WISD TECHNOLOGY PLAN

A technology plan is very detailed and many people work collaboratively together to create a document  that represents the entire district. The local districts are required to have a technology plan and actively work to meet the goals.

I teach at Warren Elementary school. We are a small district. There are four schools in our district; one high school, one jr. high school, and two elementary campuses. There were a total of 1223 students in our district when this plan was developed. Fifty two percent of our population was economically disadvantaged. The goal with the technology plan was to bring the 1223 students we had up to date (technology speaking) and get them ready for the world that awaits them from the years 2010-2013.

When making a plan you have to seek out your needs. The needs assessment states that WISD needs to update the network hardware and technology infrastructure. Teachers need to integrate technology into their daily activities, and to effectively do this they must have access to the technology equipment and training necessary to accomplish the integration. The goals stated will all have a common goal; to help the district solve these issues.

WISD has six main goals they are looking at. Each goal has several objectives to meet the main goal. These goals are all designed to help the learner reach his/her highest potential and ultimately be prepared for higher education or the workforce.

The first goal as stated in the Warren ISD technology plan 2010-2013 is "Identify and promote curricula and teaching strategies that integrate technology effectively into curricula and instruction". In order for the district to effectively meet this goal the teachers, technology coordinator, and principals will integrate technology into teaching, increase the use of technology curriculum materials, and monitor TEKS integration. They will show evidence of this by lesson plan documentation, evaluations, observations, and updated STaR Charts. The budget allotted for this goal is $91,000 in the area of teaching and learning.

The second goal in the WISD technology plan 2010-2013 is "Incorporate existing and emerging technology into curriculum and instruction". The superintendent, technology coordinator, network administrator, principals, and teachers will work together to achieve this goal by gaining access to existing and emerging technology, utilizing available hardware and software, continuing integrating technology into the classrooms, facilitating the use of technology in the classrooms to promote higher order thinking skills, provide the distance learning lab for college credit for students and staff, and continue using technology for testing purposes. The personnel will show evidence of these goals being achieved by purchasing new technology for the classrooms, observing the technology in use, lesson plan documentation, and providing a functional distance learning lab. The allotted budgeted amount of $91,000 for the area of teaching and learning is to help achieve these goals.

The third goal in the WISD technology plan 2010-2013 is : "Use the district's electronic resources to provide educational services to the community." The district will use a web page designer, superintendent, technology coordinator, network administrator, and campus principal to facilitate strategies to achieve this goal. They will continue to maintain the district and campus websites, establish list-serves to maintain email communication, provide parent access to pertinent student information, and provide GED training and continuing education opportunities. The district will show evidence of these things by having a current web site, having an active list-serve available to the community, providing online student information to the parents, and offering distance learning classes to the community. The budget shows an amount of $69,000 in the area of teaching and learning to support the third goal.

The fourth goal stated is to "Provide opportunities and support for educators to develop practices in the integration of teaching, learning, and technology. The district will use the technology personnel, and campuses principals to create a comprehensive technology plan, gather information from teachers about their technology skills, promote peer teaching, provide instant and on-going software training. They will show evidence of the for-mentioned by implementing strategies for increased technology use in the classrooms, surveying teachers on their skills and use of technology, having active peer groups, and cooperation among staff, and providing adequate in-service training. There is $160,000 in the budget for the use of educator preparation and development.

The fifth goal is stated is to "Provide and maintain a network that supports the integration of technology into teaching, learning, and school operations". The technology coordinator will form a committee of staff members and community members. The technology committee will review current technology resources, form a technology plan for the years 2010-2013, and work with administration to sustain professional development for all staff. The committee will conduct surveys and meet regularly to complete these tasks. There is $15,000 in the budget to implement this goal.

The last goal stated in the WISD technology plan 2010-2013 is "Increase the availability of specialized technologies for instruction and learning". The superintendent, technology coordinator, network coordinator, and campus principals will help achieve this goal by replacing and repositioning obsolete technology, maintaining a 1:1 workstation ratio for staff, maintaining a 4:1 workstation ratio for students, and increasing the technology available. The evidence for this will be proof of upgraded equipment, appropriate workstation ratios, and new available technologies. There is a $201,000 budget to help achieve this goal.

The total budget for all items involved in implementing this plan is $231,533.00 This includes all equipment, materials, professional development, maintenance, internet access, etc. The budget is the same for all three years.

WISD will implement an ongoing evaluation process. The district will actively monitor all technology implementations. The plan will be revised annually to update any necessary changes. The staff members will be observed and interviewed to find out any problems or concerns. Surveys will be administered and analyzed by the committee to find any area that might show concern.

REFERENCE:

Warren Independent School District Technology Plan (2010)