The Technology Director will compile a report once a year to be presented to the Technology Advisory Committee, which will then make recommendations to implement new policies, strategies, or other “course corrections”. The evaluation will focus on the impact of:
1. Success of Technology Integration on Improving Teaching and Learning 2. Effectiveness of Staff Development Program
3. Level of Community Involvement in Student Learning 4. Equity of Access to Appropriate Technical Resources
as measured by the surveys and other evaluation tools and metric established. The report will include status on each of the district goals as outlined below.
Indicators of Success: How will we know the plan is working?
Information Sources: What will be the tool used to measure the success?
Criteria and Benchmarks: When will we know we have achieved the goal?
The report will also provide:
A summary of goals met
A summary of unexpected outcomes
Summary of goals not met
A plan for addressing unmet goals and objectives
Educational Technology Plan Page 140 Curriculum Integration
Indicators of Success:
The design of the curriculum – This is driven by the goals and performance indicators for student learning in technology that have been defined by the District and takes into account the learning needs and interests of students.
The advantages of integrating applications of technology in teaching strategies and learning activities empower teachers to provide students with learning experiences that would be impossible or difficult to achieve without technology resources.
Effective instructional strategies and learning activities are employed to help students understand and apply technology.
The curriculum is clearly articulated and supports a shared vision for student learning.
The District is committed to the on-going evaluation and renewal of the curriculum.
Information technology resources are employed to expand and strengthen the system of assessing student learning.
High quality assessments are employed to evaluate student’s achievement of the essential knowledge and skills they need to achieve in technology.
Information Sources:
Curriculum
Demonstration Projects
Student Achievement
Use of technology by teachers in core curricular subjects Criteria and Benchmarks:
Student competencies are established based on state and national standards
Report card aligns with standards K-5
Demonstration projects implemented in all grades
Technology resources identified in all curriculum
Technology Integration Portal is established
Wide selection of courses in high schools provide various opportunities
Career internships and co-op programs are available
Partnerships with local businesses are identified
Educational Technology Plan Page 141 Staff Development
Indicators of Success:
The objectives of the professional development programs in information technology that are made available to administrators, teachers and staff members are consistent with the District’s vision and are designed to help them advance the District’s goals for student learning in technology.
Information technology resources are effectively employed to support the design and delivery of professional development programs and follow-up assistance for teachers and staff.
The District’s planning process for professional development in technology provides adequate support for the initiation, implementation and the institutionalization phases of effective staff development programs.
Information Sources:
Professional Development Attendance and Involvement
Information Technology Online Resources Criteria and Benchmarks:
Teacher standards align with state and national standards
At least 90% of staff participate in professional development opportunities
Training is offered throughout the district on a tiered and ongoing basis
Teachers use technology and submit lessons that reinforce curriculum topics already being taught presented in an authentic context.
Students are participating in learning opportunities outside of the classroom walls and beyond the school day.
Performance reviews are established and conducted
Completion course modules are developed and implemented
Technology coaches provide training in all buildings at all levels
Relationship with accredited university is established providing staff with CEUs.
Workshops are facilitated in a collaborative manner
Templates for lessons are established
Review committee adopts lessons for Technology Integration Portal
Innovative classrooms are highlighted online
Incentives are established for technology innovators
Budget for district grants is established
Educational Technology Plan Page 142 Infrastructure and Supporting Resources
Indicators of Success:
Human Resources – The deployment of human resources advances the District’s vision for technology and the student’s achievement of the goals and expectations for their learning.
Time as a Resource for Student Learning – Through the effective use of technology, time becomes a resource for supporting student learning and enhancing the productivity of the District, rather than a constraint, limiting the student’s opportunity to learn.
Planning for the District’s Infrastructure Needs – Resources are dedicated to providing the infrastructure required to support the District’s vision for technology.
Financial Resources – The District’s technology plan is adequately financed.
Selection Policies – The policies for selecting software, hardware and related information technology resources are consistent with the District’s vision for technology and the desired results for student learning.
Accessibility, Loan and Use policies – The District’s accessibility, loan and use policies facilitate the use of the District’s information technology resources by students, faculty, staff, administrators and the community.
Maintenance and Security – The District maintains and secures technology resources well for optimal and maximum use.
Information Sources:
Physical plant
Policies
Inventory Criteria and Benchmarks:
High-speed data network in place
Replacement schedule established
Student to computer ratio is less than 5:1
Technologies available in the classroom at the point of learning
Assistive technology available for students with special needs
Reliable connectivity to the Internet
Software review committee established
Student database system provides effective information to staff.
Educational Technology Plan Page 143 Technical Support
Indicators of Success:
Human Resources – The deployment of human resources advances the District’s vision for technology and the student’s achievement of the goals and expectations for their learning.
System is operable and maintained over its useful life to ensure an effective, efficient, and viable tool.
The system is supported in order to facilitate the effective uses of technology to maintain its operational integrity, and to replace equipment that has surpassed its useful life.
“Just in time” support and reliable systems remove technology from being the focus, shifting emphasis on utilizing technology solutions as seamless tools.
Information Sources:
Support Staffing
Policies, Procedures, Service Level Agreements
Customer Service Surveys Criteria and Benchmarks:
Policies and procedures are established based on “best practices” of the industry and needs analysis
Service Level Agreements are developed
Policies and procedures are clearly communicated to customer base
Customer service champion follows thorough on all service issues
Medium for customer feedback is established
Monthly random surveys indicate customer satisfaction
Student intern program and teacher mentors reduce downtime
Knowledge base provides a means for staff to contribute “tips” and share information
Expanded Help Desk hours
Educational Technology Plan Page 144 Community Engagement
Indicators of Success:
Technology is effectively employed to support the endeavors of a community of learners, comprised of all those who have a stake in the success of the District, working together on behalf of student learning.
Increased opportunities for parents and community members to play an active roll in the educational process of our students.
The shared vision of student achievement in technology: the role of technology to improve student learning and this view must be held by all those who have a stake in the success of the District.
The District has mad a commitment to engage in a process of continuous improvement.
The District’s decision-making and planning processes are focused on improving student learning.
The process of developing the District’s technology plan provides for shared decision-making and collaboration among all those who have a stake in the success of the District.
Information Sources:
Community representation on District technology committees
Community survey
Continuing education course offerings Criteria and Benchmarks:
Planning process address needs and concerns of community
Increase in community representation on District technology committees
Technology opportunities and partnerships with senior citizen groups
Technology training opportunities for parents
Establishment of enrichment clubs for parents and students with a focus on project-based learning
Increased availability of technology resources to community
Partnerships established with local colleges and universities
Parents have access to student progress through managed database system
Online forum provides electronic feedback opportunities for community
Increased corporate sponsorships provide increased resources to the district
Educational Technology Plan Page 145
Gibraltar Schools – 2014-2017 Technology Objectives
(Based on National Educational Technology Plan Goals 2010-2015)
1.0 Learning: Engage and Empower
All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and out of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society.
2.0 Assessment: Measure What Matters
Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement.
3.0 Teaching: Prepare and Connect
Professional educators will be supported individually and in teams by technology that connects them to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences that enable and inspire more effective teaching for all learners.
4.0 Infrastructure: Access and Enable
All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it.
5.0 Productivity: Redesign and Transform
Our education system at all levels will redesign processes and structures to take
advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making more efficient use of time, money, and staff.
Gibraltar Schools – 2014-2017 Key Technology Strategies
District Strategy #4 Expand assessment efficiency and effectiveness through the use of technology.
Gibraltar Schools – 2014-2017 Technology Goals
District Goal #5 Develop and implement assessment systems that give students, staff, administrators and other stakeholders timely and actionable feedback about student learning to improve achievement and instructional practice.
District Goal #11 Develop useful metrics for the educational use of technology.
Note: Detailed information on tasks and timelines associated with the District Goals are outlined in the Timeline Section of this plan.
Educational Technology Plan Page 146