Tech plan

Nederland Independent School District

Nederland, TexasHome of the Bulldogs

We will discuss:•District Information including current

technology information•Technology Committee Goals,

Objectives and Strategies•What do National Standards Say•Recommendations for Improvements

District InformationNederland ISD has about 5,000 students, is located in Southeast Texas and is in Region 5. More than 37% of the students in NISD are economically disadvantaged.

4 Elementary Campuses (Pre K- 4th)Helena Park ElementaryHighland Park ElementaryHillcrest ElementaryLangham Elementary

2 Middle Schools (5th-8th)Central Middle SchoolCO Wilson Middle School

1 High School (9th-12th)Nederland High School

1 Alternative Campus (secondary ages)

Technology Information• $1.6 million allocated for technology ($333.25

per pupil)• 4:1 ratio students to computers• 1:1 ratio teachers to computers• ALL campuses have internet access• Each elementary campus has 2 computer labs• Each middle school has 3 computer labs• High school has 10 computer labs and 1

mobile computer lab

Technology Planning Committee: 2010-2013 Approved Plan

Instructional Needs:• Students must be prepared to excel in an information-

driven society.• Teachers must be prepared for significantly different roles,

different students, and different tools and resources.• Schools must have administrator commitment and skilled

leadership to lead and nurture the changes technology brings.

• The infrastructure of the district must support the use of the technology tools that are necessary for educating students.

Technology Planning Committee: 2010-2013 Approved Plan

Technical/Hardware Needs:• incorporation of wireless and hand held technologies• two-way interactive video capabilities• cellular leased services• voice mail and extension licenses for our current Voice over Network

system• increased bandwidth between all sites for network and Internet services.• a video surveillance system for security and student safety purposes.• a means for reporting attendance, grades, announcements and other

important communications to parents• continued local and long distance phone service• Nederland ISD will also be investigating other emerging technologies

paying particular attention to interoperability of components.

Technology Goals for NISD• Provide students and teachers with a technology rich environment

that will increase student achievement, improve instructional accountability, and provide the necessary resources and support to empower them for a global and digital world of information.

• Provide quality professional development, to effectively integrate technology into the curricula to facilitate and manage 21st century learning in technology and information rich settings.

• Provide access for faculty and staff to adequate technology tools, support, and staffing, and improve quality of communication to facilitate data-driven decision making processes in the areas of student records, community partnerships and education, parent awareness, and other support services.

• Provide adequate technology infrastructure to meet the instructional needs of students, teachers and administrators to foster improvement in academic achievement, curriculum integration, and increased accessibility and innovation.

Goal 1: Provide students and teachers with a technology rich environment

Objective 1: Create learning environments where teachers foster student learning through interactivity, analyzing, evaluating and communicating information expediently and efficiently with technology.

Strategies to Implement/ Continue Implementation • Integrate the Technology Application TEKS into all curriculum areas in the

K-12 program by including software and electronically delivered materials in instruction.

• Focus curriculum on higher level thinking skills and information accessing procedures.

• Librarians work with teachers to train students to effectively search OPAC resources, web and online card catalog system

• Provide all students and teachers with on-demand access to appropriate technologies and electronic information resources.

Goal 1: Provide students and teachers with a technology rich environment

Objective 2:.Integrate technology resources into the district curriculum to improve academic achievement of all students.

Strategies:• Use evolving technologies such as technical devices, software and electronically

delivered materials in instruction to foster greater levels of interest, inquiry, analysis, collaboration, creativity, and content production in the classroom.

• Teachers will incorporate technology into the teaching and learning process through utilization of online lesson resources curriculum.

• Integrate instructional tools such as interactive white boards and document cameras into daily lessons to promote cooperative learning environments

• Enhance communication technologies for special populations at all levels• Enhance student learning by continuing to update and add to district digital video

libraries and teacher web pages accessible in the classroom or at home.

Goal 1: Provide students and teachers with a technology rich environment

Objective 3: Utilize research-based decision making focused on graduating students with the technology skills to work collaboratively and communicate effectively in a technology driven society

Strategies: • Develop curriculum for TEKS specified credit courses, industry specified

certification/licensure programs, and other technology based courses as appropriate

• Offer all Technology Application courses; teach a minimum of four courses annually

• Offer opportunities for students to work collaboratively to propose, assess, and implement solutions to real world problems.

• Provide skills and means for students to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences through online and distance learning venues.

• Provide rigorous online instruction offering initial credit and credit recovery to at risk students

• Offer a dual credit program where students can receive both high school and college credits by using instructional technology solutions.

GOAL 2: Provide quality professional development

Objective 1:Provide quality, on-going professional development to educators to enable them to effectively integrate technology into the curricula so students are better prepared to meet academic performance standards.

Strategies:• Support and encourage attendance at technology conferences, workshops

and in-district training by offering incentives for participation when applicable.

• Provide staff development opportunities to meet district defined and SBEC proficiency standards to assist educators in seamlessly integrating technology into the curricula.

• Develop and deliver a variety of staff development to teachers including online “just-in-time” training, hands-on collaborative staff development, campus based and district based opportunities.

• Provide staff development to principals and instructional administrators to increase the level of technology capabilities enabling a leadership role in the integration of technology into instruction.

(Cont. on next slide)

(Continued from previous slide)GOAL 2: Provide quality professional development

Objective 1:Provide quality, on-going professional development to educators to enable them to effectively integrate technology into the curricula so students are better prepared to meet academic performance standards.

Strategies:• The district will provide opportunities and time for teachers and staff to

network with peers and colleagues to learn new ideas, encouraging participation in the Master Teacher Technology Teacher program.

• Design and conduct training for new teachers to the district that includes electronic grades and attendance, email, AUP and information regarding all available online technology resources.

• Provide opportunities to train teachers on individual campuses on specific needs as related to classroom tools and software using instructional technology specialist and mentors

• Create and maintain a knowledge base of online training guides for new technology resources.

GOAL 2: Provide quality professional development

Objective 2: Provide training for all technology resources required by curriculum initiatives and new and existing technology resources.

Strategies:• Maintain and promote a web site with links to professional resources

including “just in time” instruction• Use online communication, email, two-way interactive video and other

technologies to offer opportunities for collaboration with other professionals.

• Provide online curriculum document management and distribution, with the ability to obtain online teacher feedback in a controlled environment

• Identify and purchase technology resources to support the district curriculum.

GOAL 3: Provide access for faculty and staff to adequate technology tools

Objective 1: Provide faculty and staff training to enable the procurement, implementation and appropriate uses of all technology resources to improve the quality of communication to facilitate data-driven decision making process in the areas of student records.

Strategies:• Collaboratively develop and align each campus and district plans and measure their

effectiveness using the Texas STaR Chart ensuring all plans promote student achievement in accordance with NCLB.

• Model Technology Standards for School Administrators and SBEC Technology Application standards into local educator appraisal systems.

• The District will maintain, communicate and enforce the acceptable use policy including issues relating to copyright laws, privacy, intellectual property, social networking and cyber bullying.

• Develop and provide access to electronic resources at school for students and teachers with improved remote access for students and parents

• Support the use of student performance data from district and state assessments to develop technology integrated instruction for students

• Ensure a viable technology plan is written and approved for use in securing funding such as the federal E-Rate program, and promotes achievement in accordance with NCLB and State requirement.

GOAL 3: Provide access for faculty and staff to adequate technology tools

Objective 2: Provide continued improvements to electronic resources and web sites to promote better communication between stakeholders, parents and community members.

Strategies:• Use the web portal, email, voice message system and automated call out system to

foster communication between teachers, students and parents.• Establish a database supporting technology (for speakers, internships, tutors, and

other volunteers) with representative from Pre K-12, higher education, local business and community members

• Continue to develop internal and external web sites to allow more efficient access to district wide information and resources including school and classroom connections for parents, employment opportunities, procurement processes for potential vendors and items of general interest for the community.

• Support teachers in developing classroom websites and online resources to share lessons, monitor student progress, and establish regular communications with parents and students.

GOAL 3: Provide access for faculty and staff to adequate technology tools

Objective 3: Provide adult learning opportunities and parent awareness classes to community and patrons.

Strategies:• Provide opportunities via online learning and distance learning for

adult learners.• Provide a GED program for all district patrons• Provide access to district information for students, parents and

community• Establish policies to encourage expanded use of school facilities,

including the library facility.• Offer training sessions on the District Acceptable Use Policy and

Internet safety which includes Cyber Bullying and Social Networking for parents, guardians and community members.

GOAL 4: Provide adequate technology infrastructure to meet the instructional needs of students, teachers and administrators

Objective 1: Upgrade network infrastructure to support instructional and administrative applications which complies with regulations and current state of the art industry standards through world class emerging technologies that enable voice, video and data

Strategies:• Maintain an obsolescence policy to ensure that students and staff have access to

adequate equipment and infrastructure• Provide the resources for satellite based learning, two-way interactive video-

distance learning, video streaming, and desktop conferencing (where justified).• Implement a wireless infrastructure within each campus to comply with current

state of the art industry standards through world class emerging technologies for anytime, anywhere access.

• Maintain and support a robust local and wide area network for voice, video and data, increasing speed and bandwidth to meet increased needs

• Provide and maintain an Internet filter in order to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) federal rules and regulations

GOAL 4: Provide adequate technology infrastructure to meet the instructional needs of students, teachers and administrators

Objective 2: Provide adequate technology equipment and software to meet the instructional needs of students, teachers and administrators in the classroom and on the campus to foster improvement in academic achievement and curriculum Integration

Strategies: • Provide sufficient equipment to meet state and district standards based on staff and

student populations• Plan and budget for replacement of obsolete and irreparable equipment utilizing a 4-

year replacement schedule• Develop innovative funding to coordinate hardware and software purchases with

curricular and/or administrative needs and certify that the purchases meet established standards

• Implement software standards and restrict loading and installation of additional software to the district staff so that standardization can be maintained, copyright infringement does not occur and software conflicts are minimized

• Provide adaptive hardware and software including, but not limited to trackballs, touch screens, adaptive keyboards, augmentative communications, etc.

• Maintain records reflecting hardware and software inventory.

GOAL 4: Provide adequate technology infrastructure to meet the instructional needs of students, teachers and administrators

Objective 3: Provide adequate and timely technical support for all adopted technologies provided to meet the instructional needs of students

Strategies: • Provide campus-based support for hardware troubleshooting, software

installation, and computer configuration.• Establish a district program for preventive maintenance and hardware

replacement and disaster recovery• Maintain an online Help Desk system for logging and reporting district

needs• Provide an online knowledge base for organizing and sharing information

among district professionals to enable them to be self supporting when possible.

National Educational Technology Standards (NETS)/International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)

Several conditions must be met to effectively incorporate technology into learning• Shared Vision • Empowered Leaders • Implementation Planning • Consistent and Adequate Funding • Equitable Access • Skilled Personnel • Ongoing Professional Learning • Technical Support • Curriculum Framework • Student-Centered Learning • Assessment and Evaluation • Engaged Communities • Support Policies • Supportive External Context Essential Conditions: Necessary Conditions to Effectively Leverage Technology for Learning.

Archived at: http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/netsessentialconditions.pdf?sfvrsn=2

https://www.iste.org/

Areas of Achievement

• Consistent and Adequate Funding• Empowered Leaders • Ongoing Professional Learning • Technical Support • Support Policies• Shared Vision • Supportive External Context

Areas of Improvement

• Implementation Planning • Equitable Access • Skilled Personnel • Curriculum Framework • Student-Centered Learning • Assessment and Evaluation • Engaged Communities

Recommendations

• Investigate and possibly implement BOYD• Technology Committee meet more often to explore

emerging technology; make sure all stakeholders are involved

• Have several in house experts at each school• Ensure curriculum and implementation align with ISTE

standards• Explore other avenues of communication with students

and parents (texting system, etc)• Provide professional development to teachers ensuring

student- centered learning

Helpful Resources

NETS/ISTE https://www.iste.org/ : national and international technology standards; professional development opportunities for ED tech; resources to implement technology in the classroom

Horizon Report http://www.nmc.org/horizon-project/horizon-reports/horizon-report-k-12-edition: describes emerging technology; groups emerging technology based on what is emerging now and what to look for in five year (or less).

ResourcesEssential Conditions: Necessary Conditions to Effectively Leverage Technology

for Learning. Archived at: http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/netsessentialconditions.pdf?sfvrsn=2

NISD Technology Plan 2010-2013. Archived at: http://www.nederland.k12.tx.us/files/user/1/file/get_group_file.pdf