From the Ground, Up: How to Create a Successful Tech Plan

  When IT professionals begin to create a successful educational tech plan, they must take into consideration many different philosophies, steps, and procedures when beginning to create it. According to The Technology Coordinator’s Handbook, there are approximately five key points to think about when it comes to an educational technology plan. 



1.Vision Creation and Stakeholder Input

    In order to captain a ship, you need a map. Creating an effective technology plan is no different. You need a vision of where you want to go with your technology. To help ascertain the direction, ask for input from pertinent stakeholders. What technology do teachers, administrators, and other staff need to be successful? What types of technology are available? These are all driving questions that help to establish a quality technology plan. 

2. Gather Data and Review Research

    When creating an effective technology plan, the creator must consider what has and has not worked. If implementing a new plan within a school district, the technology coordinator must research what technology is currently available in the district and gather data based upon its implementation and success thus far. They must also review how the district plans to utilize this technology and it's role within the greater technology plan.


3. Integrate Technology into the Curriculum and Commit to Professional Development

When creating a technology plan, the creator must consider the end user and how they plan to use it in classroom instruction. Many times, district purchased curriculum comes with an online component, but a technology coordinator must become familiar with the program's classroom implementations, troubleshooting program issues, and determine if it will integrate to the current learning management system. When implementing technology into the curriculum, if possible, it is best to have a group of teachers that are willing to pilot the new program before a roll out. This helps to troubleshoot possible user errors, as well as get an idea for how it functions within instruction. In addition, consider ongoing professional development when implementing a new program or piece of equipment. 

4. Ensure a Sound Infrastructure and Appropriate Funding

    In order for any technology plan to be successful, the coordinator needs to know what the district wants, but they also need to be aware of any funding that the district may already possess or that they may be eligible for. To this end, they must also make sure that what is currently in use is best serving the district's needs or make the needed repairs. For example, if the school or district is in a rural area with little internet connection, it would be prudent to ensure that the connection, if broken, be fixed as soon as possible, in order to maintain consistency and internet access availability. 

5. Plan for Ongoing Assessment/Monitoring and Prepare for Tomorrow

    For any technology plan to be in peak performance, it must constantly be monitored and assessed for speed and accuracy. In addition, a district technology coordinator must also prepare for ongoing student assessment and monitoring as well. It is best to have a contingency plan for different types of testing and consistently monitor the functioning aspects of the particular program or connection. Technology coordinators must also be innovators and on the forefront of the newest educational technology. They must not only stay abreast of what is current, but also how this technology would best benefit the stakeholders that they serve. 

Comments

  1. Melanie WilsonMarch 16, 2023 at 10:52 PM

    Hi Jennifer!

    I enjoyed reading your post and found it to be very informative. I like the idea of having a group of teachers to pilot the new technology before it rolling out. Like you said, they will be able to point out user errors and guide other teachers through their usage and implementation. Frazier and Hearrington (2017) described technology plans as "a three-to five- year road map of where the school or district wants to go with technology" (p.167). What you described in your post is a process that will take time to implement while also giving various stakeholders a say in the process. Frazier and Hearrington (2017) also stated (when discussing developing a technology plan) that "It also represents the results of many conversations among board members, administrators, teaching staff, and community members regarding how technology can support the learning process" (p.167).

    References:

    Frazier, M., & Hearrington, D. (2017). The Technology Coordinator's handbook. International Society for Technology in Education.

    ReplyDelete

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