District Technology Plan Presentation

Robert heck district technology plan

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National Educational Technology Plan

The National Educational Technology plan has five goals.  The first goal focuses on learners having engaging and empowering learning experiences.  In the second goal technology is used to measure what is important and use assessment data for continues improvement.  In the third goal educators will be supported using technology to become more effective teachers.  The fourth goal includes assess to comprehensive infrastructure to all students and educators.  The final goal will use technology to improve learning while at the same time efficiently using time, money, and staff.

In respect to learning, schools should revise and update curriculum to reflect 21^st-century skills.  Schools should use technology that embodies proven learning principles.  Schools should use technology to reach learners anytime and anywhere.  Schools should include ways to enhance STEM(science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)learning.

In respect to teaching, educators should have access to technology-based content, resources, and tools.  Educators should use networking technologies to create communities of learning so they might share ideas and information.  Technology should be used to provide learners with access to effective online learning opportunities.  There should also be greater development of a teaching force skilled in online instruction. 

According to the Technology Plan, having teachers experience technology is the best way for them to incorporate it in their class rooms.  Schools should also provide examples of best practices and have those resources available to educators.  Teachers should also collaborate with each other through various networks.

One concern I had in the plan was online learning.  Online learning to my knowledge is not available in my school.  Changes need to be made to make this available to students.  This would allow students experiences not available in my school. 

U.S. Department of Education.  (2010).  National Education Technology Plan.  Retrieved on November 25, 2011 from http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/netp2010.pdf

District Technology Plan

Middle Township School District’s Technology Plan was developed in 2009 and runs from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013.  The plan has six main goals and includes accompanying implementation strategies.  The district’s goals are as follows:

1.       Support and encourage staff development that changes the paradigm of delivery of instruction from the rote transmission of facts to interactive, project-based learning.

2.       Expand direct technology support for achieving educational objectives.

3.       Expand the use of technology to achieve goals and objectives as outlined in the Core Curriculum Content Standards.

4.       Provide, follow, and expand a district-wide plan for efficient purchase and maintenance of equipment.

5.       Expand web-based communications and district services throughout the school and community.

6.       Provide technology supports for student management and safety.

There are several strategies to accomplish each goal.  Strategies for Goal 1 are maintaining up to date training for technology team, yearly professional development opportunities, provide teachers with release time to create technology lesson plans, and provide refresher training for teachers on technology communication tools.  Goal 2 strategies include funding for technology technicians and technology teachers in the elementary schools.  The strategies for Goal 3 include continued update of curriculum guides, providing teachers with on-going training to expand their integration of technology, offering technology classes at the high school level, and continue to fund district library media centers.  Goal 4 strategies include funding for the maintenance of school facilities to enable the integration of technology, maintain a WAN, and annually review the conditions of hardware for planned upgrades.  Strategies for Goal 5 include funding for a district wide communication platform that is accessible from home and school, explore the purchase of a platform for student e-mail and online collaboration, and maintain district and school websites.  The final goal includes funding to update hardware and software for a district student management system, and purchase equipment necessary to implement the district safety plan.

Professional development opportunities are coordinated by the director of curriculum & instruction and each school principal.  Funding appears to be available to ensure staff is kept up to date on new technologies.  Administrators will attend technology training annually.  Staff professional development is provided through South Jersey Regional Technology center, ETTC/Stockton, ERIC, and NJDOE 21^st Century skills workshops.

Telecommunication service, hardware, software and other services are assessed through a needs assessment.  First the current status will be determined.  Then the educational needs will be determined.  Finally, a plan will be made to prioritize the identified needs to meet the district’s goals.  There appears to be a sufficient budget to acquire and support the non-discount elements of the plan.

The school district will use an evaluation plan to monitor progress toward their goals.  Administrators will be able to access lesson plans to determine if technology is being integrated in the curriculum.  Students will be evaluated on the goals and objectives for technology at each curricular level.  Curriculum will be continuously examined and aligned to state standards.

Middle Township Public Schools.  (2009).  Technology Plan: 2010-2013.  Retrieved on Nov. 22, 2011 from http://www.middletwp.k12.nj.us/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=JaznPnm5nqM%3d&tabid=327

Technology Assessments

Technology assessments can be valuable for many reasons.  First, assessing an educators’ technology leadership knowledge and skills can be helpful.  It can be a valuable tool for an educator to know what their strengths and weaknesses are.  When an educator can identify a strength they can become mentors in those areas.  They can help improve curriculum in those areas.  When a weakness is identified an educator can seek professional development in that area.  They can seek out others who have strengths in those areas to find ways to improve their weaknesses.  They can also join online communities to exchange and share ideas in an effort to improve.  For example, if an educator struggles finding ways for students to use technology to collaborate or communicate with groups outside of the school, that teacher can have discussions with other teachers who have had success in that area.  They can talk about methods they have used and strategies to make the use of that technology successful in their classroom.

Assessments of student technology skill levels can also be helpful.  They can identify students’ strengths and weaknesses.  If a class has similar skill levels, a teacher can focus more on a classes’ weaknesses.  Also, if the assessment in done before students are scheduled for classes, students can be placed based on their skill levels to allow teachers to meet the needs of the students.  If assessment find that a class has a mixed group of skill levels, students can be arranged so that students with different strengths can be grouped together.  This will allow students to utilize their strengths while helping their classmates improve their weaknesses.  Knowledge of students’ learning styles can also be helpful when creating assignments and projects for a class.  Assignments can be tailor made to meet the styles of all of your students. 

Technology assessments have more pros than cons.  It is helpful to know what you or your students need to improve.  However, when we know we need to improve in one area we can easily neglect to maintain our skills in other areas.  If an educator had a strength in applications, but a weakness in Web 2.0 tools they could easily fall behind in their strength if all of their development was in the area of Web 2.0 tools.  Technology is always changing and advancing and it is important for educators to seek professional development in all areas of technology development not just their weaknesses.  What is a strength today may be a weakness tomorrow. 

November 17, 2011 Web Conference Summary

The web conference was a valuable experience.  Being my first experience, I did not quit know what to expect.  It was nice to be able to see and hear someone as they explain and review important information.  Sometimes reading something in an e-mail or on a website does not allow you to process the information completely.  While I can see the potential technical difficulties of web conferences, such as no camera or microphone issues, the benefits far out way the negatives.  It allows a class to meet and hold discussions.  It allows someone living in New Jersey attend a university in Texas and have an authentic experience.

The conference also clarified some information for me.  It answered some of my questions about the internship and some of the assignments.  I also found it helpful to hear other people’s questions.  Sometimes others ask questions you never thought of but you find the information useful.