never stop learning because life never stops teaching. · 1.1 integration of technology ... in...

1 | P a g e P L Y M O U T H P U B L I C S C H O O L S T E C H N O L O G Y P L A N 2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 8

Plymouth Public Schools

Technology Plan 2015 - 2018

UPDATE YEAR 3: 2017 – 2018 (April 2018) www.plymouth.k12.ma.us

Never stop learning because life never stops teaching. By Unknown

District Name: Plymouth Public Schools

LEA Code: 0239

Contact: Julia Zangl Colby Coordinator of Educational Technology & Instructional Media

Address: Plymouth Public Schools 253 South Meadow Road, Plymouth, MA 02360

E-Mail: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Plymouth Public Schools Technology Plan

Goal 1: Learning -- Engage and Empower

All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and out of school that prepare them to be creative and active lifelong learners.

What will PPS do over the life of this Technology Plan to ensure that learning

experiences are empowering, engaging, and supported by digital tools?

Yearly Progress Monitoring will be accomplished at the annual review of the Technology Plan which will occur in late spring. At that time, we will monitor the progress towards the goals in addition to updating/revising the goals in response to new developments and opportunities. This monitoring checklist is to be utilized for benchmarking and tracking of the goals we accomplished as well as the timeframe.

2015-16 2016-17 2017-18

Yearly Progress Monitoring

1.1 Integration of Technology

Utilizing surveys, provide staff professional development and opportunities focused on the integration of technology tools to support learning.

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Provide assistance to teachers for creating technology driven SMART goals.

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Promote the development of Student Digital Portfolios. □ ☑ ☑ 1.2 District-Wide Technology Information Resource

Publish a district-wide list of technology subscriptions ☑ ☑ ☑ Develop a library of web-based tutorials. ☑ ☑ ☑ Develop a library of technology and standards-based projects and/or instruction for secondary education.

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1.3 Elementary Technology Curriculum

Develop a year-long technology curriculum for students. ☑ ☑ ☑ Technology Integration Specialists will follow the curriculum throughout the year and report to the Technology Coordinator at the end of the year on positive/negative issues.

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Continue to update and improve the curriculum yearly. ☑ ☑ ☑ 1.4 Technology Program Updates

Integrate gaming/coding curriculum. ☑ ☑ ☑ Evaluate gaming curriculum and determine expansion. ☑ ☑ ☑ Based on evaluation, determine whether to expand gaming curriculum to other schools.

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1.5 Technology Literacy

Continue to collaborate on joint responsibility of technology benchmarks among Library Media Specialists, Technology Integration Specialists, and Literacy Coaches.

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Continue to support the usage of the online library catalog and circulations system as well as student research online databases maintained by the Library Media Specialists.

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1.6 Virtual Learning

Provide and improve course offerings for secondary education. ☑ ☑ ☑ Support teachers using tools in order to help with curriculum connections and online presence so students and teachers can collaborate in and outside of school.

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1.7 Educational TV Program (EDTV)

Continue to provide 24-hour coverage on the educational access channel.

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Publish all videos on-demand for the public to access. ☑ ☑ ☑ Provide a video production curriculum throughout the school system to provide educational opportunities for students

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Goal 1: Learning – Engage and Empower

Year 1 (2015-2016) Update Year 2 (2016-2017) and Year 3 (2017-2018) Update

Collaboration among staff is key to keeping the department focused together. There is a monthly joint meeting of the second TIS and 5 joint meetings with the elementary. This year, we started a summer kick-off meeting with the TSTs and we had a mid-year meeting and will have an end-of-the-year meeting. 1.1 Integration of Technology Christopher Campbell, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Administration & Instruction, conducted a survey addressing staff professional development which included a technology section. We will review these results to drive our planning of technology professional development for 2016-2017. Technology Integration Specialists meet with teachers, as requested, to help assist in creating technology-driven SMART goals. A focus for 2016-2017 will be to create a list with technology SMART Goals, aligning with our Professional Development. In order to support Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and allow access to curriculum tools for all our learners including those with special needs and ELL, we purchased Read & Write for Google. YEAR 2: Discussion and meetings have started for the development of Student Digital Portfolios as well as researching the best tool for the job. The English Language Arts Department has been focusing on “paper” portfolios for several years and has been in discussion to move to digital. We will partner with the English Language Arts Department to assist them in moving from paper to digital as well as investigate different options for templates. YEAR 3: We have been piloting various Student Digital Portfolios at all levels. At the elementary level, we have experimented with Wixie, Google Sites, and Google Drive. At the middle school level, we have piloted with 8th grade students using Google Sites and at the high school level, we have some students using Google Sites for portfolios. We will continue to research this topic and advise on standard recommendations at each level. 1.2 District-Wide Technology Information Resource In August 2015, the Technology Department published their Plymouth Public Schools “staff” web site encompassing a published list of purchased technology subscriptions, our top recommended tools with links to support and web-based tutorials, information on digital citizenship, as well as information on our technology support team.


Secondary Technology Integration Specialists have created Symbaloos for staff as well as a Symbaloo for use by elementary students when using the school Chromebooks. Symbaloo is a “start page” which allows you to easily navigate online resources by compiling all your sites into one visual interface. YEAR 2: We currently have a Symbaloo shared on all Elementary Student Chromebooks. This past year, Middle School and High School Symbaloos have been created for the student Chromebooks. Additionally, each of the four secondary schools has their own unique staff Symbaloo embedded into their Aspen Teacher Page. YEAR 3: The Education Technology website continues to be updated yearly with information for staff for MCAS testing, professional development, and current tools we support. We are currently reviewing this site and will be migrating information to our new District site during the school year 2018-2019. We will ensure our site will be accessible to individuals with disabilities and meet the accessibility guidelines by using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA standards. With a coordinated effort between the Technology Department and the Accountability and Measurement Department, a new innovative tool was introduced to Plymouth Public School teachers and students – Clever. Clever is a resource which bundles our digital tools in one place and allow Teachers and Students access via a single sign-on – using their Google account. Instant Login lets the students log into multiple applications with a single username and password. Secure Sync automatically creates, organizes and archives accounts between our Aspen Student Information System and our learning applications nightly. Students in K-2 can sign in using a Clever badge. Clever is fully FERPA compliant. Clever requires all its integrated applications to adhere to FERPA standards and Clever, as an organization, has won awards for its data privacy policies. Some of the applications accessible via Clever are CK-12 Foundation, Code.org, Common Sense Education, Khan Academy, Typing.com, College Board, and many more.


1.3 Elementary Technology Curriculum Elementary Technology Integration Specialists have completed their year-long technology curriculum for students containing nineteen units with lesson plans for every grade in each unit. We will meet at the end of the school year to discuss updates to the curriculum. With the potential of revised Massachusetts and ISTE standards, we will need to update the standards in the lesson plans. YEAR 2: During the summer of 2016, Elementary Technology Integration Specialists met to update the Units in the Elementary Curriculum. Unit titles are now broader in nature as well as containing an “Essential Question” for each Unit and Grade Level. The Massachusetts Standards released June 2016 were updated in the Scope and Sequence document. Additionally, a Curriculum Map was created listing all the K-5 Massachusetts Technology Literacy Standards and correlating these standards back to our 19 elementary units to determine if there were any standards we were not addressing. This document has been finalized and ready to publish. We are currently beginning to address the Lesson Plans for each of the units. These Lesson Plans will be developed to complement the Units and new Standards. YEAR 3: Lesson Plans for all 19 units for each grade level – Kindergarten through Grade 5 have been updated and completed. A Units of Study Overview Document has been created providing an overview of all 19 teaching units and including the Units’ Essential Questions for Kindergarten through Grade 5, providing an excellent resource for Administrators, Classroom Teachers, and Parents. A Units of Study Checklist was created so that each Technology Integration Specialist can document the standards being addressed in each grade level. A Google site for Plymouth staff has been created housing all our technology curriculum, lesson plans, Curriculum Map, Units of Study Overview, Checklist, and Standards. Additionally, an area on the site has been created for ISTE and Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards, STEAM and Virtual Reality resources. 1.4 Technology Program Updates The Gaming and Coding curriculum at PNHS ran ten classes this school year, with 213 students enrolled.

Fall 2015 • Evolution of Games -- 3 classes with 71 students. • Animation 3D Modeling -- 1 class with 19 students. • Intro to Gaming -- Alternative High School class with 9 students. Spring 2016 • Game Design -- 3 classes with 71 students. • Intro to Gaming -- 2 classes with 43 students. 2016-2017 • 240 projected students -- five classes per semester (120 students each semester).

In the summer of 2015 a one-week Coding Workshop was offered for students entering grades 6, 7, and 8. The students had a high interest in the topics, they came every day eager to learn and code. The games that they were creating were fun and engaging. This summer (2016) we have increased our offering to two weeks.


The program has been expanded to PCIS after-school with 30 students participating in a course running 12 weeks for a total of 18 hours in the Spring of 2016. PSMS has been offering an after-school club for coding using Scratch. In December of 2015, to celebrate Computer Science Week, over 4,800 Plymouth Public School students, representing elementary, middle, and high school, participated in the Hour of Code. We had a goal of surpassing our number from last year of 4,000 students. Teachers from Technology Education, VoTech, Math, Science, Tech & Engineering, Communicating with Technology, Problem Solving, as well as Librarians and Technology Integration Specialists participated with students in this fun event.

The Hour of Code is a global movement with over 100 million students participating at 77,000 events in over 180 countries. Organized by Code.org (www.code.org), a public non-profit dedicated to expanding participation in computer science, it is a one-hour introduction to computer science, with tutorials available in over 40 languages.

YEAR 2: The Gaming and Coding curriculum at PNHS ran eight classes this school year, with 184 students enrolled. Projection for next school year, 2017-2018, is 240 students. Next school year, the program will be expanding to Plymouth South High School. In January at the Tech Expo, Susan Harrison and four students showcased the Entertainment Technology Academy offered at North and South (next year) to PCIS and PSMS 8th grade students. In the summer of 2016, a total of four coding workshops were offered for students entering grades 6, 7, and 8 – two AM and two PM sessions. The students in the afternoon session of week two formed a team, collaborated together, and created a game. In the summer of 2017, it is anticipated that we will run three weeks of AM coding workshop. Technovation Club, an after-school club, is currently being offered at Plymouth North High School, offering girls the opportunity to learn the skills to emerge as tech entrepreneurs and leaders. Girls work in teams to build both a mobile app and a business plan to launch the app. They are supported by mentor (Susan Harrison) and guided by Technovations curriculum which takes students through four stages of launching a mobile app startup, inspired by the principles of design thinking.

The Technology Department has started to integrate STEM devices into the various schools. Additionally, Librarians have started Makerspaces and are also incorporating these devices.

West Elementary is offering an after-school “coding” club. The students are using Code.org and Bloxels which is a hands-on platform for kids to build, collaborate, and tell stories through video game creation. The Coding Club will meet for a period of 10 weeks. Over 100 students expressed interest in the club and the club is currently at capacity with 26 students. Due to the high interest, West Elementary looks forward to expanding the club to accommodate more students in the future.

http://www.code.org/


In December 2016, to celebrate Computer Science Week, over 5,024 Plymouth Public School students, representing elementary, middle, and high school, participated in the Hour of Code. We surpassed our 2015 number of 4,800 students and our 2014 number of 4,000 students.

In December 2017, 4552 students participated.

YEAR 3: School Year 2017-2018, the Gaming and Coding curriculum at PNHS ran ten classes, with 148 students enrolled. There is also a class running at Plymouth South High School this school year. In the summer of 2017, a total of three coding workshops were offered for students entering grades 6, 7, and 8. Classes were Game Maker, Game Salad, and Game Star Mechanic. In the summer of 2018, we anticipate three coding workshops and will introduce another new workshop – Arcade Game Design which includes the use of Hummingbird Robotics Kits. Girls Who Code: This club is a place for girls to get together and learn computer science by building a project of their own choosing. This club encourages young ladies to work in teams to design and build a Computer Science “CS” Impact Project which solves real world problems they care about through code. This year, three seniors participated and created a website to help middle school students find the help they need on homework quickly and easily. Through this project, the girls learned fundamental computer science concepts while also building teamwork and leadership skills. This program also exposes and encourages students in 10th and 11th grade to apply to go to the Summer Immersion Program, which is a free 7-week summer program for rising juniors and seniors to learn computer science, gain exposure to tech jobs, and join a supportive sisterhood of thousands of girls across the United States. Next year there is the potential to open this club to girls in grades 6 through 12. In December 2017, to celebrate Computer Science Week, over 4,642 Plymouth Public School students, representing elementary, middle, and high school, participated in the Hour of Code. Every year, all our elementary students participate in this event.

1.5 Technology Literacy Secondary staff collaborates on joint ventures, such as Collaboration Train, High School Collaboration, and Collaboration Cafe -- all of which are collaborations between the Technology Integration Specialist, Librarian, and Literacy Coach. At the elementary level, we will continue to investigate creative ways to collaborate with Librarians. Secondary Technology Integration Specialists have collaborated with ELA staff and participated in Literacy Department Meetings. Technology Integration Specialists, Librarians, and Literacy Coaches continue to collaborate and work together as a team. Some examples of collaboration are in research, standards-based classroom projects, and Makerspaces.


1.6 Virtual Learning In its 14th year of offering online courses to supplement the district curricular offerings, 209 students from Plymouth North High School, Plymouth South High School, Plymouth Alternative High School, Pilgrim Collaborative, Plymouth Community Intermediate School and Plymouth South Middle School enrolled in AP courses, electives, courses for academic acceleration, and credit recovery classes from Virtual High School and Plato Edmentum. Five high school students, using online curricula, worked independently with a math teacher during the summer to accelerate their program of math studies, enabling them to enroll in AP Calculus AB in their junior year. Virtual Summer School enrolled an additional 94 students from Plymouth and neighboring districts, who were given the opportunity to recover credits and improve grades with local teachers facilitating the online courses. YEAR 2: In its 15th year of offering online courses to supplement the district curricular offerings, students from Plymouth North High School (PNHS) , Plymouth South High School (PSHS) , Plymouth Alternative High School (PAHS), Pilgrim Collaborative, Plymouth Community Intermediate School (PCIS) and Plymouth South Middle School (PSMS) enrolled in AP courses, electives, courses for academic acceleration, and credit recovery classes from Virtual High School, Plato Edmentum, Brigham Young University Independent Study, and custom courses created in Google Classroom. Nine high school students, using online curricula, worked independently with a math teacher during the summer to accelerate their program of math studies, enabling them to enroll in AP Calculus AB in their junior year. Twenty PCIS and PSMS students enrolled in Geometry during the school year to accelerate their math levels, and two students at PCIS engaged in a pilot program to study Algebra II online. Virtual Summer School enrolled 98 students from Plymouth and neighboring districts, who were given the opportunity to recover credits and improve grades with local teachers facilitating the online courses. Seat Breakdown: PNHS – 76/PSHS – 37/PAHS – 27/PCIS – 24/PSMS - 20 Summer School – 98/Summer Math Acceleration – 9 YEAR 3: Virtual Learning is in its 16th year of offering online courses to supplement the district curricular offerings. Twenty students, using online curricula, worked independently with a math teacher during the summer to accelerate their program of math studies – PreCalculus. Four students studied Solar Design. Twenty-two students at PCIS and twenty students at PSMS enrolled in Geometry during the school year to accelerate their math levels. Virtual Summer School enrolled 101 students from Plymouth and neighboring districts, who were given the opportunity to recover credits and improve grades with local teachers facilitating the online courses.


Seat Breakdown: PNHS – 51/PSHS – 71/PAHS – 27/PCIS – 22/PSMS - 20 Summer School – 101/Summer Math Acceleration – 20/Solar Design – 4 The Technology Integration Specialists are working with teachers and providing professional development to assist teachers in establishing an online presence and provide more blended learning. Teachers are using tools such as Google Classroom, Edmodo, Schoology, Twitter, Google Sites, Remind, and Weebly. 1.7 Educational TV Program Our Educational TV Program provides 24-hour coverage on the educational access channel. All videos are published on-demand for access by staff, students, parents, and community members. From September 2015 through January 2016, 187 videos were created with 30,194 plays online. We currently have 16 Student video programs in the district:

• High School Video Programs – 6 2 Broadcast News, 2 Film Production, 2 Alternative High School

• Middle School Video Programs – 2 • Elementary Video Programs – 8

From September 2016 through January 2017, 207 videos were created with 41,084 plays online.



Goal 2: Assessment -- Measure What Matters

What will PPS do over the life of this Technology Plan to leverage the power of technology to help facilitate and drive change while continually improving our

education system?


2015-16 2016-17 2017-18


2.1 Technology Skills Assessments

Create a measurement of student skills addressing the Technology Standards for Students as well as 21st-century competencies for evaluating skills and knowledge students need to learn effectively and live productively in an increasingly global and digital world.

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Create a Skills Survey for Staff to evaluate the skills and knowledge educators need to teach, work, and learn in an increasingly connected global and digital society. (Note: A drop-down list of staff groupings would be included for statistics.)

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2.2 Technology Needs Assessments

Develop a Staff Needs Survey in order to be proactive in addressing the needs of the teachers in the classroom. (Note: A drop-down list of staff groupings would be included for statistics.)

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Review annually the Plymouth Public Schools Technology Plan to monitor progress towards plan goals and update/revise goals in response to new developments and opportunities.

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2.3 Technology Feedback Form Develop a Technology Staff Feedback Form completed by building staff focusing on how the Technology Department is meeting the needs of the staff.

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2.4 Professional Development Data

Analyze forms completed by all Technology Integration Specialists documenting the type of professional development, content, attendance, and hours for professional development completed.

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Analyze forms completed by Teachers Supporting Technology (TSTs) documenting the type of professional development, content, attendance, and hours for professional development completed.

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Obtain and document data from other staff involved in professional development.

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Goal 2: Assessment – Measure What Matters Year 1 (2015-2016) Update Year 2 (2016-2017) and Year 3 (2017-2018) Update Our focus is to leverage the power of technology to help facilitate and drive change while continually improving our education system. 2.1 Technology Skills Assessments Based on the fact that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released a draft of a total rework of the student technology standards and ISTE has also drafted a complete revision of their standards, we have tabled the process of assessing technology skills for teachers/students. Elementary TIS have a complete year-long curriculum which addresses all the current Massachusetts Tech Standards. YEAR 2: As a beginning to this process at the Elementary level, we have created an Elementary Curriculum Map which correlates with the newly released Massachusetts Technology and Literacy Standards for Elementary. We are documenting each standard and the specific unit in which it is taught. Before we can assess, we want to ensure that the standards are being addressed at all levels. Next school year we will begin to put together a checklist for elementary student assessment. Additionally, next school year, we will begin working on a Skills Survey for Staff to evaluate the skills and knowledge educators need to teach, work, and learn in an increasingly connected global and digital society. YEAR 3: We have developed a Units of Study Checklist at the elementary level. The Technology Integration Specialists are keeping a checklist of the lessons/standards which elementary students are taught. This allows us to review which standards are being addressed during the school year. Each year, there is staff and student growth in the integration and application of technology in the curriculum. All staff now have a laptop or a chromebook; a projector; document cameras at the secondary level; this year, Kindergarten teachers were allocated document cameras. Teachers at the new South High School all have an interactive projector. Teachers received a training in the summer and are using the interactivity of the board. Google Domain Stats for Active Users in the Student Domain


2.2 Technology Needs Assessments Christopher Campbell, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Administration & Instruction, conducted a survey addressing staff professional development, which included a technology section. We will review these results to drive our planning of technology professional development for 2016-2017. This Technology Plan is a working document and will be assessed annually. Our Technology Committee met on February 25, 2016, to discuss our progress towards plan goals in addition to reviewing/updating/revising goals in response to new developments and opportunities. Updates and revisions are documented as an addendum to the Technology Plan and will be posted on our website. YEAR 2: Our Technology Committee met on February 13, 2017, to discuss our progress towards plan goals in addition to reviewing/updating/revising goals in response to new developments and opportunities. Updates and revisions are documented as an addendum to the Technology Plan and will be posted on our website. YEAR 3: We are beginning the process of forming an updated Technology Committee to work on our three-year plan through 2021.

2.3 Technology Feedback Form Upon recommendation by Committee members, we are going to focus and implement by the end of our school year some NPS (Net Promoter Score) type questions to begin measuring the impact of our various technology facets.

At the end of the 2015-2016 school year, a Technology Survey was distributed to all staff in the district. We received 372 responses. For 2016-2017, we received For 2016-2017, we received 249 responses.

Critical questions and responses are documented below:

Have you put a Trouble Ticket in this year to request a Technician’s services? Yes: 89.2% No: 10.8% 2015-16

Yes: 89.6% No: 10.4% 2016-17

How happy are you with the Technicians who have been at your school this year? Responding with an 8/9/10 score, was a total of 92.2% 2015-16 Responding with an 8/9/10 score, was a total of 95.6% 2016-17

How happy are you with the Technology Integration Specialist support offered at your building? Responding with an 8/9/10 score, was a total of 80.1% 2015-16 Responding with an 8/9/10 score, was a total of 85.5% 2016-17

Have you worked with your school’s Technology Integration Specialist this year on ways to integrate technology? 64.8% answered Yes 2015-16 57.4% answered Yes 2016-17

Have you attended any professional development provided by your Technology Integration Specialist this year? 60.8% answered Yes 69.5% answered Yes


How happy are you with the services of our Technology Department? Responding with an 8/9/10 score, was a total of 88.7% 2015-16 Responding with an 8/9/10 score, was a total of 88.7% 2016-17 (same percentage)

Major Comments made in the Survey 2015-16: Category: Wireless

• Numerous comments on the inadequate wireless/Internet access/bandwidth. • Teachers wishing to get on the wireless network with their personal devices. • Teachers asking why students get on the wireless network and they do not.

Category: Technology Integration Specialist

• Teacher complaints about the need for equal coaching time. Not equitable among the buildings. • Many complaints about losing the Technology Integration Specialist mid-year and having a

substitute. Also, the turnover in the position is not helpful to the teachers looking for coaching. • Comments regarding the need for an additional Technology Integration Specialist at the

elementary level because of the additional kindergarten classes. • Requesting more coaching time. • Access to a tech coach before and after school has been extremely productive and exciting for me. • Amazing to have a Technology Integration Specialist in the building to help us with projects. • Many positive comments on individual Technology Integration Specialists.

Category: Technicians

• Many positive comments regarding how they address technology trouble tickets. • Quick to respond; Respond in a timely fashion.

YEAR 3:

Concern with desktops and laptops being updated. Resolved: Teachers have received either a new laptop or Chromebook.

Concern with lack of Technology Integration Specialist at certain buildings and, therefore, the lack of coaching time. Resolved: A .4 TIS was hired for Hedge Elementary School.

Positive Comments: Very personable, patient, always willing to help, amazing, department is fantastic, very responsive, helpful, knowledgeable, fast turn-around time, always willing to help integrate technology, wonderful ideas, our technology integration specialist is an important part of our professional development, would like more opportunities to work with the Technology Integration Specialist.

2.4 Professional Development Data We have started the process of gathering professional development data from the secondary Technology Integration Specialists. This year is an exploratory year -- gathering the data, assessing the data, and making sure we are gathering all the data we need. We will evaluate and analyze the data at the end of the school year to determine if there needs to be any adjustments to the collection for next school year as well as the content.


This year, there was a Technology Choice In-Service at each school as well as technology being offered during Choice sessions at the High School and Elementary Schools. A total of 45 workshops were offered on the following topics: Assessing Student Performance Assessment Tools in the Elementary Classroom Blogger BrainPop Chromebooks Class DoJo Creating Presentations Creating Student Videos Discovery Education Streaming District Management Systems -- Aspen and Baseline Edge Doctupus and Goobric EDM Tools ENO Boards and Easiteach Google Apps and Extensions Google Apps for Evidence in Baseline Edge Google Chrome Extensions Google Classroom Google Drive Google Earth Google Drive and Docs Basics Graphic Design Green Screen Hour of Code Infographics Mindmapping Pinterest in Education QR Codes Reading and Writing Technology Tools Research Tools SMART Notebook Speaking and Listening Tools Spritz Reader Tech in the Music Department Tech Tips Tech Tools Technology Basics Tools for Formative and Summative Assessments Tools for Grade 5 Classroom Turn It In Twitter and Educational Chats Zaption


School Year 2016-2017 saw Choice In-Service opportunities at each school in addition to a full-day of professional development. A total of 53 technology workshops were offered on the following topics (through March 2017): Active Readers, Accessible Text through Online Google Tools Chromebooks Clever Creating Games for Review Demystifying Social Media Desmos Online Graphing Calculator Ditch those Trifolds EdPuzzle Flipped Classroom Strategies Formative Assessment Tools Google Classroom Google Classroom Add-Ons Google Drive Google Drive 101 Google Drive Starter Kit Google Forms Google Forms for Assessment Greenscreen Video Project-Based Learning Mathcasting Mystery Skype PPS Blended Learning Prodigy Rubrics in Google Docs/Classroom See-Saw for Digital Portfolios Student Created Videos Teacher Websites with Weebly Tech Tools – 20 Top 10 Teacher Tech Tools Using Chromebooks in the Classroom Wixie In addition to workshops being offered by Technology Integration Specialists, workshops are also offered by TSTs (Teachers Supporting Technology) at all of the schools. YEAR 3: Workshops continue to be offered by the Education Technology Coordinator, the Technology Integration Specialists, and the TSTs. Technology choices were offered at our all-day professional development as well as Building Choice in-service sessions. Many Technology Integration Specialists also make workshops available in their buildings, both before school and after school. Each year, the choices revolve around technology tools which are most beneficial for staff and student learning.



Goal 3: 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.

What will PPS do over the life of this Technology Plan to ensure that educators are

prepared to teach 21st Century learners and are connected to technology resources that support teaching and learning?


2015-16 2016-17 2017-18


3.1 Strengthen Professional Development

Provide professional development opportunities addressing all levels of technology proficiency.

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Increase professional development opportunities. ☑ ☑ ☑ Pilot alternative professional development channels. □ ☑ ☑ Provide online professional development opportunities. □ ☑ ☑ Promote and provide initial professional development opportunities for teachers new to Plymouth Public Schools.

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3.2 Strengthen Family and Community Connections

Provide technology workshops for families and community members.

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Plan and implement a “tech” night for families and the community. ☑ ☑ ☑


3.3 Technology Surveys

Conduct an annual staff survey addressing their competency, needs, and growth.

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Conduct an annual survey addressing the satisfaction level of the interaction between Technology Integration Specialists and staff.

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Investigate and implement technology survey for students. □ □ □ 3.4 Technology Professional Development Specialists/Teachers Supporting Technology Continue to employ Teachers Supporting Technology (TSTs) at each school to assist with technology professional development.

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Restructure the responsibilities of Teachers Supporting Technology (TSTs) to maximize professional development.

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3.5 Technology Integration Specialists Continue to employ at minimum one instructional technology specialist at each of the secondary schools.

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Continue to employ at minimum six instructional technology specialists at the elementary level.

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Increase the number of instructional technology specialists at the elementary level to 6.5 in order to provide equitable coaching time for teachers and adequate time for the Technology Integration Specialists to perform non-instructional tasks required for the technology to run smoothly and seamlessly in their building.

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Goal 3: Teaching – Prepare and Connect Year 1 (2015-2016) Update Year 2 (2016-2017) and Year 3 (2017-2018) Update Our focus is to ensure that educators are prepared to teach 21st Century learners and are connected to technology resources that support teaching and learning. 3.1 Strengthen Professional Development The Technology Integration Specialists provide sessions and address the diverse needs of the teachers by providing leveling at the workshops. We continue to brainstorm and offer more professional development opportunities. Some of the professional development channels we offer:

• PLCs • Tech Choice sessions -- 41 offered 2015-2016 • TSTs are now providing choice sessions • Sessions for new teachers at the secondary level • New teacher training - Summer and Mid-Year • Open House at the Middle Schools -- TIS did a presentation for parents. • Department Meetings • In-Service for Departments

Our department continues to offer various professional development channels for staff. We are involved in PLCs, offer tech choice sessions, provide sessions for new teachers, provide technology support at various open houses, offer support at curriculum department meetings, and more. Through March 2017, 53 tech choice in-service sessions have been offered by TISs and TSTs.

Plymouth Public Schools wants to ensure that all staff and students using social media for professional purposes do so in a safe and responsible manner. We created social media guidelines which provide guidance regarding recommended practices for professional social media communication between Plymouth Public School employees, as well as social media communication between Plymouth Public School employees and students.

These guideline categories are: Staff Responsibility with Social Media, Social Media Respect, Social Media Content and Confidentiality, Employee Transparency, and Online Identity Monitoring.

At the start of the school year, the Technology Department provided staff with a social media poster – THINK. These posters are displayed throughout the schools and in the classrooms.


Plymouth Public Schools Blended Learning

Our department has created an alternative professional development online option for staff.

Objectives are to increase teacher fluency in technology tools, influence curriculum design including integration of the SAMR model, and provide professional learning that prepares teachers for an educational environment where every student has a device.

In December 2016, we released our Blended Learning Challenge #1. As of March 13, we have 396 badges earned and 94 participants. We will begin working on our Challenge #2 for release next school year. Each Challenge has 10 challenge activities for staff to complete. Challenge #1 focuses on introductory Google related tasks and supports teachers’ growth within the SAMR model.

3.2 Strengthen Family and Community Connections Provide technology workshops for families and community members.

• Published “Data Safeguarding our Students: Google Apps for Education” for School Committee and, ultimately, for Plymouth Public Schools’ families.

• Published link to Comcast Internet Essentials Program on our PPS website -- accessible under Families and Communities.

• Manomet International Night featured many technology projects. • West Elementary Math Night included the Technology Integration Specialist presenting the

Hour of Code to parents. • Middle School Open House - Parent workshops were offered on Aspen, following up with an

email attaching handouts. As a follow-up, PCIS emailed Aspen handouts; as a result, PCIS had over 95% of their families obtain their own Aspen family portal username.

• Newsletters, Teacher Websites, Social Media, Aspen • Technology Integration Specialists volunteered at the Robotics Rally.

• In September 2015, Katie Greer visited our middle schools and high schools to present on Internet safety. In April, she will also be visiting each of our elementary schools to present on Internet safety as well as presenting for parents.

• PSHS – Parents, teachers, and national honor society students chose their favorite themed backdrops and were photographed using iPads and a green screen.

• In April 2016, PCIS hosted a Spaghetti Dinner for incoming families to PCIS. Chromebook carts were displayed and families were given directions on how to obtain a family portal account in Aspen.

• Technology Integration Specialists representing all three levels were available to present at the first Family Leadership Conference day in May 2016.

• Technology Coordinator assisted Emily Goonan, PPS Media and Communications Specialist, with a presentation on students using social media at the Family Leadership Conference.


• Superintendent Gary Maestas, Technology Coordinator Julia Colby, and Media and Communications Specialist Emily Goonan presented at the MassCUE Technology Conference in October as well as the MassCUE Leadership Conference. The topic was social media and Plymouth’s focus on pushing out the positive.

• Nancy Dawson, Online Teacher, participated in AP night at PNHS, demonstrating and explaining online electives and AP courses to potential students and their families from both high schools.

• Technology Integration Specialists from all levels volunteered at the Elementary Robotics Rally. They worked with the students at the various centers focusing on coding and engineering. Nancy Nicolas, Technology Integration Specialist for Indian Brook Elementary School, was the lead coach for the Robotics teams at IBES

• All Technology Integration Specialists have a website documenting technology at their school. At the Elementary level, TIS have websites which students can access at home and reinforce their skills and also inform parents about the curriculum they are teaching.

• All Technology Integration Specialists have an education Twitter account which they use to tweet out what is happening with technology in their buildings. They highlight and share the many projects they work on both in technology classes and in the general education classrooms.

• EdTV promotes the use of technology in the classroom by integrating technology stories into their published videos.

• Manomet International Night features many technology projects.

• Technology Integration Specialists contribute to school-wide newsletters and school-wide Twitter Posts.

• District wide Assistive Technology Specialist provides training to parents on technology tools their student uses to access the curriculum.

• In Spring of 2017, PCIS School Council will be hosting a technology information night for grandparents of PCIS students.

• Linda Lonergan, South Elementary School Technology Integration Specialist, worked with Grade 3 students and created a series of videos explaining “The Leader in Me” eight habits. These videos are to be shared with parents to inform and educate them about the program.

• Jolianne Boucher, West Elementary School Technology Integration Specialist, hosted an Hour of Code during Math Night.

YEAR 3: The Technology Department continues to support buildings and staff in the blending of technology into the daily lives of students and staff. Technology Integration Specialists support their Principal and staff in multiple ways, such as those noted previously – from newsletters, to tweets, to providing professional development, to hosting events, and assisting at events.

Plymouth Public Schools has partnered with Blackboard and will be moving our website platform to their product – Web Community Manager.


The Education Technology Coordinator has been working on our new District website which will be go live to our staff, parents, and community members on Monday, April 9th. Administrators and website editors have received training in the updating of content as well as keeping our website accessible relative to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA. Technology Integration Specialists have been assisting and supporting in the creation of the website.

3.3 Technology Surveys In conjunction with moving forward and addressing Technology Surveys, we will also focus on Technology Feedback Forms listed in Goal 2.

3.4 Teachers Supporting Technnology (TSTs) This school year we have 39 Teachers Supporting Technology (TSTs) assisting at their individual schools with technology support. In addition, the TSTs have been an asset in helping to provide technology professional development during the Tech Choice sessions. The TSTs are recording their professional development in a form so it can be monitored and we can see what type of trainings as well as the type of tools are being included in the trainings.

We have restructured the TSTs this year. TSTs had to apply for the position; they had to attend the summer kick-off meeting, mid-year meeting as well as the end-of-year meeting.

We will continue to brainstorm ways to make this model effective for our teachers and students.

YEAR 2: During the school year 2016-2017, 20 TSTs were selected to attend a day at the MassCUE Technology Conference. In return, they provide professional development at our in-service choice sessions. This has proven to be an excellent model – teachers are excited about attending the conference; they take the knowledge back with them and share; they are taking on a technology leadership role in their building, and they provide professional development at our in-service sessions.

The TSTs were selected from multiple curriculum areas. In addition, there are four Aspen TSTs providing support to staff at the secondary schools on Aspen related issues. Schools, Teachers, and the Technology Department have come to rely on TSTs for not only providing Aspen support to staff but additionally for providing sessions during our in-service time. We are grateful to these TSTs for becoming technology leaders in their building.

YEAR 3: We have continued with this model. A total of 23 TSTs were selected and attended the MassCUE Technology Conference. These TSTs then offer professional development to other staff members during Building Choice Professional Development In-Service days.


3.5 Technology Integration Specialists Plymouth Public Schools continues to employ one instructional technology specialist at each of the secondary schools and six at the elementary level.

With the addition of Kindergarten classes at the elementary schools for school year 2016-2017, there is not equitable coaching time for Federal Furnace and Hedge elementary schools. A .5 Technology Integration Specialist could be utilized at Hedge Elementary School which would, in turn, give coaching time, in addition to time to perform the non-instructional tasks of the position, to Hedge Elementary as well as Federal Furnace Elementary.

A Technology Integration Specialist at the elementary level is responsible for not only teaching classes but is also responsible for many technology tasks in the building which makes the use of technology flow seamlessly throughout the school. Please refer to Chart 3.5a and 3.5b documenting TIS hours in Term 1 and Term 2 as well as Table 3.5 listing the non-instructional tasks supported by the TIS.


Chart 3.5a

Chart 3.5b

44%

11%2%

0%32%

4%

7%

Technology Integration Specialist Daily HoursTERM 1

(September - November 13, 2016)

Teacher/Classroom Support

Professional DevelopmentTrainingCurriculum Dept/Grade LevelMeetingBuilding Faculty Meeting

Non-Instructional TechManagement/SupportManagement of BlendedProfessional DevelopmentOther

46%

10%3%

0%

32%

3%

6%

Technology Integration Specialist Daily HoursTERM 2

(November 14, 2016 - January 31, 2017

Teacher/Classroom Support

Professional Development Training

Curriculum Dept/Grade LevelMeeting

Building Faculty Meeting

Non-Instructional TechManagement/Support

Management of BlendedProfessional Development

Other


TABLE 3.5

Non-Instructional Tech Management/Support and Other Categories

Computer Lab Management

• Clear browser data; Clear profiles, extensions, add-ons, settings. • Create appointment calendars for Computer Labs • Software updates.

Chromebook and iPad Cart Management

• Create appointment calendars for Chromebook Carts • Create appointment calendars for iPad Carts • Creating inventories when requested • Delivery of Chromebook carts, laptop carts, ipad carts • Clean, Reorganize, Label • Update Chromebooks in carts to updated Chrome version.

Beginning of Year/End of Year

• Creating Google ID’s for Students. Get information to School Data Processing Secretary so student Google ID can be entered into Aspen.

• Clever ID Management • Redistribute devices at beginning of school year – Document Cameras, Projectors,

Chromebook Carts, iPad Carts, Headphones, Mice, Adapters, Presenters, Eno Pens • Collecting devices from teachers at end of school year.

Throughout the Year

• Creating and Managing Google ID’s for new students • Creating/Editing/Updating Symbaloo for Teachers and Students • Installing Webcams • Update/Install Printer Drivers • Organize Hour of Code • Creating Infographics, Presentations, Handouts for Staff • Newsletters, Brochures, Publications • MediaMaster Issues throughout the Building • Apple Configurator for iPads • Clever ID’s. Generate new id’s and badge. • Ordering Technology Supplies. Assisting with Purchase Orders. • Assist with network issues. • Social Media Promotion – gather information and tweet. • Family and community communication using social media.


• Maintain a technology website. • Support for District website. • Train Tech Helper students. • Organize and work with TST in the schools. • Organize in-choice sessions. Work with TSTs to organize sessions. • Attend technology webinars, workshops, online tutorials to keep up-to-date with the latest

tools and changes to technology. • Maintain the Computer Lab – clean/dust.

MCAS/PARCC

• Prepare Chromebooks before and after MCAS online testing • Distribute and monitor Chromebooks and peripheral devices during online MCAS testing. • Troubleshoot during MCAS online testing. • Prepare and distribute handouts for MCAS online testing

By viewing the above charts from Semester 1 and Semester 2, it is evident that the Technology Integration Specialists focus their time on:

• 44%/46% of their time is focused on working with teachers; • 43%/42% of their time is focused on non-instructional tasks.

Based on these numbers, it is even more critical to ensure that a Technology Integration Specialist has enough hours to be able to perform their non-instructional duties as well as their coaching support for teachers.

YEAR 3: With the addition of a Technology Integration Specialist teaching two days at Hedge Elementary School, we are able to equitably provide the teaching of computer classes to elementary students and coaching for teaching staff not only at Hedge Elementary School but also at the school who previously shared a Technology Integration Specialist with Hedge.



Goal 4: Infrastructure -- Access and Enable

What will PPS do over the life of this Technology Plan to ensure that all students

and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for teaching and learning?


2015-16 2016-17 2017-18


4.1 Available Broadband Access

Provide available options for broadband access to the Internet and adequate wireless connectivity out of school.

☑ ☑ ☑

4.2 Upgrade Data Switches

Upgrade our core data switches (main switches in the schools). □ ☑ ☑ 4.3 Upgrade Bandwidth

Increase the bandwidth of our circuits. ☑ ☑ ☑ 4.4 Wireless Access Points Install and Upgrade Install and/or upgrade wireless access points in school buildings; connectivity to the access point; cabling and installation.

□ ☑ ☑

4.5 Mobile Device Management System Research and implement a Mobile Device Management System for use in a BYOD environment.

□ □ □


4.6 Provide Laptops for Faculty Provide laptops for middle school faculty. □ ☑ ☑ Provide laptops for elementary school faculty. □ □ ☑ Cycle laptops for high school faculty. □ □ ☑ 4.7 Ensure Access to Devices and Resources for Research, Communication, Multimedia Creation and Collaboration. Research and develop a plan to provide mobile technology for students at the classroom level.

□ □ □

Continue to research and provide access to shared mobile devices as well as classroom devices.

☑ ☑ ☑

Ensure availability of dedicated projectors for all classrooms. ☑ ☑ ☑ 4.8 Annual Software Review Perform an annual review of our software inventory and the method of delivery to ensure optimum delivery of content.

☑ ☑ ☑

4.9 Centralized Printing Evolve towards a centralized approach to printing at all levels. ☑ ☑ ☑


Goal 4: Infrastructure – Access and Enable Year 1 (2015-2016) Update Year 2 (2016-2017) and Year 3 (2017-2018) Update

Our goal is to ensure that all students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for teaching and learning. 4.1 Available Broadband Access We continue to provide available options for broadband access to the Internet. 4.2 Upgrade Data Switches The upgrade of the data switches has not taken place at this time. YEAR 2: The core data switches at all twelve schools have been updated. The “core” is the main switch in each school. The Edge switches still need to be updated in the schools. YEAR 3: We continue to upgrade our aging data switches in the district. This past fall, data switches at both middle schools were upgraded. During the summer of 2018, we will be upgrading some of our edge switches at our elementary schools. 4.3 Upgrade Bandwidth In 2014-2015 we had two 200 MBPS Internet circuits providing Internet access to the school district. We have increased one of our Internet circuits to 500 MBPS; the other remains at 200 MBPS under contract until 2017. In the summer of 2017, we will continue to utilize one 500 MBPS Internet circuit. The 200 MBPS Internet circuit will be replaced. The vendor and speed of the circuit will be determined at that time. YEAR 2: During the summer of 2017, we upgraded our 200 MBPS circuit to a 2 GBPS circuit. Our 500 MBPS Internet circuit is still active. During the summer of 2018, our 500 MBPS circuit will be upgraded to 1 GBPS.


4.4 Wireless Access Points Install and Upgrade We will be upgrading and increasing access points within our schools with E-Rate funding. The first priority will be Plymouth North High School. YEAR 2: To date, all access points at Plymouth North High School have been upgraded. Next school year (2017-18) the two middle schools will be targeted for upgrades. YEAR 3: All access points at both high schools are new/upgraded. During the summer of 2018, we will be upgrading our elementary schools. The two middle schools will be addressed in the future. 4.5 Mobile Device Management System – YEAR 3: We are currently in the process of evaluating mobile device management systems to work with our ipad devices. We anticipate having this system in place for next school year 2018-2019. 4.6 Provide Laptops for Faculty YEAR 2: Several budget cost centers worked together and, thus, we were able to accomplish the goal of providing Chromebooks for both PSMS and PCIS Faculty. We will be piloting with these 145 teachers to determine whether the Chromebook is a viable option for teacher use. In December/January, the Technology Integration Specialists held two trainings at each middle school for teachers to attend and pick up their Chromebook. YEAR 3: We accomplished our goal of providing Chromebooks for elementary faculty and laptops for SPED faculty. Chromebooks were prepared at the Tech Center. The Network Engineer and Technology Coordinator worked out the timetable for distribution to all the schools. The Education Technology Coordinator met with the teachers at each elementary school to distribute and provide training on the Chromebooks. The Technology Integration Specialists were available for support on the devices. All teaching staff now have a device available to them. 4.7 Ensure Access to Devices and Resources for Research, Communication, Multimedia Creation and Collaboration With Plymouth Public Schools participating in PARCC online testing at the Elementary and Middle Schools, we purchased Chromebooks to be used as our main testing device. The district currently has 1,990 student Chromebooks. Carts are making their way into classrooms; students are becoming more adept using Google Apps for Education and teachers are using projects with online tools. Other devices such as iPads continue to be used at the schools. A Technology Department initiative this year was to ensure that all classroom teachers at the middle school level have a classroom digital projector. We accomplished this goal with the addition of a number of projectors at both PSMS and PCIS.

Another initiative this year was to provide additional document cameras to middle school teachers. We developed a current inventory and a plan to disburse document cameras to social studies, science, ELA, and math teachers. PCIS received 26 document cameras and PSMS received 19.


YEAR 3: Each Kindergarten teacher across the district was provided a document camera for use in their classroom. Teachers are now able to implement curriculum in their textbooks integrating the use of document cameras.

We continue to add Chromebooks for student use. The district currently has 3,312 Chromebooks licensed in our student domain.

4.8. Annual Software Review This review is addressed each year to ensure we are providing optimum delivery of content. We recently provided access to Microsoft Office 365 for staff home use and students in Grades 7 through 12 as part of our Microsoft Licensing Agreement.

4.9 Centralized Printing We are continuing to migrate to a centralized printing model with progress at the following schools: FFES, IBES, and SES. At the start of FY17, we will begin migrating PSMS to centralized printing. PNHS is currently using centralized printing.

The age of many of our existing photocopiers, as well as the cost to replace them, has prevented us from deploying centralized printing any further at this time.

YEAR 2: PSMS has been migrated to centralized printing and is currently being implemented.

Next school year (2017-2018) we will be looking at the feasibility of PCIS being migrated to centralized printing.

YEAR 3: We are continuing to evaluate and migrate towards centralized printing.

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