SAT Elementary SchoolEducational Technology Plan (2010-2013)

Developed byTechnology Advisory Committee

Allette GordonShornett Vaughans-Oliver

Techa Walker

OVERVIEW

Learning for all

We are the technology team at SAT Elementary and as we construct this Technology Plan these are the areas that will be addressed as

we feel they are integral to the successful implementation, continuity, and assessment of the plan and how the different areas will

ultimately benefit the students we are entrusted to teach.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Flow Chart of Technology Plan

for:

SAT ELEMENTARY

SAT ELEMENTARY is a middle class school located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The school is fairly new as it is now in its fifth

year of operation. The infrastructure of the building includes thirty-five classrooms. Five at each grade level from Pre Kindergarten to

Fifth. Currently there are approximately ninety persons employed to the school inclusive of Administrative, Teaching, Support and

Ancillary Staff. The breakdown is as such; 1 Principal, 1 Assistant Principal, 1 Bursar, 1 Secretary, 1 Guidance Counsellor, 35

Teachers, 20 Teaching Assistants, 1 Speech Pathologist, 1 EC Teacher, 1 ESL Teacher, 4 Resource Teacher, 4 Reading Coaches, 5

Ancillary, 1 Nurse, 8 Cafeteria workers and 1 Social worker.

The student population totals close to 550. There are approximately 344 girls and 206 boys. The population of the school is very

diverse as we have the following nationalities represented; Blacks, Whites, Hispanics/Mexicans, Native Americans, and a sampling of

Indians. The ratio of student to teacher/teacher assistant is roughly 20:2.

Although the school is considered middle class it has students that run the economic spectrum from very, very poor to wealth. Less

than five percent (5%) of the school population qualifies for Free and Reduced Lunch.

VISION STATEMENTThe vision of the SAT Elementary School is to provide all students with the access to state-of –the art informational technology

which will assist them in:

becoming proficient in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking.

being prepared for the next level of education.

successfully attaining the skills and proficiencies required of today’s work force.

becoming global learners

functioning effectively in the 21st Century and beyond.

Using web 2.0 tools such as Skype, Twitter, etc. to advance educationally.

Additionally all administrators, teachers and SAT Elementary staff will use technology daily to effectively help students

attain the highest standards needed to function effectively in the 21st Century and beyond.

BELIEFS We believe in accountability.

We believe in a school community grounded in respect and integrity.

We believe in continuous improvement to meet and exceed the challenges of a changing environment.

We believe that our students can and will learn.

We believe that success requires shared responsibility among all staff, parents, students, and community as stakeholders.

We believe that excellence is attainable by all.

We believe that there is value in learning from each other.

We believe in equity of opportunities for personal growth.

We believe that public education is essential to the survival of a democratic society.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTSAT Elementary School strongly believes that a technologically skilled, proficient faculty is both the foundation and most crucial

success factor to the integration of technology in the educational program.

To achieve this goal, the SAT Elementary School supports the Ten Essential Elements of Professional Development as outlined by the

SAT Elementary School Board.

1. A committed, dynamic, and qualified school administrator.

2. A pilot group of volunteer teachers.

3. An articulated pedagogic framework.

4. A sustained learning time resulting in action plan.

5. The teaching of teachers to analyze and negotiate quality classroom curriculum in general, and technology curriculum in

particular, including the recognition of essential questions, multiple intelligences, and interdisciplinary connections.

6. An attention to practical elements of time management, scheduling, lab availability, student to computer ratio, and growing

independence of students.

7. The sustained support and follow- up from internal and external resources

8. The recognition of teacher achievements and growth in newsletters and meetings.

9. A strategy to make it possible for teachers to have access to their own computer.

10. An expectation that the professional development plan will continue for 5 years with a new group of teachers joining every

year.

With this in mind, SAT Elementary School will employ a full time person to be Director of Technology in addition to the existing

Computer Teacher, to schedule computer classes so that teachers will be able to attend with their classes, to create opportunities for

teacher to pursue technology, set aside meeting time and In-house Professional Development days for technology issues, and provide

funding for attending classes offered outside the school.

All SAT Elementary School staff will be trained to use technology effectively in the classroom, as there will be a variety of in-service

offerings.

Schedule, routine afternoons for instruction and follow-up instruction

Classroom demonstrations of different aspects and rules of technology

Continued demonstrations and presentations to the faculty of an ongoing projects and opportunities.

An established review process for software

Guest speakers who motivate as well as instruct in the use of technology in the classroom

Video tape presentations on the use of technology in classes

Discussions of assessment issues as they relate to integrated learning

Instruction in how to locate, implement, and secure resources

Continued discussion of ethical and moral issues as they relate to the use and proliferation of instruction

Instruction in how to utilize web 2.0 tools in classroom lessons

Training will be routinely offered to faculty and staff on an as needed basis by the technology support personnel. In-service programs

are a regular part of faculty meetings, workshops, and seminars usually four times a semester. The Professional Development

Department will arrange training appropriate to the different disciplines and in areas they see necessary.

CURRICULUMThe SAT Elementary School is committed to providing a rigorous and relevant core curriculum that reflects what students need to

know and demonstrate a global 21st Century environment, including a mastery of languages, an appreciation of the arts, and

competencies in the use of technology. Every student will use technology to access and demonstrate new knowledge and skills that

will be needed as a life-long learner to be competitive in a constantly changing international environment.

Technology will be integrated across the curriculum, and teachers will use technology devices daily in instruction.

Objectives and Descriptors

Students will be able to use input devices to successfully operate technology efficiently and effectively.

Use a variety of technology resources and web 2.0 tools for direct and independent learning.

Communicate about technology using appropriate and accurate terminology.

Apply strategies for identifying and solving routine hardware and software problems that occur during everyday use.

Demonstrate positive social and ethical behaviors when using technology.

Practice responsible use of technology systems and software.

Work cooperatively and collaboratively with peers when using technology in the classrooms.

Demonstrate knowledge of current changes in information technologies and the effect those changes have on society.

Use content specific tools, software and simulations to support learning and research.

Gather information and communicate with others using technology, with support teachers, family members, or support

partners.

Use technology tools for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to design, develop, and

publish products for audiences inside and outside the classroom that demonstrate and communicate curriculum concepts.

Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness and bias of electronic information sources concerning

real world problems.

Use technology resources for problem solving and making informed decisions to real world problems.

Use technology resources for gathering and collecting information.

Use telecommunications efficiently and effectively to access remote information, communicate with others in support of direct

or independent learning.

TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE(Assessment Needs)

Technology Infrastructure may be defined as, the computer and communication hardware, software, databases, people and policies

supporting the enterprise’s (SAT ELEMENTARY) information management functions. (www.brownfield.org/auditor/index.cfm)

SAT ELEMENTARY is one of the schools in the county that ranks above the poverty rating assigned to other schools in the county.

Even though this is the case, we find that a vast percentage of the school populous has limited technology skills and those that do have

know only have rudimentary knowledge of how to effectively use the wealth of Web 2.0 applications available to students and

teachers alike. Currently the school’s computer lab houses a minimum of fifty (50) flat screen computers. The Library houses another

fifteen (15) which the children have access to. There are at least five (5) computers in every classroom, inclusive of the one that the

teachers use for data management and planning and one black and white printer. All computers located on the school compound are

equipped with Macintosh and IBM/compatible computers using MacOS 12 and Windows 2003. The computers are all PowerPc based

machines with at least 512MB RAM, equipped with CD-ROM drives and sound cards. In each of the thirty-five (35) classrooms you

will find one Smart Board and an Elmo. Only grades three through five has the student response clickers that allow each student to

answer question from his/her seat as they interact with the Smart Board. Also, housed in the Library which is the hub and home of

most of the technology that belongs to the school are; two colored printers, a laminating machine, two rolling lab carts for the resource

teachers whose classes may move to different areas of the school, four video cameras, two scanners, eight projectors, and six digital

cameras which all teachers are encouraged to utilize to enrich the teaching/learning process. The technology at the school is of course

extended to the administrative building of the school. Here, we have six computers that server the Principal, the Assistant Principal,

the Bursar, the two secretaries and the PTA President who operates in an office in this area. The offices that serve the Specials in the

school are also outfitted with a Smart Board, an Elmo and at least three computers depending on how many persons share an office.

The Reading Coaches also have these resources in their workrooms with three (3) student computers each.

For the 2010-2013 school years, our Technology Plan will include the incorporation of new hardware and software that will add to the

effective, efficient and enhanced manner in which both the teachers and students at SAT ELEMENTARY engage with technology.

We are also working to make our entire school based system wireless.

The introduction of the new hardware and software components of technology at SAT ELEMENTARY is another tool to ensure that

when students graduate they will have a solid foundation on which to build in Middle School as well as being able to incorporate this

knowledge into their everyday live for real world applications, which is the ultimate goal for their implementation in the first place.

Students will use technology in some format in all classes for a total of ninety-five percent (95%) throughout the school year. Students

will use the new and existing technology to complete their End of Grade (EOG), Benchmarks, Formal as well as other forms of

assessments done throughout the year. They will also use the technologies to complete projects that are multimedia based.

This updated Technology Plan will also benefit the school as it is now seen as a school of choice. The school is outfitting each

classroom with all the 21st century technologies that ensure that our students who are growing up in this Net-Generation do not get left

behind other schools, other states, and other countries.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The purpose of this plan is to provide support for learning in our district schools. All areas of the school environment are

touched by technology with instruction being the most important. The plan calls for implementing strategies supporting current

technology thus incorporating new and emerging technologies into daily learning. It is our school district’s belief that students must

use and be introduced to the latest technologies in order to become life-long learners in the 21st century. It is the district’s goal to

provide technology tools for students and teachers to enable the greatest amount of learning possible to occur in a safe and responsible

manner. Technology tools will improve test scores, learning, data gathering and the general environment of the district.

Community Demographics

Community literacy is very low.

Many of the community members are willing to volunteer to participate in school programs.

Volunteers can serve as tutors, help with athletics and perform clerical duties.

The school system has formed partnership with community businesses, civic organizations and clubs.

Members of the community look to the school to provide adult education classes as well as some career training. This will further

enhance their job skills and help them enter the 21st century.

Goals of Community Engagement

Encourage parental and community involvement through improved communication is our effort to convey each desired message to the

intended audience using the most effective tool, whether it be a website, broadcast, telephone message, printed document, video

conference, or news release.

Use technology to encourage parental and community involvement through improved communication (websites)

Websites provide parents with real time information their students attendance and achievement, and about their student’s food service

account.

The community is just as important as any other factor. It takes in Public relations with the use of Local Broadcast Media. Partnership

is the key.

Community involvement also includes public libraries and their staff, and even local law enforcement officials.

Community interaction is there to improve community support and rapport through technology. The main objectives are:

1. To provide training opportunities in the field of technology for interested community members

2. To improve public image concerning public education

3. To collaborate with the county administrations to share resources

4. Develop in all community members aware of the benefits and perils of Internet use

These objectives will be carried out using these strategies:

Provide opportunities for community members to participate in technology training

Hold on-site classes to the community members to improve their education

Host workshops/trainings on Internet Safety for Parents and community members

Conduct survey among community members to find out their needs and interests

Provide opportunities to showcase technology to the community

Maintain the county’s and school’s website and keep it up-to-date on a weekly basis to keep the community informed of school

progress, events and policies

Keep parents and community well informed about different things taking place

Work with the county government to secure grants for improving technology in both the school system and the county

Post Internet Safety resources on the school web page

All of these will be ongoing and an annual evaluation will be done to see what needs to be changed or adjusted.

Host events such as the technology Extravaganza and make presentations for other school divisions on the use of technology.

The division will use the Instant Alert program to keep parents and students informed of school events, attendance, and other

important information, including school closings and emergency situations.

Persons Involved

IT Team

Superintendent

Resource Officer

Principals

Teachers

AP

Administrative Staff

County Officials

FUNDINGEffective Use of Technology Funding and Resources

Encourage the efficient use of funds and resources in a manner, which will ensure that all schools and students have access to

technologies that improve student competencies.

Strategies

1. Encourage school/business partnerships and matching fund programs.

a.) Brief local agencies, businesses, and community groups of the need for business education co-operation and public funding for

technology.

Wal-Mart matching funds

Writing Grants

Business partnerships

b.) Survey businesses to determine each one’s willingness and possible methods of contributing funds and/or other technology

support.

2. Develop a funding schedule for the technology infrastructure: maintenance, support, upgrading, expansion and addition of new

technologies.

a.) Develop an inventory of technology equipment in the business department and individual classrooms, updated yearly.

b.) Identify specific technologies that will need to be purchased.

c.) Follow district standards for purchasing new equipment and the upgrading of current equipment.

Equipment needed

Scanners Flip Cameras, Digital cameras Lab carts for Resource persons Student response system Website subscription Smart boards Smart phones Laptops (touch screen with stylus)

KEY TASK TABLE

Key Tasks Responsible Parties Funding Source Time Line

Develop and implement technology plan for consolidated funding to provide technology infrastructure with costs and resource requirements

School Technology Committee Central Office

Superintendent’s Office

Ongoing

Identify specific technologies that will need to be purchased

School Technology Committee Ongoing

Develop strategies for purchasing new equipment and the upgrading of current equipment

School Technology Committee Central office and school funding

Ongoing

Update inventory of technology equipment in school, all departments, and individual classrooms

Classroom Teachers School funding Ongoing

Brief local agencies, businesses, and community School Technology Committee Local Agencies/ Ongoing

groups of the need for business/education co-operation

businesses

Survey businesses to determine willingness and possible methods of contributing support

School Technology Committee

PTA

Community businesses/ Community support

Ongoing

SUMMARY BUDGET for TECHNOLOGY PLAN

EXPENSES YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3

2010 – 2011 2011 – 2012 2012 - 2013

Technology Infrastructure $50,000 $50,000 $50,000

Telecommunications Services $5,700 $3,000 $3,000

Maintenance and Upgrade Software $5,000 $3,000 $3,000

Professional Development $5,000 $5,000 $5,000

Technical Support $3,000 $3000 $3,000

Supplies/ Materials $15,000 $15,000 $15,000

As outlined in our Vision the aims of this Technology Plan are encompassed in these three headings. The ultimate goal of these

objectives and how they will be accomplished is improved grades and increased knowledge for our students.

A. Developing Global Learners

Align curriculum to incorporate interaction via technology with other states, and countries.

Incorporating Technology programs that enhance preparedness for international competition.

Utilize a variety of assessments that evaluate knowledge, skills, performance and disposition acquired.

B. Developing professional that function effectively in the 21st Century and beyond.

Professional development for teachers.

Access to 21st Century content and technology that guarantee increase in student learning.

C. Use Web 2.0 tools such as Skype, Twitter, etc. to advance education.

Data collecting systems that facilitate accountability and generate strategic reports.

Availability of resources and operational procedures.

Table outlining Technology Plan

Objective Resources Stakeholde

rs

Budget Date Benchmark

A. Developing global learner.

1. Curriculum alignment to incorporate global awareness courses.

North Carolina Standard Course of Study (K-12)

Access/Communication with other teachers in the global community

Web 2.0 Tools

Broadcast equipment

Computers with compatible software that facilitates worldwide /global communication.

Administration

Teachers

Curriculum Coaches (school, county and state representatives)

Global teachers

$10,000/yr July 2010 – June 2013

The curriculum will outline/include various ways in which technology will be used during lessons to facilitate global interactions and learning goals.

2. Install Software Programs.

Software Programs

Website and software subscriptions

Computers

Internet Access

Technology Director for the school

Media specialist

Principal/AP

County Technology

$ 30,000/yr July 2010 – June 2013

Students will have ready access (supervised) to computers and software that enables them to communicate globally.

Specialist

3. Update / Acquire Hardware

Computers and any relevant/necessary replacement parts.

BANDWIDTH (and other networks) that allow internet access.

Technician

Technology Director

Media Specialist

Principal/AP

$30,000/yr July 2010 – June 2013

Functioning hardware will be available to both teachers and students.

4. Use data from assessments to guide instruction.

Notebooks for teachers to conduct assessment (K-5)

IPod Touch for students to do their assessments (3-5)

Teachers

Principal/AP

Curriculum Coaches

$10,000/3yrs July 2010 – June 2013

Easy of storage and retrieval of required data to plan instruction

B. Developing professionals that function effectively in the 21st Century and beyond.

1. Use data from assessments to guide professional development

Certified Technology Coaches

Professional Development courses

Related Literature

Access to related websites.

Principal/AP

Curriculum Coaches

Professional Development Teachers

IT Coaches

Teachers/Staff

Students

$10,000/3yrs July 2010 – June 2013

Administration, Teachers and students have the required knowledge to effectively use notebooks and IPod touch and all other technologies available to them.

2. Support varied forums for training.

Online course

Local course (training labs/classroom setting)

Access to state provided courses

Surveys

Principal/AP

Teachers

IT Coaches

Professional Development Teachers

$2,000/yr July 2010 – June 2013

Teachers will attend these training sessions and then share knowledge with other teachers and utilize with students.

C. Use Web 2.0 Tools to advance education.

1. Ensure Accountability for students.

Signed computer use agreement.

Code of Conduct Book

List of computer etiquette rules

Internet filtering /monitoring/reporting tools

School Board

Principal/AP

Teachers

PTA President

Parents

Students

$3,000/3yrs July 2010 – June 2013

Students will be banned (time frame negotiable) if rules are not adhered.

2. Accountability for teacher and other staff members.

Signed computer use agreement

Copy of Code of Ethic booklet

Internet filtering/ monitoring/reporting tools

Training (in-service)

School Board

Principal/AP

Teachers

$3,000/3yrs Teachers will use ethics as they use computers that belong to the school. They will also ensure that this knowledge/practice transfers to the students

3. Available Resources Grants

donations

community partnerships

Government

School board

Principal/AP

PTA (to some degree)

$ 10,000/3yrs July 2010 – June 2013

As technology changes there will be available resources to acquire them, get trained and utilize them in the classroom.

NB. The Benchmark column of the table tells us results we will use to assess the effectiveness of that aspect of the plan.

EVALUATION

The evaluation process is used as a tool to assist the school to monitor the progress or success of the specified goals outlined in the

Technology Plan. As we evaluate, we make any necessary changes based on new developments and opportunities, the methods of

evaluation may also change and most importantly, evaluation guides the revision of goals and objectives by allowing for changes,

additions, deletions and highlight major accomplishments and new directions for moving forward.

The evaluation process ensures accountability and monitors progress. We can also evaluate the extent to which goals, objectives,

activities, resources and services are used to effectively integrate technology into curricula and instruction, enabling students to meet

challenging state academic standard, and develop life-long learning skills.

Evaluation will determine how the hardware and software and other

services will improve learning.

The Professional development committee will do on-going needs assessment of staff to determine opportunities geared to

specific needs.

The administration will monitor lesson plans for technology integration as well as encouraging for project based learning

geared around technology.

Develop an instrument that can be used to access progress in implementing the recommendations of this plan.

Conduct an annual survey as to how well the plan is working.

Assess the situation by preparing a roster/checklist and check lesson plans.

Conduct an annual survey for input in revising Internet Safety curriculum.

Conduct observations and walk- through at different times of the year.

Administrative observation and evaluation process will examine the integration of technology into the curriculum for all grade

levels, including performance assessment, projects, and online activities that incorporate inquiry based learning activities.

Create a survey that can be used to inventory current availability and use of electronic resources in each content area.

Collect data from teachers, students, and parents in relation to current resources using surveys and questionnaires.

Develop a reporting format to accompany the curriculum review that can communicate findings and recommendations.

Gather data from Parent Engagement and Satisfaction Survey regarding technology use and use this data to inform decisions

on how to strengthen the home and school connection utilizing technology.