12 Priorities for Planning Large Initiatives
When planning initiatives, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction That Works lists 12 priorities to consider before implementing:
1. Making sure you use resources to help you plan- This pretty much boils down to having a plan and doing research, which I agree is important foresight. It's difficult to rate this for the school I recently observed because I feel this is usually behind the scenes at the administration level. But seeing the campus layout and all the symbolism about "climbing higher," I'd say the school hit a 3/4 for using resources and planning.
2. Decide whether your school will purchase all of the computers or allow a mixture of school-and student-owned computers- A huge decision that can affect other decisions for the other listed priorities. Purchasing all computers allows for uniformity and makes technical support more easy. However, it wouldn't be feasible if students already have their own functioning laptops. School-wide purchasing of computers also brings up a liability problem. Can students take these laptops home? What if they break them? Drop them? The laptop is stolen from a locker? or on the bus? Can the school really purchase another after each incident? And if students can bring their own laptops, should the school's technical services also cater to the individual laptops? even though the school did not buy them?
At the school I recently observed, students were not extensively using laptops. Those who were seemed to be using their own, as the models were all different. However, I learned that the school does purchase a laptop and cell phone for the teachers for the lesson plans, presentations, and phone calls. During observation, I noticed all the teachers had different laptops and phones, so it seems the school may have allowed the teachers to make their own selection. Therefore, I'd say the school gets a 4/4.
3. Decide upon a nucleus of cloud computing services and software tools that will be consistent across the school- Doing so gives teachers more time to actually teach, than worry about these technicalities. With the decision, students can also easily integrate notes, quizzes, group work, documents for all classes. I wasn't able to see too much of this aspect of their technology, so I'd can't quite rate this school.
4. Integrate your school's curriculum with instructional technology by ID research-based software- Finding applications and sticking with them is definitely important in order to make sure it is compatible with the operating system of the school. I wouldn't say this is ultimately important, because I feel teachers and students can still use technology without it being tied to the operating system or curriculum- there are many games and flashcards online that can easily bolster a lesson, without needing to integrate the program into the system. Once again, I wasn't able to see this aspect of the school, so no rating as of yet!
5. Conduct regular, specific, and mandatory professional development focused on integrating instructional technology- If a school plans on integrating technology, and buying the technology, then the school needs to make sure the educators know how to use the technology for full benefits. At the school I observed, they did have professional development on the Promethean Board. However, it was not mandatory because the administration understood that some teachers already knew how to use it. Therefore, I'd say make it regular and specific, but not mandatory. 4/4
6. Monitor and evaluate progress- Only by monitoring and evaluating progress can we help correct and improve. From what I heard, most teachers were sent an email the day of, that students, like myself, were coming to observe the school. The teachers seemed unfazed, and quite used to it- so it seems the teachers at this school get regular observations. 4/4
7. How much access students will have to the computer network- Technology raises many new questions. Which websites are distracting? Which have educational value? How do I block this aspect of the site, but not another? I agree that internet filters are essential, especially in a high school environment, in order to keep the classroom and students focused. However, teachers should have the ability to override a filter if need be. For example, youtube is usually blocked on school campuses. However, youtube is also filled with educational content and videos that can help support a lesson or be a "hook." If teachers can override that filter on their own computers for that video, it could possibly enrich the lesson. Once again, I can't say for the campus I observed!
8. Create a long-term strategy for the obsolescence of software and hardware- If a school plans on buying technology, making sure it will last is critical! Technology and programs are constantly being updated and changed. We can see this in the multitude of iPhone updates and updates of Windows and Microsoft every other year or so. Therefore, to make sure the initiative will be successful, the school needs to be able to replace or update computers and software. I'm not sure what the long-term strategy of this school is, but it seems many of the teachers are technologically-savvy.
9. Develop a plan to provide, repair, and replace additional equipment- Other than laptops, there are modems, routers, projectors, smartboards, batteries, speakers, microphones, printers, scanners. Technology is being able to successfully integrate these together for a full picture. Therefore, tech services should include these services, as well. Most classrooms I saw all had projectors and Promethean boards that were working and in mint condition- 4/4!
10. a good insurance plan- Like I mentioned before, anything can happen to a good piece of equipment. Unfortunately, I did not think to pose this question regarding the provided teacher laptops and cell phones at the high school.
11. Plan for a robust wi-fi network- If a school plans to buy laptops and computers, it does need to consider a solid wireless internet network so that all students, staff, and faculty can access the internet for its resources and to do group work together via applications like google documents. It didn't seem like the school had large wi-fi problems, so 4/4.
12. have onsite technical support- This is probably the most essential part of making the initiative successful. These people are needed to fix computers, printers, projectors, remove bugs, viruses, make adjustments, update software and applications. In other words, this group makes the whole system run. I did not hear much about it at the school I observed, so 2/4.
