Copyright 1993 Juan Miguel Guhlin "Campus Technology Plan"
 
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Campus Technology Plan
Purpose
The purpose of this campus technology plan is the integration of technology into the curriculum. That is, the use of technology as a teaching tool. This means that computers and other technology are used to simulate situations that engage students in cooperative learning group activities focused on developing problem-solving and decision-making strategies.
Successful integration of technology--especially computers--means that technology must be easily accessible in every classroom. However, technology requires training. For example, one-computer in a classroom necessitates extensive staff development in one-computer classroom methodology. Thus, the purpose of this plan also includes staff development, as well as a variety of other objectives that will be outlined in the following pages. Central to the mission of this Technology Plan is the Educational Philosophy.
Educational Philosophy
As teachers at ***** Elementary, we believe that teachers and students can
learn to operate technology given sufficient time and training. As teachers, we must have the time and training to integrate technology into classroom activities and students must have the liberty to experiment with technology within the context of achieving their educational objectives. Technology can maximize the impact of the classroom teacher on the student; technology can also provide students with the tools with which to construct tomorrow.
As teachers, we believe that the goal of teaching is teaching for thinking. The
classroom setting provides students with the place to simulate real life
situations. Since real life situations present students with problems, creative
problem solving and decision-making strategies may be developed. The use of technology--such as computers--in the classroom allows for the simulation of such real life situations. Students learn to work in cooperative groups, as well as employ technology to problem-solve.
Technology Goals
Goal #1: Provide for the on-going education of the school community
(i.e. teachers, students, parents, administrators) and the
equitable distribution of technology as determined by the
Goal #2: Employ technology to organize, develop, and integrate the presentation of ideas and existing information in a variety of forms (written, pictorial, symbolic, aural) using information management tools (i.e. word processors, spreadsheets, databases, and hypermedia) as they would be used in real world settings.
Goal #3: Employ technology as a tool for creative problem-solving and
decision-making within large/small group and individual
settings.
Goal #4: Translate inquiry expressed in ordinary language into forms
required by information retrieval systems (i.e. electronic
and on-line encyclopedias, askEric, Internet archie/gopher) in
order to obtain accurate and relevant information.
Goal #5: Use the Internet as a tool for sharing ideas, obtaining
relevant current information for research, and broadening
the scope of shared decision-making to include those from
different cultures.
Goal #1: Provide for the on-going education of the school community
(i.e. teachers, students, parents, administrators) and the
equitable distribution of technology.
I. Teachers will earn additional computers for their classrooms by attendance to instructional technology staff development sessions.
A. Teachers must have thirty hours of training on computer software.
On completing thirty hours of training, teachers will receive a computer when funds to purchase a computer are available. The computer will be placed in their classroom in lieu of hourly payment for attending training.
B. Teachers interested in integrating technology into their teaching may have a half day of planning per six weeks. Such planning must be overseen by the Technology Coordinator(s) and must be approved by the principal. The Campus Technology Committee will work out the details for planning in each situation. Substitutes for teachers will be paid from the Technology Allotment or from campus staff development funds if they are available.
C. Teachers will be required to attend at least six hours of staff development in the area of technology each year in order to keep classroom computers. These hours may be taken on/off campus at any time so long as a copy of a certificate of completion is filed with the technology coordinator responsible for staff development.
D. Teachers receiving specialized training provided by the District or Region 8 must give two workshops after-school (3:00 - 3:45) on the training received or on Saturday. This broadens the technological resources the school may draw upon. If their training was paid for with school funds or technology allotment, they will not receive payment for presentation. Otherwise, they will be paid at the standard district consultant rate.
E. Teachers who have taken thirty hours of instructional technology may take a computer and printer home for the summer.
II. Parents will be offered training and allowed access to technology via the annual Parents’ Technology Institute classes which run from September through May of each year. Babysitting for children will be paid for out of available campus funds.
III. Office Staff will receive training on campus purchased software as needed. Since software and subsequent training are not for instructional use, the technology allotment will not be available in this area.
IV. Select teacher(s) as needed to serve as technology coordinators to ensure the achievement of technology integration into the curriculum and assume the responsibilities as follows:
1. Instructional Responsibilities of the Technology Coordinator(s):
--Plan with classroom teachers activities/projects that involve the use of technology applications in the classroom.
--Coordinate on-campus staff development and log all hours off campus.
--Keep abreast of instructional technology software and make recommendations so long as they coincide with Technology Plan goals.
--Establish a computer club for all grade levels.
--Teach an instructional technology parent class that
meets Technology Goals 2, 4, and 5.
--Publish an up-to-date technology newsletter.
2. Technical Responsibilities of the Technology Coordinator(s):
--Ensure maintenance and care of ALL computers--Apple //e, MacIntosh, MS-DOS--on campus.
--Maintain an up-to-date inventory of software and hardware on campus.
--Ensure the operation of networks in the school.
V. Establish and maintain a technology committee composed of a represenative from each grade level that has met requisite hours, the principal, and a M.A.L.L teacher.
Other members may participate in dialogue but the vote goes to the elected represenative for a particular grade level or group.
If more than one technology coordinator exists, their votes count as well.
The technology committee may decide on any issue related to the allocation of technology resources, technology staff development, parent involvement as it involves technology.
Goal #2: Employ technology to organize, develop, and integrate the presentation of ideas and existing information in a variety of forms (written, pictorial, symbolic, aural) using information management tools (i.e. word processors, spreadsheets, databases, and hypermedia) as they would be used in real world settings.
Tools Available:
Word Processors:
Grades PreK-3: *Bilingual Writing Center
*Storybook Weaver (English/Spanish)
*Kid Pix with Companion
*Kid Works 2
Spreadsheet/Graphing:
Grades PreK-3: The Graph Club
Grades 3-6: ClarisWorks
Microsoft Works
Databases:
Grades 2-3: ClarisWorks
Microsoft Works
Hypermedia:
Grades K-6: HyperStudio
Staff Development Issue: Train ALL staff emphasizing the use of tools
