Much like a blueprint, a technology plan is the key to an efficient school network.
In today's budget-conscious system, it is often necessary to plan years in advance to make large purchases. In the cash-strapped educational arena, this is certainly the case. Conceptualizing and implementing a strong technology plan is critical as a hedge against falling behind in this important facet of instruction. "Failure to plan is planning to fail" should be the mantra of all involved in this process.
Taking Inventory
Most schools perform an annual or biannual technology inventory. In Missouri this process, called the Census of Technology, is usually performed twice per year to list every computer, phone, multimedia device and Internet connection, and to compare it with the number of students and classrooms.
This provides excellent information for such concerns as computerized standardized testing. Maintaining a favorable student-to-computer ratio is an important component of technology planning. This becomes essential given the standardized testing element of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is moving states toward a computerized test for all students from third grade through high school for cost savings.
Quality vs. Quantity
Balancing quality with quantity is a concern in tech planning. A district needs adequate numbers of computers to provide access to students as needed. It also needs access to higher level, emerging technologies to offer the most relevance to the students. The conundrum is simple: it often costs much more for quality than it does quantity.
The cost, per computer, for a used but stable Windows XP system is a fraction of that of a Windows 7 system. This used system will suffice for simple research, but will fail in multimedia production or other hardware-sensitive applications. There must be a balance of the age of computers to ensure a large percentage of the systems do not become obsolete at once.
Plan a rotation in which computers are replaced every three to five years with newer ones. Experts often cite this time frame as the expected life span of a PC. Regardless as to this accuracy, a PC becomes functionally obsolete during this range as new software dictates.
Teacher Input
Maintaining communication with teachers in the planning process is important. Include teachers on tech committees as their input comes from the "front lines." Administering periodic surveys is a good way to foster input.
Be certain to not purchase technology beyond the skill level of the user without providing adequate resources for training. Emerging technologies often are wasted when a teacher who does not know use them fails to provide this feedback.
Maintaining the Plan
Maintain flexibility in your plan as technology changes quickly. It is important to have complete teacher and administration "buy in" to maintain your plan. Communicate regularly with both users and administrators to structure a balanced approach to the quality versus quantity issue. By introducing new technologies into areas most likely to use them efficiently, then rotating them out as they age to other classrooms or labs as new technology is introduced, you make the best use of limited resources.
Tags: standardized testing, technology plan, this process, Windows system, your plan
