The Essential Elements of Technology Planning

In Talking Point One, we are asked the question: How is the staff and students rethinking the use of current technology to improve instruction, and enhance individualized learning? To construct this talking point more concisely especially when looking at the development of student centered school three essential supporting questions must be asked.

• How is student learning different because of technology?
• How is your teaching different because of technology?
• What evidence supports the effectiveness of the technology in improving student engagement in learning?

The three essential questions may in fact be the driving force behind schooling in the near future as they hover around a central idea of Classrooms without Walls. Creating Classroom without Walls is about helping students and teachers gain the skills that will support the art of curating, listening, learning, creating and sharing through connected learning ideas. It is about the development of personal learning environments that will support lifelong learning for both teachers and students.

To accomplish this task of bringing forth connected learning ideas the instructional leaders must take into account three factors that they must overcome. These three factors of technology integration are the primary factors that affect most schools as they try to level the playing fields of connected learning opportunities. 

• Technology must become a part of student learning.
• Technology must be embedded into instructional practices.
• Technology tools must be integrated into the curriculum.

Technology planning can be the catalyst used to enhance a school’s vision for the future, to strengthen its learning goals and to help realize its mission. The technology planning process itself must weigh the relationship between technology investments and student growth to be deemed successful. Technology planning requires that schools be willing to make substantial investments in time, resources, and support. The information provided in this webinar will focus on the essential elements of technology planning, which will include: (a) how to establish a student centered school (b) how to assess the schools technology needs to establish target area goals to improve learning, (c.) how to create effective professional development resources to increase the use of technology in the classroom, and (d.) how to support existing technological resources through funding and maintenance. The Essential Elements of Technology Planning will be your guide in preparing a districts technology plan that will revitalize the mission of the school and prepare the school for the world of "Classrooms without Walls."

Viewing technology planning as a process instead of an event requires two paradigm shifts in thinking and development. The first paradigm shift occurs when educators of the district realizes the planning process will result in more than simply purchasing technology. Ten years ago, technology planning focused primarily on acquiring computers and was simply a process of deciding what type of computers to purchase, how many, and where to place them. Today, new technology opportunities require educators to rethink the plausibility of technology in the classroom. The planning process must address how technology will be used by students and staff, not just what equipment it will involve.

The second paradigm shift occurs when the technology planning process integrates the technology into the curriculum. This paradigm shift allows the planning process to have an impact on student learning. For the technology planning efforts to have maximum effect on student learning, the process must be coupled with curriculum development and professional development. Since the goal of technology planning should be improved student learning, this process begets questions that only classroom teachers can answer.

Therefore, a collaborative effort between administrators, curriculum specialist and the focus of professional learning communities can extend a comprehensive, and successful, technology plan.  A plan that is focused on the needs of students and embraces connected learning tools. Learning tools that place an emphasis on building connected learning environments. Without this investment of time and effort, planning for connected learning will have little or no impact on student centered school improvement.