VisionforTechnology

=A Vision for Technology in K-12 Education= To download this vision from the 1/23/12 Tech Planning session as a Word document, click here --> [|A Vision for Technology in K-12 Education 1-23-12.doc] [|A Vision for Technology in K-12 Education 1-23 & 2-14-12.doc]
 * 1/23/12 A Vision for Technology in K-12 Education**

Our vision for technology in K-12 education includes:
 * The support tools for the learners and the learning community
 * Opportunities for students to create and design their own learning
 * That instruction would go beyond the use of technology to choice and development – how to choose the right tools and developing the right tools if they don’t exist
 * Planned, ongoing systematic PD for teachers (incorporate into staff meetings on a regular basis)
 * Shift of technology as a tool for students, e.g., iPads, tablets, etc. – one-to-one learning environments
 * More individualized PD for teachers targeted towards specials areas and in teachers’ own learning environment with tools that will help them with their students
 * Instruction will teach students how to analyze the information that they collect, to evaluate it and then synthesize it
 * The philosophy of the district should approach students where they are, from the learner’s perspective
 * PD to teachers to maximize the effectiveness of technology in the classroom – teachers need to use technology as a learning tool
 * Excellent instruction encompassing the four C’s (Critical thinking & Problem solving, Communication, Collaboration and Creativity & Innovation - 21st century skills) that utilizes technological tools and resources whenever possible (and appropriate)
 * Equal access
 * Use current technologies to develop student skills that are transferable to future technologies
 * Organize the expertise and resources in the school/district – “Many hands make light work”
 * Establish an electronic community with community support and involvement – all communicating electronically *****ACTION PLAN**
 * Cut back on the paper!
 * Teach students netiquette – appropriate and acceptable use of technology; their own security and that of others
 * Developing up-to-date policies, specifically with regard to intellectual property *****ACTION PLAN**
 * Encourage programs that allow students to use their own technology – BYOD (bring your own device)
 * Current, up-to-date technology (both hardware and software) that all students can use (Kindles, iPads, etc.)
 * Expand the learning environment itself so that it’s completely independent of the tool, the location and the time of day (at their house, on their Kindle or Xbox, etc.)
 * Use technology to collect, analyze, and respond to relevant data to inform planning, instruction and assessment
 * Redefine skills of students to more performance-based using technology which is aligned with the Common Core State Standards *****ACTION PLAN**
 * Developing relationships with community members, industry and higher education, etc. to prepare students for new career paths
 * Teach the abstract skills that students need by having them apply the skills in authentic project-based learning, e.g., teach problem solving by having students identify and solve a real problem in their school or community
 * Develop systems of technology-based assessments
 * Teachers model not only how to use technology tools but why the tool is the most appropriate and effective tool for the purpose – appropriate and efficient use of technology through instructional and operational activities


 * 2/14/12 A Vision for Technology in K-12 Education**

Our vision for technology in K-12 education includes:
 * Assistive technology, audio for struggling readers, access to grade level curriculum, voice recognition impacts students’ behavior, confidence and learning – technology is an equalizer
 * Web presence – robust, inclusive, full of information for parents and students – improved home/school communication
 * Teacher pedagogy, teachers fluent with technology so they can make the most of the technology in the classroom – trust between teachers and students; teacher as facilitator rather than dispenser of information
 * Digital citizenship – more robust and more widespread; emphasize digital citizenship curriculum
 * Sizeable technology footprint available – need more buy-in from educators and in the curriculum; need more peripheral equipment; a responsive IT Department to maintain the technology and bring it where it is needed, e.g., upgrades to wireless district-wide
 * Provide more training for teachers – they have the toys and tools but need the time to play and use; embedded coaching
 * Are we past textbooks? Is digital content the way to go? iBooks, created digital curriculum specific to your district’s needs, build your own digital textbook
 * Increased tech support
 * Infrastructure – BYOD, mobile devices require the support
 * District-wide focus for using the technology that we have
 * Policy and support implications with personal devices and other emerging tools
 * Changing requirements for expectations of what the tech department supports
 * More stress on Internet safety and Acceptable Use Policy
 * Districts need to work together – regional collaboration for successful practices, AUPs and other policies, etc.
 * Technology to support student achievement; intersection with Common Core State Standards, Smarter Balanced Assessment, etc.
 * Ensuring access to technology – BYOD may help with that
 * The spirit of collaboration has been with us since the one room schoolhouse; we need to use the technology to support collaboration; create safety nets so that people feel safe to collaborate – we need to change mental models
 * When the technology comes in, teachers need to be trained in how to use it and then held accountable for using it
 * Closing the digital divide – How to do we get students access at home?
 * Exemplars of how technology can tie the curriculum together to enhance both teaching and learning