A technology plan is a statement of the school's technology goals. This plan can cover one academic year, but more often covers the course of three to five years. A well-written K to 8 technology plan can serve as a guiding document, serving as a reference for faculty and administration as they work towards achieving their technology improvement goals. The implementation of a technology plan is not something that happens overnight, but instead a gradual process that allows for adjustment to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Instructions
1. Purchase required equipment and software. If your plans relies upon equipment and software that you do not currently have, purchase the materials, or make a plan for the future purchase based on budget projections.
2. Hire necessary faculty. Interview and employ the teaching staff necessary to monitor the added student courses, or locate qualified individuals who can train your current teaching staff, bringing them up-to-date on the technology that is outlined in your plan.
3. Create a timeline for implementation. If your technology plan does not already contain a clear and organized time line for implementation, creation one. Be realistic in your timeline and plan for gradual incorporation of new technologies into the curriculum.
4. Gradually introduce courses into the curriculum. Add several required student courses yearly, instead of attempting to integrate them all into the standard curriculum at once. Start with the lower level classes intended for kindergarten through third grade students, allowing the younger students to build their technological competency, instead of adding requisite courses for the older students, who lack the base knowledge to be successful because they have not received the lower level courses included in the plan.
5. Create and provide assessments to measure student progress towards stated goals. Create a standard system for ensuring student understanding. Apply these assessment tools consistently to ensure that you receive reliable assessment results upon which you can base future plans.
6. Ask for teacher and student reflection as you implement. Ask students and teachers to reflect upon the additions, and make changes to the plan or add in necessary supports based on their suggestions.
7. Revisit the plan and revise as necessary during the implementation period. Do not be afraid to modify the original plan. If something is not working as expected, make changes to increase the effectiveness of the technology program. This leads to increased technological competency of students and a higher degree of technological integration within the school as a whole.
Tags: equipment software, into curriculum, lower level, make changes, plan Create