TechPlanning

I am currently working with several schools looking at one-to-one computing. I am essentially facilitating their committees to help them determine the validity of their overall programs. Not knowing where you all are in your planning stage, I can only offer my advise. I am not reading in the entries within this blog a true consensus of vision for the overall program. Have you established your vision for the future of technology?

The following questions must be considered when drafting vision prior to taking any further steps. I hope these questions help you form your future decisions.

Technology Planning Vision Considerations:

Governance
What existing policies, procedures and/or statutes encourage or inhibit the adoption of technology?
How will the introduction of technology affect the way the school or district works?
How will the school or district adjust to make the best use of technology?
How can technology be used to improve all aspects of the schools or districts operation?
How will educators know if the plans objectives have been met?
How will decisions about purchases be made?
Will these decisions be part of a larger educational improvement plan in the district or school?

Curriculum and Assessment
What kinds of technological tools best complement the curriculum?
How can technology best be integrated into the curriculum and who can lead the development and implementation of this?
How will using technology change textbook adoption and content monitoring?
How will technology alter students assessment practices, the match between curriculum and state testing programs, and accountability policies related to testing and evaluations?
How can technology help students demonstrate what they have learned (e.g. electronic portfolios, video products, etc.)?

Community Involvement
How can teachers, parents, students and community members be involved in the development of school and district technology plans?
How can the technology be used after school and by community members in continuing education?
How can the community be involved in the introduction of technology in the school?
How can resources such as cable and telephone companies and community organizations be utilized?

Professional Development
Will teachers have adequate professional development and time to learn how to integrate new tools into their instructional practices?
Will teachers have access to enough ongoing technical support?
What is the most effective way to train teachers to use technology?
How will using technology change teacher training, mentoring, methodology and classroom administration and management?
How will teachers' needs be met?
Should evaluation and certification criteria for teachers be changed to support the use of technology?

Funding
How can existing funds be redirected to technology projects?
What new sources of funds are available?
Can costs for technology projects be included in other initiatives such as remodeling or increasing graduation requirements?
Will the community support a tax increase to infuse technology into the instructional program?
What funds are available from communities, the federal government and private sources to pay for educational technology?
How should funds be allocated for hardware and software purchases, telecommunications infrastructure development (capital and continuing costs), maintenance, upgrading and professional development?
How much will the change cost, and what will the results be?
Will the changes be worth the expense?
How long will the equipment purchased remain usable?
How will funding be distributed among schools?
Who can give you sound advice about technology purchases?

Technology Uses
How should education policymakers deal with the infrastructure challenge presented by technology?
What technical standards are necessary to allow communication between classrooms within a school, among schools within a district?
How can all students be provided access to technology?
What would it take to set up programs like those under way at some universities that allow students to borrow or rent computers for home use or pay for them over time?
How will the technology be used?
Will the uses be electronic mail, satellite-delivered instruction, access to electronic databases and libraries, multimedia software for instruction, ‘tool’ software such as spreadsheets and word processors, access to resources for students with disabilities, or administrative uses such as record keeping, publishing, and communicating with parents?

Equity
How can technology benefit all students?
How will student with disabilities benefit from the changes?
How can technology benefit gifted and talented students?
How can technology benefit students at risk of dropping out or who are not performing well?
Will there be a standard minimal technology base in all schools?
You may want to consider collaborating with your state’s vocational/rehabilitation agency or with outside nonprofit agencies, such as the Alliance for Technology Access, which operates a national network of technology and demonstration centers.
Your state education department also may be helpful.