Technology Counts 2010-2015

Making Connections

Around the World

Prepared By: Ellen Driscoll, Coordinator of Educational Technology & Instructional Media

National Education Technology Plan Goals

Learning: Engage and Empower

All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and out of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society.

Assessment: Measure What Matters

Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement.

National Education Technology Plan Goals

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.

Infrastructure: Access and Enable

All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it.

Productivity: Redesign and Transform

Our education system at all levels will redesign processes and structures to take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making more efficient use of time, money, and staff.

DESE Educational Technology Advisory Council Vision Statement

By the year 2014, all schools in the Commonwealth have technology-infused environments for teaching and learning for all students across all disciplines and programs. Students, staff and faculty use state of the art technology to discover, create, evaluate, and communicate and are able to do that because they have universal access anytime anywhere through wireless portable equipment. Schools are linked technologically to other educational institutions, to communities and to the world. The infrastructure, which is invisible…

Benchmark 1Commitment to a Clear Vision and Implementation Strategies

A. The district’s technology plan contains a clearly stated and reasonable set of goals and implementation strategies that align with the district-wide school improvement plan.

B. The district has a technology team with representatives from a variety of stakeholder groups.

C. The district assesses the technology products. Technology plan includes an assessment of the services and products currently being used along with future purchases.

Benchmark 1Commitment to a Clear Vision and Implementation Strategies

D. District recognizes that technology plays a critical role in achieving its goals. District has a budget that will ensure implementation of its long-range technology plan.

E. The district routinely consults with technology staff before purchasing technology items, to ensure that the items are appropriate, cost-effective, and sustainable.

Benchmark 2Technology Integration and Literacy

A. Technology Integration

Outside Teaching Time: 90% of teachers using technology every day and sharing with their colleagues.

Teaching and Learning: 90% of teachers use technology with students every day to improve student learning.

Benchmark 2Technology Integration and Literacy

B. Technology Literacy

At least 90% of 8th grade students show proficiency in Massachusetts Technology Literacy Standards and Expectations for Grade eight.

100% of the teachers working to meet the proficiency level in technology. By 2014-2015, 90% of teachers will have mastered 90% of the skills in the Massachusetts Technology Self-Assessment Tool (TSAT).

Benchmark 2Technology Integration and Literacy

C. Staffing

District has a district-level technology director/coordinator.

District provides one FTE instructional technology teacher per 60-120 instructional staff.

District has staff dedicated to data management and assessment.

Benchmark 3Technology Professional Development

A. At the end of five years, at least 90% of district staff will have participated in high quality, ongoing professional development that includes emerging technology issues, technology skills, universal design, and research-based models of technology integration. 

B. Technology professional development is sustained and ongoing and includes coaching, modeling best practices, district-based mentoring, study groups, and online professional development.

Benchmark 4Accessibility of Technology

A. Hardware Access

By 2014-2015, the district has an average ratio of one high-capacity, Internet-connected computer for each student.

The district provides students with emerging technologies appropriate to their grade level.

District maximizes access to general education curriculum for all students.

District has procurement policies for information and instructional technologies that ensure usability, equivalent access, interoperability, and SIF compliance.

District provides classroom access to devices.

District has established a computer replacement cycle of five years or less.

Benchmark 4Accessibility of Technology

B. Internet Access

Connectivity to the Internet for all computers in all classrooms.

External Internet connection to the Internet Service Provider of 100Mbps per 1,000 students/staff.  

District provides bandwidth of at least 10/100/1 Gb.

Benchmark 4Accessibility of Technology

C. Networking (LAN/WAN)

District provides internal wide area network (WAN) connections from the district to each school between schools of at least 1 Gbps per 1,000 students/staff.

D. Access to the Internet Outside the School Day

District provides access to its computer labs before and after school to ensure that students and staff have adequate access to the Internet outside of the school day.

Benchmark 4Accessibility of Technology

E. Staffing

District provides staff or contracted services to ensure that its network is functioning at all times.

Resolves technical problems within 24 hours. Provides clear information about how to access technical support.

Provides at least one FTE person to support 400 computers.

Benchmark 5Virtual Learning and Communications

A. District encourages development and use of innovative strategies for delivering high-quality courses through the use of technology.

B. District deploys IP-based connections for access to web-based and/or interactive video learning.

C. Classroom applications of virtual-learning include courses, collaborative projects, field trips, and discussions.

D. District maintains an up-to-date website including information for parents and community members.

Benchmark 6Safety, Security, and Data Retention

A. The district has a CIPA-compliant Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). Policy is updated as needed.

B. District educates teachers and students about appropriate online behavior. Topics include cyber bullying, potential risks related to social networking sites and chat rooms, and strategies for dealing with these issues.

Benchmark 6Safety, Security, and Data Retention

C. District has a plan to protect the security and confidentiality of personal information of its students and staff.

D. District complies with Federal and State Law and Local Policies for archiving electronic communications produced by its staff and students. Staff and students are informed that any information distributed over the district or school network may be a public record.

Integrate Innovate Motivate 2011-2015

Volunteer for a committee to research the components necessary to implement a successful one-to-one technology program.

Please contact Ellen Driscoll at edriscoll@plymouth.k12.ma.us or (508)830-4486

Work Cited

Educational Technology Planning– Local Technology Plan Guidelines

http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/techplan/10-15guidelines.pdf– Massachusetts Star Chart http://www.doe.mass.edu/boe/sac/edtech/?

section=star– Technology Leadership Position Paper

http://www.doe.mass.edu/boe/sac/edtech/– Responsible Use Policy

http://www.doe.mass.edu/boe/sac/edtech/