I would think that developing these basic troubleshooting skills would be a major challenge. I know many teachers who are self-sufficient and understand technology or they always have “Plan B” when the technology doesn’t work. I would be interested to know what the majority of these teachers think about this concept (troubleshooting before calling a specialist). If anything, I can see developing a step-by-step troubleshooting guide for teachers. However, most teachers I know are very impatient and want it to work when you press the button or click this mouse – 100% of the time. I have even seen teachers cancel class because the projector didn’t work! Therefore, having a process and “Plan B” is very important for educators and IT specialist.
ReplyDeletePajak, E. F., & Tillman, M. H. (1984). Testing the Classroom Troubleshooting Model.
Mike,
DeleteYou are very right, teachers are impatient. It will be a major challenge, they expect their students to be problem solvers, but they themselves do not want to be. I know as a teacher it is very frustrating when something does not work (my projector went out over 2 weeks ago, it is extremely frustrating) but you have to learn to have a different plan and be able to move on.
Cara
Cara,
ReplyDeleteAs a campus technology specialist, I'm totally on board with your goal #1. As teachers, we teach our students to use basic problem solving skills before immediately asking for help. I think it's helpful when teachers practice that same strategy. One article I read states that teachers should know to check loose cords first and restart equipment. This should be the first thing done anytime a problem arises. (Poole, 2006)
Reference:
Poole, B. 2006. Education World. Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech227.shtml
Monica,
DeleteI commented on Mike's prior to reading your comment. We said the same thing, teachers expect their students to be problem solvers, but they themselves are not. It would be extremely helpful if teachers would check for lose cords and restart, that solves probably 90% of the problems they have.
Cara
Cara,
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is very important for school districts to provide professional development for teachers. If the school districts want them to do it, they need to be trained.
Quality professional development has the power to increase educators’ knowledge of academic content and teaching skills while changing what educators believe about student learning and how they interact with students. Powerful professional development can transform schools into places in which all adults and students are deeply engaged in learning and making meaning of their lives.
"Professional Development." Welcome to the Vermont Department of Education Web Site!. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Mar. 2012. <http://education.vermont.gov/new/ht
Kim,
DeleteProfessional development is very important if the district expects the teachers to grow, and especially use the technology. Unlike students, teachers will not jump in a try new things,they have to be trained. Thanks for sharing the quote!
Cara
Excellent work!
ReplyDelete