Technology Action Plan

Technology Action Research Plan
Our district will be more proficient in the implementation of Technology TEKS in regards to student achievement by the plan developed by the Technology Planning Committee. The committee will meet twice a year after the overall plan has been made for the district. The committee will consist of the following members:
*(names omitted, titles given)
Superintendent, District
Assistant Superintendent, District
Business Manager, District
Computer Technician, District
Technology Coordinator, District
Network Manager, District
Assistant Principal, High School
Librarian, High School
Teacher, High School
Paraprofessional, High School
Teacher, Junior High
Teacher, Junior High
Principal, Junior High
Teacher, Middle
Teacher/GT, Middle
Teacher, Middle
Teacher, Middle
Assistant Principal, Middle
Teacher/ESL and GT, Elementary
Teacher, Elementary
Teacher/Special Ed, Elementary
Parent, Community
Student, High School

The committee works together to create technology goals for the district. The superintendent and the assistant superintendent are the district representatives that oversee and implement district decision making. The business manager helps with budget and financing, especially with technology. The computer technician, technology coordinator, and network manager collaborate to make technology decision making, implement and plan computer and network systems and technology integration. They offer assistance in all technology needs of the district and make repairs as needed. The campus principals arrange professional development as well as supervise the integration of technology for their campus. The principals share ideas with each other during principal meetings and those on the committee pass on decision making recommendations for all campus levels. The teachers on the committee share the technology goals with team members and provide assistance to all staff for lesson planning, team planning, and grade level integration of technology use in the classroom. All teachers are responsible for providing students with learning opportunities in regard to the Technology TEKS. The teachers share information with the paraprofessionals so they can assist in the success of students on their achievements in all areas of learning, including technology.

Executive Summary
The Needville Independent School District Plan for technology intends to cover the district’s use of technology for the next 3 years. Because we are a rapidly changing district, we have devised this plan to reflect the needs of our students. Using the No Child Left Behind, ERate, and Texas Long Range Plan for Technology objectives, we have created a plan giving equal access to all students and employees of the district with a careful alliance between instruction and technology. Our purpose focuses on student academic growth enhanced by technology. This long-range plan is a “work in progress” which will evolve as the world of technology expands.

Goal 1: Through an integrated curriculum, NISD will provide students with opportunities to use current technology to promote lifelong learning.

Strategy Person Responsible Timeline Resources Evaluation
All students including those with special needs will have access to appropriate hardware and software. Teachers
Paraprofessionals July 2011-2014 Hardware and software (such as Study Island, OdysseyWare, Accelerated Reader, Voyager, Successmaker, etc.) Purchase orders, Course reports, Student projects
Provide experiences for students to use grade appropriate technological skills to enhance curriculum and increase student mastery. Technology Coordinator, Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Librarians July 2011-2014 Computer access and course programs Lesson plans, Course reports, Gizmos
Students will assimilate experiences obtained from various field trips and/or presentations into creating a variety of projects reflecting real world problems using technology tools. Teachers, Field Trip representatives Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014 Field trip budgets Lesson plans, Completed assignments, Improved grades and student achievement, Websites, Blogs
Increase and update technology infrastructure to enhance student learning. Technology coordinator, Computer Technician, Campus Principals July 2011-2014 Budget Purchase orders, Inventory
Require that all computers be updated or replaced every 4 years. Administration, Technology Coordinator, Librarians Every 4 years Budget, Technology Inventory, Purchase orders, Work order log
Each classroom will update and maintain multimedia equipment. Administration, Technology Coordinator, Librarians July 2011-2014 Multimedia equipment (Smartboards, projectors, etc.) Purchase orders, Teacher Inventory
All students will have access to distance learning and digital content services. Administration, Technology Coordinator, Librarians July 2011-2014 Laptops Completed assignments, Purchase orders, Inventory, Discovery Education reports, Student Handbook
All grade levels will use technology to enhance curriculum and provide challenging academic activities to increase student learning. Administrators, Teachers, Paraprofessionals Daily Labs, classroom computers, OdesseyWare, Study Island, Voyager, Successmaker, AR Course reports, Master schedule
Provide extended use of school facilities to accelerate student learning. Administrators, Teachers, Librarians, Paraprofessionals Summer Labs Request logs, Workshop Attendance sheets, Student projects, Summer school, Course reports, Extended Day, TAKS attendance


Goal 2: NISD will provide faculty and staff with current technology and training to maximize professional performance.

Strategy Person Responsible Timeline Resources Evaluation
Provide training to all staff for utilization of technology for
curriculum, instruction, data analysis, communication, etc. Technology Coordinator, Administration, TCEA Conference Attendees August 2011-2014 Budget Certificates of completion, Attendance sheets
Update and utilize computer produced Special Education
Individualized Education Plans. Special Education teachers, Greater Gulf Coast Co-op staff Fall 2011 GGCC resources Individual Education Plans (IEPs), CLASS program, Attendance sheets
Provide continued training for the use of RSCCC for business and student documentation. Trained personnel Ongoing Budget Purchase orders, Attendance sheets, Completed RSCCC forms
Provide maintenance personnel and/or service contracts. Superintendent Ongoing Budget Computer/Network maintenance and service repair records
Provide and participate in a variety of workshops for district personnel. TCEA attendees, Qualified faculty, Technology Coordinator Staff development days 2011, ongoing Budget Integration of technology in lesson plans, Attendance sheets, Purchase orders


Goal 3: NISD will provide administrators with current technology and training to streamline tasks for district efficiency.

Strategy Person Responsible Timeline Resources Evaluation
To use appropriate technology to appraise certified personnel. Administration Yearly Administrative budgets Yearly evaluations,
Walk throughs, Observations
Integrate technology into instructional management and administration. Administration August 2011-2014 Administrative budgets RSCCC reports
Encourage teacher/librarian collaboration when using technology tools. Administration, Teachers, Librarians August 2011-2014 Library Library schedules, Discovery Education (United Streaming), Equipment sign out logs
Every teacher will model technology skills and ethics in classrooms or labs. All staff Daily Media equipment Lesson plans, Observations


Needs Assessment

Assessment Process:
Comprehensive needs assessment utilizing teacher/student surveys, interviews, site-based decision making committees, inventories, and the
Texas Campus STaR Charts was conducted to analyze the current status of technology in the district and determine future needs.

Existing Conditions:
Our district consists of 4 campuses, alternative school, administration offices, field house, and a warehouse.
The Middle School has a 10 MB internet connection. SM-fiber connects the Middle School to the High School and the Alternative School.
The Junior High is served by a MM-fiber line connecting to the Middle School. Our elementary complex has a 30 MB point to point fiber connection to the Middle School. Our administrative offices connect to the Alternative School through SM-Fiber.
The district field house and warehouse are connected through a 108 Mbs wireless bridge.
The district uses two VOIP systems for its phone system.
The district uses RSCCC for student and business applications.

Infrastructure:
Each classroom has at least two dual data drops 100 MB to the desktops
High School has 1 Gig to the desktop with a wireless overlay
Cisco Routers at the core
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance
Cisco Wireless Controller
Approximately 19 servers
100% Windows Network

Hardware:
Current district standards for workstations:
Core 2 Duo, 4 Gig Ram, 120 GB HD, 17 in flat screen monitor, NIC Card, DVD/RW Burner, Windows 7, Office 2007

Classrooms:
All classrooms have a laptop, document camera, projector, and an Interactive White Board (Promethean-Grades K-2, Mimio-Grades 3-4, Eno-Grades 5-8, Dukane Slates-Grades 9-12)
All classrooms have at a dedicated teacher workstation and at least one computer station available for student use.
Every classroom has a personal printer and/or access to a network laser printer.

Computer Labs:
Elementary Campus- 4 labs with 98 workstations
Middle School- 3 labs with 81 workstations
Jr. High School- 3 labs with 82 workstations
High School- 6 labs with 159 workstations

Technology Needs:
*Maintain and update needs at a rate driven by emerging and innovative technologies.
*Provide dynamic diverse learning communities in order to encourage "Free Agent Learners."
*Offer more relevant professional development to cohesively implement the use of technology throughout the curriculum to enhance student achievement.
*Supply a 2:1 student to computer ratio on all campuses.
*Seek additional resources for technology funding.
*Hire additional personnel to maintain and support the technology infrastructure.
*Have an adequate budget for funding an Instructional Technologist position for each campus.

Texas s ta r chart presentation

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National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology - A Reflection

The U.S. Department of Education released a draft of the National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology. The two main goals in this plan for technology are to increase the college graduate from high school and that he/she be competently prepared to enter college and the working world.

The U.S. Department of Education believes that our educators must be better equipped to meet the demands that the 21st century learners. Students are very diverse and educators must teach them in ways that are beneficial to them. Students can not be continually taught the same way because they are changing as technology and the world around them changes. A variety of professional development strategies have to be implemented. Teachers and leaders must work collaboratively in technology advancements. Students can be actively involved in this process. In the plan, it states that "schools must be more than information factories; they must be incubators of exploration and invention. Educators must be more than information experts; they must be collaborators in learning, seeking new knowledge and constantly acquiring new skills alongside their students" (U.S. Department of Education, 2010). Planning, budgeting, and time must be allowed to educators so that they are prepared for the 21st century learners.

I feel students are more technologically advanced and are learning faster than educators can. It is important for school leaders and teachers to keep up with advancements and understand that students are learning to multi-task with technologies all around them. We all must understand how students are learning differently with all these advancements in technology.

Reference:

U.S. Department of Education (2010). Transforming American Education:
Learning Powered by Technology. Washington: U.S. Department of
Education.

Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020

The Long Range Plan for Technology 2006-2020 was designed because the education system in Texas recognized the importance of bringing our schools into the 21st century along with our 21st century learners. It was designed to track the state's development and growth.

Since 2008, The STaR report has shown “improvement in number of teachers at higher levels of implementation of the TEKS” (TEA 2010). TIP campuses had grants that ended in 2008 yet teachers are encouraged to continually use technology and those programs have sustained at the campuses. Other grants are available through Vision 2020, T3, and Connections. The report shows a slight increase in online learning. Digital content use has increased according to the STaR report. Districts are trying to make it a priority to prepare their teachers to incorporate technology in the classroom. Most schools are in the developing stage and more tools and resources are being provided for 21st century classrooms. Web 2.0 tools allow collaboration in online learning opportunities. 26 Star grants were awarded to districts to develop technology plans, increase teacher confidence and mentor teachers, increase student engagement, and use of Web 2.0 tools. Leaders have been provided necessary tools and resources that impact technology and student achievement through expectations and vision. Schools are moving toward more advanced in this area. Goals are clear and realistic with strategies for professional development and sufficient budgeting. The infrastructure is critical for support of technology with most schools reporting in the advanced range. Goals are to have Americans with affordable access, mobile innovation, internet safety, and broadband advances. Reports from the educational region services were also included in this progress report.

Reference:

Texas Education Agency. (2010). Progress Report on the Long Range Plan for
Technology 2006-2020. Austin: Texas Education Agency

Texas Long Range Technology Plan 2006-2020 Summary

The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology 2006 -2020 was developed to ensure quality education in technology for all students in Texas. This plan prepares each student for success and productivity as a lifetime learner, and a world class communicator. The plan promotes academic excellence in the areas of engaged learners through teaching and learning, prepared educators through educator preparation and development, support from school leaders through leadership, administration, and instructional support, and infrastructure for technology. Teaching and Learning involves engaging all learners to take advantage of the technology opportunities that their schools offer to them through the access to online instructional resources, distance learning course, and other multiple technological avenues. Texas has a diversity of learners and it must provide for every student. Educator Preparation and Development involves all educators in the 21st century world of learners. Teachers must be able to prepare students for their future by being prepared themselves. Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support involves all leaders to implement and sustain school improvement and technology innovation under the ability of persistent and successful leadership. Leaders must share their vision and expectations to adjust to the transformation that the 21st Century demands so that the students have the skills and high degree of technology competency to face the challenges that the 21st Century offers. The Infrastructure for Technology involves teachers and students using technology as a major educational resource. The plan would see by year 2020 students proficient in technology TEKS, technical support, informed and knowledgeable teachers, administrative support, and better resources.