Your principal has drafted you to create a school based technology plan. You are both enthused and scared at this prospect. Where do I start? Do we get iPods for all the students? Perhaps we should purchase netbooks. I hear they are really cheap. Then again… I hear they are kind of flimsy and the keyboard is too small. Wait a minute… How are we paying for this?
With this in mind, I share with you “The 10 Zens of Technology Planning”
1. Establish a committee with stakeholders of varying interests- Make sure to include a Special Education teacher, ELL teacher, Math teacher, Science teacher, an administrator, as well as staff members from other subjects and interests.
2. Conduct a Hardware and Instructional Needs Inventory- The Hardware Inventory should catalog the age, functionality, and condition of the technology equipment. The Instructional Needs Inventory will help the school determine what instructional focus the computer hardware will be used for.
3. Developing a Long Term Plan- Ask your committee the following; “In 5 years what 3 technological milestones do we wish to achieve?”
4. Developing a Short Term Goal- Ask your committee the following; “In 5 months what one goal do we wish to accomplish?”
5. Develop Activities to Achieve the Short Term Goal- Once the committee agrees on a short term goal, it becomes important to create a mini timeline of what activities must be carried out to fulfill the short term goal.
6. Grants- Grants are often a major funding source to help schools acquire and update technology with in a school. With this in mind, schools should aggressively seek grant opportunities. This includes funds available from local politicians, private foundations, donations, and public grants. In many cases, simply writing a letter and making a few phone calls can help a school net a grant or donation. For example, a company purchases new computers and may wish to donate their old computers as it helps them avoid potential recycling costs and can be used as a tax write off. Similarly, a local politician is running for reelection and might have funds to help a local school. Likewise, a philanthropist creates a grant opportunity offering free computers to promote his/her cause. In each of these scenarios the school that proactively seeks these opportunities is far more likely to benefit from one or all of these opportunities.
7. Repair and Repurpose Technology- All too often schools are ready to throw out equipment that appears to be older. This is a shame as older computers can often be nursed back to health by re-imaging the machine. Additionally, older machines can be used as dedicated writing and research centers where as newer machines could handle photo and video editing applications which tend to be more taxing. If a machine is beyond repair, cannibalize it and use it for spare parts. Not only is it environmentally sound, it also teaches students a valuable lesson about computer repair.
8. Be Wary of Purchasing the Newest Technology Toy- New products typically are ridden with hardware problems, have a limited number of applications, and are cost prohibitive. For example, in 2007 the iPhone cost 500 dollars, was buggy, and had very limited features. Three years and several upgrades later the same device costs only 100 dollars and has approximately 200,000 applications that can be used. One may also recall that a number of school systems purchased the 1st generation tablet based laptops, which proved to be costly, underpowered, and buggy.
9. Research Software Solutions- As we all know there is no shortage of vendors trying to sell their wares. The best way to determine the effectiveness of a program is to test the software. Fortunately, acquiring trial versions of the software is fairly easy to do as reputable companies will usually offer white papers documenting the effectiveness of their product and will offer a 3o day trial version of their software.
10. Avoid Drive By Professional Development- All too often; schools will conduct one-session of professional development. This is a recipe for failure, as multiple sessions are needed to see a cohesive improvement. Additionally, follow up workshops are critical. It is also important to offer a menu of workshops as adults learning how to use technology have very different needs
233 comments:
1 – 200 of 233 Newer› Newest»These are all great ideas on how to create a school based technology plan. I would of had no idea where to start.
Having a team of all different types of teachers seems very important. Each teacher has a specialty and will contribute valuable input.
Using older technology as a writing center is also very smart. Students love the access to technology, even if it is to type up a report.
Overall this is a very helpful post.
Kimberly Braga
This seems like a good idea for building a technology plan. I wonder if any schools follow it though. I've never been involved in any technological planning, but was a recipient of the SmartBoard within my school.
It was piloted with the librarian the year before. She mastered it and taught all of us how to use the software, plus we had the representatives from Smart Notebook come to the school twice. However, the other nine "zens" were not done or were done behind the scenes.
It would have probably been more efficient if all of the zens had been done in a more cohesive, collaborative team.
Ayesha Long
I totally agree with the 10 Zens of technology planning with specific emphasis on numbers 2-5. Often times schools decide to take on this huge project with out proper planning. It is extrememly important to include a representative from each subject arean or grade level. This enables each to have a voice and be held accountable for using the implemented technology. It is also important to have long term and short term goals with actual activities to work towards. there are so many grant opportunities out there that schools just don't take advantage of either through ignorance or laziness.
I agree with planning, long term and short term. Without goals, how does one know which direction to take. It is a great idea to have many staff be involved in the planning. The more contributors in the planning allows for more ideas and use for the technology that will be used in the school. Grants are a great thing. If there are people who can take the time to write and follow up on them, good things can come to the school. It is true there are many things out there and available. Technology may become outdated but that does not mean it can no longer be used. There is a place for it somewhere. Professional development is important in order to get new technology to fly across the board. How can it be used in science or for English and math? That should all be explored and shown to educators.
Vanessa McMellon
After reading this post I thought that it was very important that you recruit a diverse committee with teachers of different specialties. It is crucial that you are able to get a wide sampling of ideas prior to make the investment on new technology. I also agreed with not necessarily purchasing what is viewed as the 'latest and greatest' many of these new devices have not had the opportunity to have the bugs worked out. I also agreed with the point that we should not be so quick to throw the old technology but find new ways to use it as we incorporate the updated devices.
Marlon Campbell
This was a very useful and informative article. If ever asked to be part of a technology planning committee, these are 10 vital items to note and carry out. Numbers 6-10 seem especially significant in order to carry out the short and long term goals of the technology plan. I would assume that a lot of time and research would have to go into planning something like this, in addition to covering the points made in this article. With the proper input and dedicated professionals, developing a technology plan for ones school would be a terrific accomplishment with many benefits for both teachers and students. Once derived, it would be useful for schools to follow-up with item 10. Just as students have varied needs, teachers do as well. In order to effectively implement the technology, adults need to be well versed and trained in the tools they are using.
Courtney Weiner
The information provided in this article is very useful. It is of great importance to research before buying a product that might end up not meeting the needs of the community being served. Getting a team together before making such a decision is crucial. Different teachers or educators might serve different communities. This will ensure that the product being purchased will be useful to the entire population and not just some. Planning ahead and setting goals will help the team make a good decision. G. Torres
The 10 Zens of Technology Planning gives us concrete and informative idea what to do when we face to develop a school based technology plan. Thank you so much for thinking ahead for us. I especially like the article, “Repaid and Repurpose Technology”. Many of us tend to think that old computers are not useful. It was an eye opening to read this article because my perspective to old computers changed. Personally, I also would like to add the list to reach out parents to get help. I believe that a lot of parents would like to involve children’s education, such as providing technology equipments and ideas.
Keiko Shari
I would certainly be intimidated by such a task. I don’t think I know enough about technology to do this. I think the idea of a committee is a great one. I would definitely need some consultants. It’s also a very good idea to conduct an inventory as Prof. Gutnicki suggests in order to see if the equipment needs to be updated as well as to find out what will the teachers and administrators use the equipment.
Furthermore, it’s great that there are grants out there that schools can seek out to minimize or cover the cost of needed technology. Repairing and reusing old computers as Prof. Gutnicki suggests is another good way to decrease the cost of new technology.
I appreciate that he warns us against “purchasing the newest technology toy.” He explains that it could be “costly” and unproven. Prof. Gutnicki encourages us to take advantage of free trial versions in order to research software.
I also like the fact that he thinks that it’s a good idea to have multiple professional development sessions and “follow up workshops” so that everyone can learn how to use the new technology. I use to work as electrical engineer for the city of N.Y. and they hardly ever paid for much needed training.
Very informative and useful information. Conducting research on products before implementing is very important. Vendors want to get their products sold but we have a responsibility to ensure the usefulness and effectiveness of software that we bring into schools and ultimately classrooms.
Number 10 really stood our for me because I have personally experienced "drive by professional development". One session truly is not enough to use new technology correctly especially considering that every does not have the same technological background.
Nitzeida George
If I was told by my principal that I was drafted to create a school based technology plan I would ask the same questions that Professor Gutnicki brought up in this article. The 10 Zens of Technology Planning though give me hope. This post was very helpful and interesting. All 10 of the zens of technology planning seem like they would work well but one that stood out to me and I think is important is to make a long term or short term plan/goal. Asking your committee in however many years or months what are we going to be achieving is very important. This gives them incentive to achieve something high and not forget about it in a few months of talking about it.
Nancy Mandarino
I think that these are 10 great ideas to consider before spending a certain amount of the budget on integrating technology into the curriculum. Including a network of teachers will ensure that the school is purchasing a product that will actually be used and incorporated in the classrooms. Long term and short term goals are very important when deciding the purpose of what the school is trying to achieve. Repairing old machines can also be useful for certain applications. I have old computers in my classroom that students use solely for publishing their writing assignments, and I think it’s great.
-Alla Priemyshev
Raisa Mykho
It is essential to reuse old technology. It is not only safe for our environment but also teaches our students a valuable lesson of respect.Our children mirror us,adults.They do not what we say but what we do.
These are all great ideas that should definetly be taken into consideration when having to draft a school based technology plan.
I think that this plan is a great way to incorporate technology effectively. Including all of the teachers will help the program to tackle every kind of child and student being addressed. The follow up professional development meetings will help the teachers to stay knowledgeable about the ever changing technology we must continue to introduce our students to. Danielle Ponsiglione Tech 650 Sunday Morning
There are great ideas for all in this article. I beleive that we as teachers benefit from Co-Teaching. We all have different things we are good at and these differences help benefit our students. I am not tech savy, the 10 Zens of Technology Planning provided important information and great ideas.
As an older student, technology scares and intimidates me, but I do realize, and have an appreciation for it's importance in today's world. Your plan seems like a good place to start for me.
from Joanne Termine
Very important points that all educators and staff should follow. Extremely helpful
There are many important points you make about getting tech. into schools. Also making sure that what comes in is being useful. I wonder how many schools actually follow a plan. I know my students each have computers, we keep them in school. These netbooks are always going down and brake fast. Maybe not the most kid friendly computer out there.
Denise C.
Wow. Are these 10 steps published? All schools should receive these steps as a guide to building a school based technology plan. A checklist with specific examples and ideas, I love it!
Developing a short and long term goal for the new school based technology imitative is a great idea. Setting a time frame to monitor progress throughout the process lets you know if you are on track. Having short term goals make the process less daunting because the task is broken down into steps. Having a committee with members from various subjects bring a variety of benefits to the project. It makes them feel valued because they are a part of the process. A variety of ideas will be created from having a diverse group and the technology could be specialized to serve the various groups. The knowledge they gain from the experience will help them help the students who may have questions.
From Stella Gindel
The technology plan is approached with both insight and a sense of compensation for any areas that might be overlooked. Each progressive stage of the 10 Zens is interlocked with the others. One central aspect of technology is that it trains us to macro-manage a project, to scout for all the important components of a given task. Not only is this an excellent means for laying out a technological project, the basic idea also extends past technology into other parts of our lives. There are important lessons here, lessons that we can apply to our approach to any number of challenges. The specific Zens being discussed are applied to a technology project, but the preparation model has a much wider application.
Having a good technology plan is essential for any school. A technology committee consisting of teachers, administrators and parents should meet on a regular basis in order to discuss the school's technology needs. This will ensure a budget plan and spending on appropriate technologies for the school.It will also reduce the possibility of waste as well as spending on unnecessary and or inappropriate technological gadgets.
Chaya Dusowitz
I wouldn’t know where to start if my principal assigns me this task. I’m not even computer savvy, so it would be indeed a daunting task for me. I would definitely follow your 10 Zen of Technology Planning. I like the idea of a committee consist of teachers from different subjects including ELA and special education teacher. Physical education teacher should be a part of this committee, as well. The committee allows teachers to share their ideas on what type of technology is needed to enhance their curriculum/lessons. Grants are very important, that where the bulk of money is coming from to pay for the new technology. Also, trying to upgrade or nursing old school’s technology back to health will save money. The bottom line is that planning is everything, especially when it comes to purchasing a lot of technology. No school wants to waste money and purchase technology that will collect dust. Also without you plan, I would probably look stupid and get fired.
Great tips and ideas for schools to consider before introducing technology to the school. I especially liked the grant ideas. I believe that every school needs a "grant coordinator." Someone who is in charge of researching all the options available for funding for the schools. Lots of government and grant funding is out there, it just needs to be accessed by the right person.
Great guidelines, especially having/knowing long and short term goals.
Great guidelines, especially having/knowing long and short term goals.
If I was to create a technology based school plan I would instantly fail. These 10 great tips are valuable to any and every school that deals with computer based technology. If these tips are followed which I think they should be schools can have a successful technology program instituted for students!
These Zens of Technology is a mailing list and resource for navigating daily life with the technology around us; it helps to provide modern day humans the tools they need to be happy, productive, and to create wonderful experiences!
The information provided in this article is very useful. It is very important to research before buying a product. This will ensure that the product being purchased will be useful to the everyone and not just some people. Having a good plan will be very useful. I don't think my school has a plan which is a shame because I think they would benefit from one.
All valid points have been made here and are applicable to planning of all sorts. It is always important to be readily prepared. An effective plan has both long term goals and short term objectives. Instruction is intended to be purposeful in order for learning to occur. Additionally, collaborative planning is highly effective. Through collaboration with others, more thoughts are shared to enhance instruction. Lastly, I agree that we all should utilize the materials at hand. Just because a piece of technology might be out of date, does not mean it cannot be useful. Repair products and use what you have! The internet is your friend!
This post shares very cool facts on how not to get lost if we are expected to introduce technology to our school. Indeed I think it is highly important to include different subject teachers. This will get them involved in the changes that will be made.
I agree with this blog post and feel it is a great idea to create a school based technology plan. Of the 10 Zens of Technology Planning, I agree with getting a group of different teachers of all different subject areas on board. I also think that coming up with a short term and long term plan is a great idea because it shows that this will be an advantage for the students not only now, but in the future and years from now. Repairing technology is also a great idea because very often do we not think of how these "old" technologies can be used.
- JamieLynn Vaccaro EDSE 650
Geihan Hussein EDSE 650
This was an interesting article, I would have no idea where to start if my principle assigned me this task. I believe it would take great planning among teachers and needs a lot of support. technology has become more involved in daily teaching, maybe it would be a great idea for students to have tablets in the classroom and be utilized for educational purpose. We also have to think about how much it will cost and can it be affordable.
EDSE 650 Samantha Mauri
These 10 methods to Zen while technology planning in a school setting make some great points. These tips would be extremely helpful to anyone who deals with technology in a school (which is probably everybody). By following this guide, I believe that the technology program would be used effectively, efficiently, and created to last.
These are wonderful ideas on how to approach the situation of how to plan for advancing the education of our children. Although, it maybe time consuming the results can be promising. I believe the most important aspect is taking the initiative to start the process by sharing your ideas with other teachers.
Rodney Knight EDSE 650
the 10 zens are something I completely agree with . I especially agree with long and short term goals . I think they help drive instruction properly and make the most of the students and teachers potential in the classroom
shani Yhakobovich
the 10 zens are something I completely agree with . I especially agree with long and short term goals . I think they help drive instruction properly and make the most of the students and teachers potential in the classroom
shani Yhakobovich
Maia Matcharashvili EDSE 650
After reading the article I strongly agree that long term and short term planning is very important, that schools should really plan for integrating technology in curriculums. It is also very important to make a team of teachers and make decisions together, so that product is purchased is useful for everyone in every field.
Nicholas Chao
EDSE 650
The 10 zens of technology planning is a valid method of creating a school based technology program. Each step serves as a guide to make sure one plans efficiently and effectively. When creating a technology plan, this criteria should be followed. These steps allow for one to thoroughly plan ahead, and view everything from all angles. I especially agree with the first zen and the last zen. I think it is important to collaborate with different minds in terms of different professional positions. To discuss with everyone as a group, will be beneficial for the entire plan. In regards to the last step, I agree that multiple sessions are needed to improve. It is critical that people are trained and educated on the technology they will be using.
Gina Angelo EDSE 650
I believe it is very important for schools to develop a plan for integrating technology into the curriculum. An effective technology plan is based on a shared vision of teachers, parents, members of the community, who have technological expertise. In my opinion, technology strengthens the curriculum and supports meaningful engaged learning for all students. The technology plan should specify how the technology will be paid for and how its use will be supported. To ensure that technology is effectively integrated into the schools, teachers and community members must collaborate to create a technology plan. Developing a plan for using technology to support education means more than providing for the acquisition of computers and software. In order to be successful, a technology plan must promote meaningful learning and collaboration. I believe schools that effectively use technology have a carefully designed technology plan that is part of the overall school-improvement plan.
My school is fortunate enough to have a technology team. We also attend technology workshops to help us maintain our technology use in the classroom. I agree with the amount of time and planning it takes to put together a technology plan - it is also very useful.
Today technology is a vital part of all schools. The world revolves around technology and children must be introduced to technology as early as possible. The 10 Zen's of Technology Planning is a useful tool for all teachers and/or schools who want to add or update their technology in that school. You blog has been a source of resourcefulness.
My school has very limited technology because we are a Nursery School and a Pre-K for all school. We would like to have some technology in the school though and the idea of finding a grant to fund some of this technology is a very interesting idea. I also think that it is important to have more than one technology session, whether in a small school setting like ours or a larger school. A teacher that is comfortable with the technology will use it.
L. Fuld
This year my school created a technology team. It consisted of 3 teachers that are very comfortable with using the SMARTboard and the Internet. Before attending the Professional Developments for technology, we all submitted a survey online. Based on the survey responses, we were grouped according the everyone's levels and comfort with technology. I found these PD's to be helpful, but I feel that the teachers in my school should read this blog before the PD's next year. This blog offered great strategies in creating a technology team.
This blog would definitely help me if my principal ever asked me to create a school based technology plan. I honestly wouldn't have known where to start. The information on grants could be very useful if I ever needed funds to help out school receive the necessary technology to update our school. This will definitely help me along the way if this issue ever arises.
I agree with this blog post and feel it is a great idea to create a school based technology plan. I agree that it is important to get a group of different teachers of all different subject areas on board. I also think that coming up with a short term and long term plan is a great idea because it shows that this will be an advantage for the students not only now, but in the near future and years from now. Repairing technology is also a great idea because very often do we not think of how these "old" technologies can be used. I absolutely think professional development on technology used should be done multiple times because I know I know how to do some things on the Smartboard that my colleagues do not know how to do and vice versa. This article was definitely informative and helpful!
Being a part of my schools technology team, I was thrilled to hear this list of guidelines. It has certainly given me a basis for future projects. Our school has certainly set some short-term goals recently. They have decided to set forward new reading software that meets the needs of all students based on their reading levels. Special educators, ELL teachers and all other important personnel listed above were all present when deciding to make this purchase. It makes me feel very proud to see that we are going about things in the right manner. I will certainly be sharing these guidelines with my team!
I am in a school that does not have enough technology. We do not have smart boards in every classroom. There are 13 laptops allocated to each grade yet we have 31 students per class. This is very frustrating since a schedule needs to be kept in order for each class to have a chance to use the computers each day. We do not have a technology team either so when there is a problem with the computers or smart boards you have to try to figure it out yourself. I am sure it takes a lot of time and planning but it seems like it would be worth it.
Thank you for the great article! These are all great ideas on how to create a school based technology plan. I would of had no idea where to start.I think in our world today every school should have technology teams and create more school based technology plans, for children to learn and explore
Integrating technology into the schools will help prepare students to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Technology integration also is important because it supports the goals of education reform. To ensure that technology is effectively integrated into the schools, educators and community members must collaborate to create a formal technology plan.The information providing in this article is very useful to successfuly complete the task.
If I were asked to create a school based technology plan, this article would do wonders for me. This article has 10 valuable guidelines that I would follow in order to create a successful plan. These are valuable points that all educators should follow.
Wildeen, ED SE 650
I believe the 10 Zen of Technology would be so beneficial not just to those in the public school sector but even more beneficial to those in the private school sectors. It is obvious the private schools on average has more limited resources than that in the public school sectors. So "the 10 Zen of Technology Planning" will be very advantageous to get more educators especially in the private schools to use more technology in the classroom.
This is the same problem schools had in the past with not having enough books for their students and I not even sure how much books cost in the past. IPads can be expensive but we can ask parents if their children can bring their own personal iPad that their child will only used and schools can alternate among classes. Schools officials should apply for grants, ask the PTA to raise money, fund raise, and etc for the iPads. Also Albany should make a deal with Apple for some discounts. Also contact Bill Gates and get some surfaces.
Jaclyn Boyles
650
After reading this article I strongly agree with planning, long term and short term. You need to set goals to keep order and direction. More staff members can be a great asset. The more contributors in the planning allows for more ideas. This will help the school in many ways.
As for me I found this article very up-to-date. Because as many of the other educators I have never been involved in any technological planning either and this article will be really useful for me.
I strongly agree wit hone fact that there are grants out there that schools can seek out to cover the cost of needed technology. And one more thing I found very important about the collaborative planning
which is highly effective.
C. Mark EDSE 650
I personally am computer illiterate so this 10 step plan would be perfect for me. The hardest part may be trying to get other teachers on board and invested. Ive taken a grant writing workshop before so I think that will work in my benefit. In my opinion, technology strengthens the curriculum and supports meaningful engaged learning for all students.
T.Alvarez
650 EDSE
in this century were everything is base on technology, applying for school, application for jobs etc. so its only make sense to incorporate into the schools. So if funding raising, or figuring out a way to use these technology would help the process.
Mariya
EDSE650
These seem like very good points to start technological planning. I especially liked the short and long term goals. I think these are crucial for actually following through on the plan because each person has designated assignments. I also like the part about not throwing out old computers. Many people immediately go for the new product when in reality, the old machine might actually work better in the long run.
Nelya Y. EDSE 650
I think that it's very good start. I liked idea about grants. The article gives lots of examples how to reach out without spending money on advertising. I would also include parents into my stockholders committee.
This post is very informative and I can relate to it. The school I work for formed a committee of teachers, parents and family workers to apply for a grant to purchase Ipads. We got the Ipads, they were distributed (one per classroom). There was no training on how to use them so there are many teachers who have them sitting in their closet because they are not familiar with this new technology. The children are being deprived as well.
Susana C.
650
it is very well said, lots of people have different degrees of understanding the technology and use of computers and to get everyone on the same page and limiting issues, its important for there to be several-occasion workshops that are mandatory. even the teachers who are familiar with the system can benefit and reinforce their learning and maybe excel at it.
Frieda Antebi
This article is very helpful. it has a lot of useful information that many people such as myself did not know. it is very amazing that there are so much ways to get free equipment for your school. it just takes the right mindset and dedication to go out there and find it.
kevin
Amanda Cougan
I feel as though planning is key. I have always been a big planner I feel that it is very important to plan ahead in means of being well prepared which in turn makes not only your lesson go a lot smoother but allows students to follow along much better as well.There are many benefits to planning being,creating structure within the classroom, allowing a sense of technology can also be beneficial as long as it is the proper means for that specific lesson.
I believe the most pertinent of your "10 Zens" is ironically number 1. Ensuring that potential technology will be usable for all subject matters is extremely important. Every teacher has specific and different needs for any instructional material or device. Ensuring that there are an array of stakeholders in a committee geared towards creating a technology plan is considerate and necessary.
Technological equipment is an important part of education. In my personal opinion a school principle should have a professional computer technician in a staff who would make research and look for educational technology. The research should be presented to the teachers and they may choose those technologies that suits best for their classroom and the students developmental level.
This is great! Especially for someone like me who is very behind in technology myself, I feel that this planning definitely takes away the stress of being thrown to the wolves when it comes to receiving new technologies in the classroom. The 10 Zen gives us steps on how to plan before, this way we are aware of how to get the right resources for the classroom and how to be prepared to use them beforehand. This is very advantageous to all learning, and all schools.
Stavroula Theodora's EDSE 650
The ten tens of technology are great guidelines to take into consideration when developing a technology plan. Technology is constantly changing and there is always something to learn. While working with students and technology, the committee must be extra careful. Technology should not be used in schools the same way it is used at home, such as social media. It is a good idea to be up today with technology.
EDSE 650 MONDAY
For me the idea that I might be responsible for a creation of a school based technology plan, sounds very unlikely. But anyway the ideas of how to choose a new device look very useful to me. Before buying a computer or iPad many of us do research on the Internet or ask friends about their opinion. It could help to remember many of the tips we read in this article.
It's time for us to plan and see what are we going to need in a couple of years, right now it is very easy to get technology. I think is important to as the article says plan and teach how to recycle or get the best use out of technology.
I agree if my principal approached me I would be very scared on not knowing where to begin. However, I do agree that having a team to help start the program is a great idea. To make a successful school need a variety of educators that are strong in all different areas.
This is a great article and would be fun to do one day..well maybe one day in the future.
Kellyann Doran EDSE650
I agree with the 10 zens of technology. I think that number 3 and 4 of developing long term and short term goals are a necessity. Without a plan things do not become to useful for educational purposes. The grants are a huge part of a source of income for these plans. The idea of throwing out technology is not too smart. I have a brand new mac that I use for mostly everything like the most updated programs, but however I have an old desktop that I use for word documents and for typing essentials.
Samantha W. EdSE 650
This does seem like a very overwhelming task. The advice in this article can be very helpful,additionally, I would advise to prioritize the order in which these tasks should be executed. Asking for grants and donations could take a while and should be filed asap. Also school materials should be inventoried to give the committee a better idea of what materials/potential materials are available when preparing for both short and long term goals. Approaching these tasks in the most optimal order will make things much less stressful and more organized
Vinny Garcia
This 10 Zens of Technology blog is an interesting read. It is important to form a strong committee when making a technology plan for your school. All 10 Zens are important to remember when planning, but one zen seemed very important to me when planning a technology plan. It is important to develop a long term plan as to which technological milestones that the school wishes to achieve.
Brittany E.
EdSE 650
Veronika Blank EDSE 650
Great post! The 10th zen of planning seemed most relative to me. In my teaching career I only attended 2 PD's on technology training. Although I'd like to think I am a fairly quick technological learner, I know many of my older coworkers have severe difficulty using different technological devices. Like mentioned within this blog, multiple professional development sessions should be offered to improve the understanding of all school faculty with different devices and programs. We all have different learning needs and different strengths and weaknesses and many teachers do not have the time to learn on their own how to use different technology to help them.
Veronika Blank EDSE 650
Great post! The 10th zen of planning seemed most relative to me. In my teaching career I only attended 2 PD's on technology training. Although I'd like to think I am a fairly quick technological learner, I know many of my older coworkers have severe difficulty using different technological devices. Like mentioned within this blog, multiple professional development sessions should be offered to improve the understanding of all school faculty with different devices and programs. We all have different learning needs and different strengths and weaknesses and many teachers do not have the time to learn on their own how to use different technology to help them.
These are very helpful points which all staff members and educators within a school system should know! This article is great as it shows the importance of planning. It is imperative to always set goals to keep order and direction.
-Chana Tabi
G.Willis EdSE650
Besides being in the school, people are always looking for the newest technology and buy it as soon as it comes out. The issue with this is that these new "toys" haven't had the chance to fully develop. The companies that make the newest technology need time to fix the bugs and delays. Being in a school setting and looking to update technology can be a tricky issue and as stated in the article, it is important to do your research before purchasing the technology. Professional Development is a quick and easy way for teachers to learn information but they are often not detailed enough. The teachers will often spend one day in professional development and then not have the answers needed to implement the suggestions.
Great!!! This article has 10 valuable ideas for technological planning that will be beneficial in any schools. We are living in such fast growing technological era that integrating and implementing technology with these steps long and short term goals will prolong advancement in technology.
The 10 Zens sounds like great advice. I Know teachers who have applied for grants for their schools for various reasons and have received them. I especially like the idea of saving old computers for simple projects while using the newer/stronger ones for image editing and other functions. I also agree that it is very important to include colleagues from various departments when taking on an endeavor such as this.
Michael S EDSE 650 BC
I found this article of the 10 Zens of technology planning very useful and has a great ideas. I think its very important to plan a head before we order any expensive stuff in the schools and also we have to create a short and long plans to make SURE THAT OUT students will benefit from these technology.
As a school team we have to gather together to become with one plan together as a team to share ou8r ideas and to know what will be more useful to our students.
Technology these days are very expensive and very tricky so we need to make sure to not over bay and also it is important to train our teacher to these technologies to know how to fully used it to help our children.
David Habib
EDSE 650
The information I learned was very informal. I will use this information with my school so that we can save money and maximize our technology with minimal cost. Gathering staff before paying for technology was a great idea. Each staff member may need the technology for different uses. As a result, it is good to get different opinions on what equipment the school may want to purchase. I also liked the idea of schools not throwing old computers away. With computer lasting a longer time it can save a school plenty of money in the long run. More computers means students have more access to computer use which will be beneficial.
Christina Visciano EDSE 650
The 10 Zens of Technology planning is a great article to ensure successful steps for planning. The par that stood out to me the most was number 10. Be Wary of Purchasing the Newest Technology Toy. I am a third grade teacher and have a set of laptops in my classroom. Although they are not the newest MacBooks, the serve its purpose. Students are able to navigate them easily, they are student friendly, and there aren't any buggy features. This is a great example of how spending money in the budget and purchasing the newest technology is not always the best choice, despite what advertisement says.
Alexandra Violetta EDSE 650
I thoroughly enjoyed this article. The article made some great valid points. After reading this article I strongly agree with planning, long term and short term. Setting goals helps to keep order and direction. With more staff in the school building on board this could be a great asset to the school building and community as well. a great staff on board will bring more contributors as well as more thoughts and ideas to make the school a better place. Long and short term goals always help in any type of plan especially with a technology plan, helping to set boundaries for whats to come. The only set back may be the funding for all the technology planning. A technology committee would need to be setup immediately in order to budget this correctly. This would help to ensure appropriate technologies for the school. The team would consist of teachers, para professionals administrators and parents. The team should meet once a week to discuss the school's technology needs as well as top priorities.
These were helpful tips on how to build a technology plan. Even though I am not in charge of building a technology plan, these are tips I can pass on to my colleague.
Your last tip is funny. The school I work at is master of the "drive by professional development." A few weeks ago, Microsoft put together a pd about using One Note. One Note seems like a wonderful tool for teachers. Hopefully they will have a follow up training.
Sabine J.
The ten zens of technology planning gives us great incite especially when discussing purchasing the newest technology toy. We are so quick to buy instead of waiting for these devices to sort out their issues after they are released. That being said, you can look at the other end of the spectrum where we are so quick to get rid of older equipment that is outdated, we fail to realize how some of these devices can be revamped and I like how the article mentions them being used for writing and research as opposed to photos and videos that the newer machines can be more useful for. I think that many of us as educators should be more mindful of technology overall, and how during our time period it is very important that we should be incorporating more of this type of planning in our schools.
-Victoria Troy
I found this article to be interesting. I have never really thought about the commitment of maintaining technology in the schools. I never realized it was the school's responsibility to organize and monitor their technological equipment. I always thought it was the district's responsibility. Now that I have read the article I am more aware of how technology is purchased in the schools. Thank you for sharing.
Jane Haddad
EDSE 650 BC
Esther Rosario
edsn 650
I must say that these are all good tips on learning about and maintaining technology.I like the tip that says to watch out for the new toys" that's funny because many people hear about a new toy and just want to run out and get it without finding out all of the perks and so on. I like how the plan has short term and long term goals, which keep your mind at an ease. You will know what to work on for now and in the long run. I will keep in mind these tips just in case !
I agree with every step listed in creating a successful school technology plan. I strongly agree with having multiple committee members. This not only brings various ideas and perspectives, but it also allows everyone to come together to find the products that benefits the needs of every child.
Yafit Gadaev
EDSE 650
I really enjoyed this article. The article made some great points. I agree with the planning of a long term and short term plan for technology in school. It sounds good for schools to be up to par with the latest technology and for the students to have access to it, but when the aspect of funding comes about it gets a little tricky. Most schools, whether private or public, struggle with one issue. That issue is the funding for their classrooms and students. Most schools are very limited to what they can provide for their students and that’s a shame. Having a technology committee in every school would be a great idea but they would need to be setup immediately so they can make arrangements for their schools budget. Every school needs a strong team that will help them succeed and strive to their fullest potential.
This is a good plan to include different specialty teachers. However, it is important to also have the IT staff on board too. The teachers would determine the goals and expected outcomes and IT will determine the best hardware and software. As the person in charge of determining the technology plan, they must meet one on one with the IT experts many times. I agree it is crucial that there are multiple workshops training the staff on how to use the technology.
Elliana Kim-alzate
650
Babayev eti
Edsn 650
The article is very interesting and helpful. Since technology taking over our lives it’s a great plan to have this plan for school. Students will feel more involved having the chance to use the technology in school as a daily base. Very interesting way to explore the technology system.
Although technology planning can be very stressful, it is critical to create a well thought plan that will not only stay within the schools budget, but also include all academics. There is a saying, "one mans trash is another mans treasure". I strong believe that recycling used technology can be beneficial to both the owner and purchaser. Creating an outline of all expectations for school technology will make it easier in creating a layout for each computer.
Milan Dey-Chao
EDSE650
I think these are great suggestion to map out a plan for incorporating school based technology plan. As I was reading this I couldn't help trying to prioritize these items in my head. The top three that stand out to me are grants, a committee, and multiple consistent professional development.
Ruty Israilov EDSE 650
I agree with planning, long term and short term. Without goals, how does one know which direction to take. It is a great idea to have many staff be involved in the planning. The more contributors in the planning allows for more ideas and use for the technology that will be used in the school. Grants are a great thing. If there are people who can take the time to write and follow up on them, good things can come to the school. It is true there are many things out there and available. How can it be used in science or for English and math? That should all be explored and shown to educators. Very informative and useful information. Conducting research on products before implementing is very important. Vendors want to get their products sold but we have a responsibility to ensure the usefulness and effectiveness of software that we bring into schools and ultimately classrooms. Long term and short term goals are very important when deciding the purpose of what the school is trying to achieve.
I completely agree that a well established team who is knowledgeable on technology will help create a great time for teachers in school. Some teachers might focus more on visuals and hands on activities instead of technology. However, I do think that each teacher can help each other on what devices to use. In the end, if schools that have technology it is the responsibilities of administration to have time to teach their teachers on how to use these devices. You can not expect teachers to know how to use devices without proper training.
Mariya Khaimova
EDSN 650
The 10 zones of technology is a helpful way to develop a technology plan for students. This article contains many interesting ideas that can be beneficial to many schools. School materials should be inventoried to give the staff a better idea of what the potential material is. Trainings should be given so the committee can use it properly.
These are some very interesting tips for providing schools with technology. It is always a good idea to conduct a plan first. It is always a good idea to have a technology person within the building that is available to answer any questions or concerns or even to keep you up to date with all the new software requirements. Of course in schools it is all based upon the funds the school has to spend it on. In private schools it is a bit different in which they are constantly receiving donations from various committees. For example, at my school we don't have a computer lab but we have a computer teacher that has two computer carts to share with grades one through eighth. As for when I was student teaching in a public school they are blessed with a computer lab and a program called STEM in which it is computer lab and science combined together. It is a neat and motivating aspect for students.
Stefanie Rizzo
EDSN 650 - Summer 2016
This article offers a lot of helpful tips for setting p technology in your school. I liked reading about getting a grant because I've always wondered how schools go about receiving those. I also appreciate the advice to not buy technology that is too new. Very often I have held out on buying the latest tech product simply for that reason.
Debra C.
EDSN 650
This is a very informative article because my school needs to implement this. Too often the "old" computers are thrown out instead of repair.
Kelly Subjenski
EDSN650
I really appreciated the point about repurposing older technology. Far too often older or slower computers, tablets, and other machines is tossed away even if it is still functioning because it isn't the most up to date or because it is too big and bulky. Very often schools will opt to replace their older computers simply because it is trying to save space. Following in that mindset, in the area that you have one older desktop you could fit a small cabinet of laptops. The article points out that there is no harm I mixing the old technologies with the new ones. For example, as the article states, using slower, less graphically able computers for purposes such as writing labs is a great way for schools are able to repurpose their functioning older machines.
Alan Avezov
EDSN 650
This article presents us with a great lesson to be applied for all situations---planning. Whenever found in a circumstance that makes it difficult to make an important decision, one should always plan ahead all the necessary arrangements that will lead him/her to making their final decision.
Olga Vasquez
ED650
summer 2016
This article makes a great point about the importance of planning. In order to have a thorough and cohesive technology plan it is important to plan out your actions. Additionally the article also makes a good point about not jumping into purchasing any type of devices right away without searching it first. A good example that is given is that of the iPhone which at first was being sold at retail price of 500$ and it didn't work that great yet eventually it was sold for cheaper with a better quality. This is also a good consideration to take into account.
I think that this article really points out many of the main components that educators should be asking when creating a technology plan. I feel that the post important point was number 7. Many schools are way too quick to get rid of older computers. Many of the older computers just have glitches that make them operate slowly. By fixing their bugs and imaging, these computers can be just as great as newer computers.
Older computers also have many older soft wares installed that can no longer be downloaded. By getting rid of these computers, precious resources are really being wasted.
Patricia Murphy
EDIN 670
Very to the point information to start thinking about our own technology plan since I have no experience with this type of endeavors. As a teacher I agree that too often PD are provided more as a way provide a PD for the sake of it than to actually go deep into a topic. I was wondering how and where one look for somebody to back up a proposal financially. Juliette
I found the article to be succinct in detailing the best practices for implementing a technology plan. First, I agree that support activities should be driving force in achieving goals. Many goals can be written on the parchment, however without a timeline of supporting activities the likelihood of achieving these goals is severely diminished. Second, securing grants can help procure resources. In the past year alone, many of my colleagues secured grants by using Donors Choose or similar programs. I believe the monies are out there if you put in the leg work to seek them. Last, I think it’s crucial to test the software. All too often our administrators jump into multiple year contracts with without having an ample trial period to assess the base effectiveness of the software. Overall, as stated this article was helpful in providing a blueprint of “Do’s”for successfully creating a technology plan.
This is a very interesting article to read, especially for people like myself that have never been involved in creating a technology plan. I feel as though this article was very informative and will assist me in what steps to take when creating a technology plan. The part of the article that discusses short term and long term goals is extremely important because all goals set should be achievable, and if you are able to achieve your short term goals you will most likely be able to achieve your long term goals.
Shakira Canty
EDIN670
These are really great tips that one must consider when creating a technology plan. In our culture where we see new technology being placed on the market every few months, it can become tricky and cause consumers to lose focus on what's really important - the needs of the students that they are planning for. Therefore, I particularly agree that the specialist or the team should pause and research ways they can improve their old systems before spending excessively on newer products that are more inferior.
Charmaine EDIN 670 (Summer 2016)
I found the article to be succinct in detailing the best practices for implementing a technology plan. First, I agree that support activities should be driving force in achieving goals. Many goals can be written on the parchment, however without a timeline of supporting activities the likelihood of achieving these goals is severely diminished. Second, securing grants can help procure resources. In the past year alone, many of my colleagues secured grants by using Donors Choose or similar programs. I believe the monies are out there if you put in the leg work to seek them. Last, I think it’s crucial to test the software. All too often are administrators jump into multiple year contracts with without having an ample trial period to assess the overall effectiveness of the software. Overall, as stated this article was helpful in providing a blueprint of “Do’s”for successfully creating a technology plan.
Tyler LoMeli
EDIN 670
I found this article to be very informative. Ensuring that everyone on the committee has their own department (math, science, ELL) is very important as many different parts of the school may benefit from the grant. Another good point was made about reusing technology. It makes sense to reuse technology that is outdated for simpler tasks that can still be handled. This allows newer technologies to handle newer applications that require more power or the latest drivers. It is also true that avoiding new technologies that are in their first generation may be advisable. This can be seen in many different companies now a days. Most major technology companies have difficult launches of their new devices. For example, Microsoft often releases its operating systems with incentive programs for users to find bugs in the system. While this is good for interacting with the customer base, it alarms those that are buying the new system as there is already the issue of bugs and glitches in a new software. This is true of any technology that is new as it is often untested by a large user base. The law of large numbers applies with hardware and software launches. I think this article touches on many good points regarding the concerns of creating a technology program.
Kelly Faughey
Summer 2016
EDIT 670
The article presented had excellent ideas of how you can plan and create different technology goals and decisions. This is very important when constructing goals in education. Sometimes planning can be very difficult as an Technology Specialist. I agree with the article regarding not throwing away used computers. You can always try to fix them or use them for spare parts. This article is an excellent resource.
The article is very informative on how to create a Technology plan. It gives the facts on the ten top elements needed to complete a plan. A school team is very important, because they all have a view on the needs of a child in the school. When planning anything for a child's education, their should always be more than one person involved. The DOE does dispose of old computers, but it frustrating to have any device in your classroom taking up space and it doesn't work. It should be allowed, for the computers to be donated to something in the community like a church, daycare, community center etc...
A. Rivera EDIT 670
I agree with the 10 technology planning best practices. The 10 practices form a cohesive and comprehensive plan in regards to creating a functional and realistic technology plan for school. The two elements that stand out are involving many vested stakeholders and investing in sound professional development.
The key stakeholders bring real world needs that will drive the technology use and better pair technology purchases to the actual needs of the school. Secondly, sound professional development allows technology users the opportunity to truly access the potential of the acquired hardware and software.
This article is very informative. I like the fact that it explains who should be included when writing the plan because they are major key figures. The article gave detailed insight of the different sources to ask to invest in the school. I also appreciated the ideas that were given about fixing the computers and tips about the software. This will help me if and when I do decide to write a grant. Flamingo
EDIT 670 Summer
The article gives good examples of technology planning. I think the teachers working together as a group, they would come up with good ideas on how to go about this. Technology is a great aspect of teaching students because today everyone knows how to use the computer.
nana magali, 650 summer 4, 2016
I am not for everything to be technology based in a classroom. I feel students can have a time set aside where the teacher gives the students technology time and they can explore different aspects. I do not feel have notebooks changed to net books, and computers changed to iphones is going to be beneficial to our students. Yes, are some children more visual learners? yes, but that is why the smart board was created which I think was a great invention, but that is the teachers domain, and should stay an adult/teacher/supervisors domain. I do not feel a student/child should have so much exposure to technology, because it takes away from fine motor skills and the basic foundation of penmanship and how to write. We want our children to still come out educated and know the basics of how to read, write and articulate themselves in a educational manner, and if we constantly keep substituting technology with the original foundations of education, we are creating disaster. Children have enough spare time where they are getting exposure of technology, and if we were to do this epic movement there is a lot to consider. Cost, upkeep, responsibility, and trust of having this expensive technology ion the hands of young children where they may not respect the property. Then you have to consider damages, replacement, and theft. I think it becomes too much, and not educationally appropriate.
Samantha Laurella EDSE 650
This article has brought light to the fact that every school should have teams of professionals that have different specialties. Teachers and administration always have a hard time when it comes time to making major decisions. therefore, planning ahead is the key to success. Computers are a great source for learning and preparing to share information with students, as well as collaborating with staff members.
I agree that there need to be long term goals and short term objectives set for technology planning. I also agree with the notion of testing the technology before putting in a huge order. Additionally, teachers need to be trained to use any new technology the school receives.
This is a great article about the 10 Zens. Great school base technology plans. Its shows me what I should be looking for to get ready to help my school with the school computer lab and science lab. A long time term plan is what a lot of school needs to look for accomplishments.
Tantinia 650
Creating a plan with short and long term goals would make it much easier for schools to do well with technology. Technology can be a tremendous asset to schools if the faculty, administration and students were given the proper training. The idea of repurposing older technology is really great as well. This is because we are, indeed, leaving equipment in the hands of students who are ultimately children. However, this can be a great lesson about responsibility as well.
Alyssa Emhoff
Course #650
These are all great ideas and I couldn't agree with them more. the breakdown of each part is easy to understand and I think it makes it easier for schools, teachers and administrators to have a breakdown such as this. It is a good how-to guide. I think all schools should have a plan such as this to help guide their staff. It's both informative and useful because everyone on the committee has a job and plays an important role. Having a technology plan is hard because there is so much to think about, cost, how its getting paid for, what brand of products to buy. All of these things are important details that need to be discussed.
This article has many great ideas on how to design an effective school technology plan. This is something schools should be considering to allow students to explore technology in a useful way. It was helpful to me as well since I've never designed one and those tips will definitely come in handy if I have to design one in the future.
Farah
EDSN 650
I think that this plan is a great way to incorporate technology effectively in the classroom. I feel as though the 10 Zen's really hit home with what students need in the classroom. There should definitely be a committee present when making such decisions. I agree that the newest technology is not always the best opinions, especially due to it's costs. The higher in demand an item is does not make it any better than the older model. It is a shame that so much good technology is thrown away before it's time.
Marie Amato
EDSN 650
I like your ideas of professional development for new technology. Many times, new equipment is thrown into the classrooms without enough direction to people like me, who don't know nearly enough about it.
In order for the teacher to use the technology effectively, there needs to be sufficient instruction.
I also agree with your re purposing of the machines. There's no need to just throw out the old, and in with the new! This is not just wasteful, but bad for our environment. I also like the idea of taking apart the machines and using them for parts. Good choice!
EDSE 650 Rachel
Great article and great advises. I strongly agree with having to plan a short and a long term goal, which to my opinion will help to stay on track and measure progress in a future. I also like an idea that everything brand new is not necessarily best, and often overpriced, so to go with the model older or with competing brand could be a solution.
Peter Piroso EDSN 650
Before reading this blog if I was to be given this task I would have no idea where to start. I find that #'s 1,7,9 in particular to be important. Getting a "team" of other staff members allow different ideas to be heard. #7 is important because schools really do just throw out useful technology to the side when it could be put to a different use. #9 ensures you get the best deal and more importantly the right fit for your school.
Christian K EDSE 650
This article was very helpful in showing effective ways for technology planning in a school. It is very important that short and long term goals are established as discussed in this article. It is also important that the members of the committee be very cautious in making their decisions.
Edward DeCamillis
EDSE 650
Having a good technology plan is essential for any school. I think it is also very important to create a committee with people of different titles to help contribute to the establishment of technology in the classroom. I like the idea of having companies donate their old computers to avoid the cost and recycling. I will borrow this idea if the time comes when my facility needs to utilize the suggestion. Finally I feel like too many schools do provide "drive by professional development" with respect to technology use. So many of us have different experience and needs with technology we need to be able to have access to different levels and follow ups when it comes to how technology is best utilized in schools.
this is a great technology plan, as it is insightful and looks ahead to go beyond the now. I think it is great to think where you want to be in 5 years, because then you look at the bigger picture. Many of my special ed students need speech devices, and the school is hesitant in purchasing them since the students do not speak, but i think if we look ahead at where we want them to be, and that is obviously a verbal communicative child, then we need to start them out on these devices early on.
I work in a small C.B.O UPK program (community based organization, universal pre-k)with only one classroom per grade level (4 classrooms total). Being one of the younger staff members, my directors and coworkers often rely on my "expertise" when it comes to selecting appropriate technologies for our school. Since I grew up with technology, I do inherently know more about than most of the staff, however, I do not always feel qualified to make these kinds of decisions for my school. This article will help me in the future, as I will take the 10 zens into consideration moving forward.
This idea is very good guidance towards building a technology plan. I wonder if other schools came across and used your ideas? I also know that moving forwards I know what to expect and look forward to. I've never been involved in any technological planning, but was a recipient of technological information it is extremely important to plan ahead of time. Ensuring that the long term goals are met, leading to the accomplishment of a long term goal. Also help students excel educationally.
Kenesha
Summer IV 2016
EdSN 650
This article detailed the importance of having people working together on different specialties within the schools. The article gives good examples of technology planning which is something that schools need more of.
Also something that is overlooked is something like technology costs. As an education department it would be wise to reassess how we are spending our money and if it is really worth it or not to shell big money for an unrefined piece of technology.
Curtis EDU 650
I agree fully. this article is a testament to what my school has done to implement a strong technology model.
I think this was a very informative article. Planning is always key to any successful outcome. It is important to work together as a team and designate roles according to the professionals specialty.
Geoffrey Zimmerman
11/7/16
Day 4
After reading this blog, I would suggest to an administrator that in order to create the best team possible, assembly of staff with a wide range of skills would be best. Each professional should have qualities in different specialties. I also really like the suggestion of testing the software before buying from the vendors. The technological decisions made at the school I work in seem to be made without seeing the materials in action first.
Our internet fails daily and the only solution seems to be that the principal gets upset and pulls the router plug, resetting everything. I know they are paying top dollar and did not sample before buying.
Grants are very important to all schools and a means to provide extras for students in order to give them the best opportunity to succeed.
I think many of these ideas are common sense that should be thought about by everyone before they purchase new equipment for schools, yet not all people think enough about these ideas. Coming up with plans-both short term and long term are always an important first step before accomplishing or buying something. Grants are also something that not everyone thinks about at first, but can be accessible and quite helpful if they qualify. On a whole, the 10 zens of technology planning are useful tips that all people should read before going further in buying technology and equipment for school/students.
Malka Kramer
EDSN-650
Faye Grossman
11/21/16
EDSN 650
this is a very informative article. often, when one is given a job that seems to overwhelming at first, it helps to break it down into mini pieces. This article does just that. I found the tips on obtaining grants very helpful. school funding is a sore topic to many educators and grants do wonders in ensuring that the students get the educational tools they need to help them learn.
When trying to come up with a technology team these ten factors are important to consider. People on the technology team should cover a wide variety of staff members from your school, not everyone should be from one department. Putting these plans together takes time no onw is going to be able to put a technology plan or team together in one try it is going to take time and effort from everyone.
Before trying to replace the old equipment with new we should try and see if these computers can be fixed or reused for something else before getting rid of it. People on this team should consider getting thoroughly trained in this area so they are able to handle whatever situation they find themselves in.
Matt Troisi
Fall 2016
Eugene Naccarato
It is essential for your lesson plans to constantly adjust to new technological advancements. It is key for a team of skilled staff members to be created. Also schools do often buy brand new technology and in so many instances something goes wrong. In brand new technology too often there are still bugs that need to be addressed.
A.Roche
EDSN 650_Fall 16_Monday
This article had many great ideas and points when thinking about developing a technology plan. It's so important to create a team of diverse people in order to best reach a population. Additionally, I strongly agree with the whole idea of planning short and long term goals. It's important with any task, to really take the time to map out where you plan on heading with a project. In order to best prepare, you should have short term goals which are achievable quickly while also planning long term and taking the small steps along the way.
This article was very insightful on all the ways you should implement technology. Planning the way you are going to incorporate technology will help towards a positive outcome. Luckily, I grew up with technology so I am able to understand it more than some of the older staff that I work with. I agree with the article in where you address the lack of professional development. Multiple sessions of professional development will help guide and support staff who may struggle with technology.
Christina S.
EDSN 650
FALL 2016
I like this article and how it helps teachers and other educators develop a plan to incorporate technology in the schools. i think that computers is always a good thing to have in schools because it is another form of learning for the children and can help them to acquire a better knowledge and understanding of the lesson. the same way a power point presentation can have great impact on the way children learn and can be useful in a classroom computers or tablets can also be useful if they are used in the proper manner in school. the steps in this article are a great help in getting a program of technology started in a school.
Alina Cuello
650 Monday evening class.
This was a very informative article that detailed important points that I would consider if I needed to create a school based technology plan. This sounds like an overwhelming task, and the steps outlined in the article emphasize a guide to follow that would help me develop effective technological advances in a school setting. The first point, establishing a committee with stakeholders of varying interests, seems to be a vital component of planning because it suggests the inclusion of other staff in the development and consideration of technological advances. It would be beneficial to determine how the technology will enhance all aspects of the school community and the significance of considering other stakeholders. This is a must for any successful school technology plan.
Natalie Kabakov
EDSN 650
I think planning for the long and short term are crucial steps to success. Without planning and setting goals we are not setting students up for success. In the school I work in we have assigned times during the week where we need to collaborate and write lesson plans with other math teachers on our grade. This insures students are receiving similar instruction regardless of what class the student is is.I believe we have to take the same process for technology. Teachers should sit down and plan how they are going to use technology in the room together. I also believe there should be more professional development meetings based on new technology we have received. What good is having technology if we are not using it? How can this technology be used for all classes? We actually have these meetings with people who work for the smartboard company we have. I believe its edteq but could be wrong. The information we receive on the smartboard is enlightening and i believe even though it will one day be old, it will still be effective for sometime.
Thomas Finale 650
The best idea would seem to be employing a team of contributors to determine what technology would be best utilized in the school. I would not feel I alone could judge the best needs of an entire grade. Another step that would definitely prove optimally effective would be to plan for several mini-workshops <for staff development, so that most staff could get familiar with the objectives of the materials purchased and the best way to use them with the students.
Naseer FALL 2016 EDSN 650
After review everything that was recommended in this blog, I realized that it's very important for us to consider every aspect when addressing technology. It's very important to get input from all the staff members in the school because it will help form a wise decision.Every aspect needs to be considered especially if it's going to be benefiting our students. Also testing technology is something that should be done before investing in any product because often we don't realize and a bad investment is made.
This informative article addresses the issue of technology implementation in the school system in a very comprehensive, in-depth manner. It recognizes the often overlooked fact that writing a comprehensive, well designed technology plan for an educational institution requires a multidiscipline team approach. Each member of the multidiscipline committee brings a different perspective, experience, and overall outlook on the school based technology.
From the pragmatic point of view, this article offers an array of ideas related to acquiring funding for school based technology. For me the cost related topic is incredible important. Many school administrators that I have worked with avoided the discussions about the implementation of the school based technology. Reason? Not sufficient school budget. Prof. Gutnicki's article makes it very clear that funding for school technology is available through multiple venues; as is the technology itself. I will probably make references to this article in my future conversations with school administration when we address the technological needs of our students and organization. Agnieszka Tarasewicz-Patrice
this article gives good examples of technology planning which is something that schools need more of. In my opinion, I feel that it is necessary for the committee to consist of teachers from different subjects including ELA and special education teacher. This is good idea for building a technology plan. Also since technology is such a growing field and most schools cannot afford iPads, computers etc in their classrooms, grants are very important to all schools because it gives students the best opportunity to succeed.
Amanda Riccio
Victoriya Levkovskaya
EDSN 650 Monday
This article brought up some interesting points about planning technology in schools. I like the idea of creating both a short term and a long term plan. This way the goals of each are clear and can be easier achieved. I also liked the part about grants because technology can be expensive and some schools may not have the extra funds. Seeking out grants is a great solution and it just starts with some basic research and a phone call. In addition, I think that it is a great idea to repurpose older technology. Sure, newer technology may be more efficient for some goals but that does not mean that old technology should be thrown out or overlooked. If a machine does not work as well as it used to, perhaps it can still be used to type on. If a machine can not function at all, it is smart idea to see if any of the parts can be repurposed for other means. Overall, I think that technology should be acquired and used wisely and in order to do that, schools and teachers have to really put thought and research into it.
After reading about this article it has shown detailed importance of having people work with one another on different specialties within the schools. It has provided us with great examples of technology planning which can be very valuable for schools to have use of. There is even another positive from this in which can be overseen at times and that is the cost of technology. Working for the Department of Education (DOE) it would make sense to take an overview as to what is being spent and if there is significant value in making those technological gizmos apart of the classroom we use today.
Mike L 650 FALL 2016,
I like the ten zens of technology planning. When asking myself what I'd do in the given situation I immediately felt that I'd be overwhelmed and not know where to start. A particular zen approach that stuck out to me was having multiple stakeholders be involved in the decision making. In order to build a well balanced plan involving stakeholders from different areas of interest is vital. Something else that stuck out to me was setting short term and long term goals. This is something I'm realizing is important in my own life so I could see how this would be important for success
From Betty Cohen monday technology class at touro-
Great article. I especially liked the points of "repair and re purpose technology" and "be wary of purchasing the newest technology toy". It's bad to throw out things when they get a little old to use something new- you don't even know if the latest thing will be just as good, and often has hardware problems,. Stick to what you have (less costly) unless it is really outdated.
I think the most important thing is developing first a long term goal and short term goal. Identifying the goals as you establish a plan is important otherwise your just planning to use the software with no checklist or goals to achieve. Once you have established these goals you can then plan for which type of software and technology you would like to use for the students to achieve these goals and help them achieve a better education. Technology has allowed us in today's world to expand the education of our students inside the classroom astronomically. It brings a unique learning experience inside the classroom for all students who all learn in different types of ways.
I think the most important thing is developing first a long term goal and short term goal. Identifying the goals as you establish a plan is important otherwise your just planning to use the software with no checklist or goals to achieve. Once you have established these goals you can then plan for which type of software and technology you would like to use for the students to achieve these goals and help them achieve a better education. Technology has allowed us in today's world to expand the education of our students inside the classroom astronomically. It brings a unique learning experience inside the classroom for all students who all learn in different types of ways.
650 Fall class
Steven Sena
All of the 10 ideas are great ideas. Often schools and offices follow trends when it comes to new technology, the latest equipment and the latest programs. These new items often become obsolete when something new comes along. I believe that planning is always the best policy. The IT person should not be the sole person to indicate that it's time for updated equipment and programs. With a plan set in place a school can determine the possible life span of their equipment and programs as long as they plan both long and short term goals and see if they are getting the desired results. Then they utilize it as planned in order to obtain the possible success
I truly agree with all 10 of the ideas. I believe that planning is key to any successful endeavor. I believe that schools and companies waste a great deal of money trying to keep up with the latest trend in technology. I believe that determining whether a school or company needs to purchase new equipment or software should not be the sloe determination of the "IT guy." Knowing what you want to accomplish by having the equipment, find the best equipment and make sure that the equipment will meet satisfy not only your long term goals for it but the long term goals who have for it. Planning should always include a proposal to various resources to pay for the equipment which also would include enough for the necessary maintenance and necessary add-ons so that the equipment is able to run the duration. I thing that once schools acquire the equipment the administration as well as the teachers and students should form a partnership to discuss how to successful maintain the investment that the whole school is responsible for. I enjoyed the article and thought that it was very informative and believe that every school should consider following this idea.
Evelyn Peterkin EDSN 650 Fall 2016
I found this article to be a good basis for starting to think about the components associated with writing a technology plan for a school.
I am one of those teachers who is looking to push for technology in my school. The only technology that is provided is a "dinosaur" desktop that only runs one program for the students use, with no internet connection to at least provide some variety. The teachers are struggling to understand and use the schools online curriculum for conducting assessments and collecting data.
I like that the article give teachers like me a sort of guide as to what steps to take when you are trying to begin this process. I appreciate the mention of continuous professional development since this is vital in helping the staff truly implement the technology. V.Cedeno
Very informative. Being a Writing Teacher, my students would love a form of technology to type their pieces, old or new.
"The 10 Zens of Technology Planning" is a guide for effectively creating a technology plan which consistently evaluates and re-evaluates short term goals, people, resources, and tools for re-purposing technology.
I found this article to be very informative. I was particularly interested in reading about the team that is involved in the technology planning committee. Inviting teachers from different departments to join the committee can enrich the plan from different point of view and teaching philosophies. A team comprised of professionals in different content areas can help create a plan that provides multiple pathways to learning and proper technology. integration.
Y.Lopez
EDIN 670
Miriam Lagnado
This article is very informative. While constructing a technology plan, it is important to keep these ten steps in mind. I like the way you included the tip about refurnishing old devices. It is critical not to throw out technology that can still be useful. This can help raise the school budget, allowing them to purchase new, needed devices for students. In turn, this will affect the children's education.
This article showcases many useful ideas on how to create a school based technology plan. My favorite pointers are to establish a committee of varying interest and to repair and repurpose technology. I believe it is important for all staff members to be involved in technology planning. Different staff members offer unique strengths. Technology in your school will benefit from collaborating and combining resources. Also, I feel too often many schools waste funds on technology. Many old computes that still work are tossed away to the trash. I believe schools should find a way to use older technology devices. For example if a computer is too old to be used for the latest software perhaps it can still be used to create word documents. I also wondered why the DOE has never offered older devices to students. Many of my students can’t afford a tablet or computer. Why not give away technology devices that are still useable however considered trash.
I think this article was very informative. I think grants would be a great way to get enough technology equipment for all the students.
overall, the zen plan is quite helpful. although i don't quite agree with every rule, the overall structure sets you up with a safe way to go about your pursuit. 3-6 really hit home for me as a teacher because i believe that working with a school's local community (i.e; parents, neighbors, law enforcement, etc)and creating steps to ensure our children's future is the solution to preparing youths for adulthood.
EDIN670. This article gives you great direction on where to start and how to go about creating a technology plan. I love the fact that it highlighted the key components of the plan and how to determine how successful the plan is by setting goals.
This article gives one a great idea on how to write a Technology Plan, especially if someone does not know how or where to begin. It is important to have goals - both long term and short term in order for any plan to be successful. An effective technology plan is based on the contributions and shared visions of teachers from different fields, parents,as well as members of the community.
I agree with this post and think it would be a very useful read for anyone who may be in the position of developing a technology plan. A committee of stakeholders is a great way to establish a need of interests from various points of view, so picking staff from different content areas is crucial to make this beneficial to all needs of the students. A long and short term plan are perhaps the most useful when thinking of making a technology plan, you want to know where your vision is going and where you want to end up, both in 5 years from now and in 5 months from now.
You need knowledge of what you are purchasing before you purchase it. The article mentioned that you can refurbish old technology that you have. I notice that in a lot of schools people are throwing away old desktop computers or leaving them aside because they got new Mac or ChromeBooks. The hardware that people leave sitting behind in their schools can still be very useful for students and can be made of use for multiple purposes, such as a resource and research.
Donna G _ EDIN670 (Summer 2017)
This article was very simple and provides you with a brief checklist of sorts. It can definitely be used to ease the panic of a teacher that has been tasked with the objective to create a technology plan. The ten steps were very easy to manage. The best step/tip was in my opinion the tenth one because it is a step that many people in administration forget or don't know. It is very important to remember that teachers need to feel confident and able to assist in fulfilling any and all technology plans so they much get proper training and assistance. That training and assistance should be ongoing and tailored to all types of learners.
These are all great ideas on how to create a school based technology plan. I totally agree with the 10 Zens of technology planning. Often times schools decide to take on this huge project with out proper planning. I love that you mentioned to include a representative from each subject area or grade level as part of the committee. This enables all teachers including special area teachers to have a voice. It is also important to have long term and short term goals with actual activities to work towards. Lastly, I agree about refurbishing older technology equipment as opposed to tossing it. A writing lab would benefit from it.
Overall, great ideas!
EDIN 670 - MF
This is a very informative article. If my educational director asked me to come up with a technology plan I wouldn't have the slightest clue where to begin. After reading this article of course, the starting point and the steps that follow are clear. The zens that stand out most to me are 6 and 9. Often times schools are often at a shortage of money which can be extremely difficult when keeping up with technology based learning opportunities. Knowing who to approach can save a lot of time and energy as this merger should be beneficial to both the donor and the recipient. Zen 9 stands out because, when making such a critical and costly decision it doesn’t hurt to try out the product. Using the over-saturated market to your advantage allows you to weave thru the various software available.
This was very insightful. I think steps 6-10 are obviously extremely important and necessary before starting. I think getting some teachers involved who need to become more technologically savvy is very smart. It is also important for schools to have tablets and ipads because some families cannot afford them.
- Joseph Stabach
Creating a school based technology team is a great idea. Involving all teachers within this process is especially helpful in which all teachers will have something to contribute to the table. Each teacher has their own specialty along with opinions to what is important and what is not. Having a school based technology system is helpful for the students because each school will be able to tailor the system to their own specific needs of that school's population. All students in every school are different, this will help all of the students on a more individual level. These steps are significant for many teachers who would not know where to even begin in this process. Grants are a good way to start this program since many things are costly. I found these tips to be very helpful for someone who would not know exactly what to do in beginning to plan for a school based technology system.
-Bianca Nelms
I thought this article was extremely informative and valuable especially to teachers. You have to utilize the newest technology that you have the best way that you can. And older technology does NOT have to be thrown away. It can be put into a writing center for lighter work.
This article offers 10 useful ideas to keep in mind when spending a certain amount of money on integrated technology in the curriculum. Gathering all the teachers and making a unanimous decision about what would best benefit the classrooms is one way of making the budget for technology spent wisely. It is also important to make realistic long term and short term goals when purchasing technology suitable for the curriculum. Some old machines are worth repairing and can be reused for simple tasks such as typing up and publishing written assignments.
Honestly, this article is very helpful and informative especially for those teachers that are not really advanced in technology. For various schools it crucial to have a large group of creative teachers that will be working as a team. This article also supplies you with some great ideas especially how to get an access to new advanced technology at no cost and eventually implement it into your new lesson.
Galyna Melnyk
This article had really useful information. When doing research for new technology all of these points are useful. One point that stood out to me the most was when school are really quick to get rid of old equipment rather than seeing if they can be used, and the extra money used can enhance students schooling in another way.
This article was very interesting. I agree that we should have many professional developments as well as workshops in order inform and develop teachers tech skills. Often times teachers have limited tech skills and may need someone to teach them!
Chelsea Olgiati
This article is very helpful and informative. It is always good for a school to gather a committee together and create long term and short term goals. Creating a committee filled with various staff members can evolve new ideas and expand the use of technology across the board.
-Jennifer Occhipinti
This article has a lot of information that not in all schools are provided. There are cases where teachers or principals just don't look out for this types of things. They just willing to get everything with out getting done anything from their side. This is very important article on how to guide teachers can create a committee that will work on the technology plan. I also a great idea to have different teachers get incorporated in this plan, because each teacher can provided different information.
Erika Zumba
EDSN 650
The 10 zens of technology planning contains information useful for technology beginners just like me. The very first point is significant because it is important to have a team of members to contribute together and give each other ideas to establish something useful for all.
I like the idea of repair and repurpose technology. Many older devices were thrown away because it reacts slow or in a low functioning mode. I think these devices should be repaired and can be re-use again.
Dan Dan Xie
EDSN 650 summer 2017
The involvement of all the different teachers are an important contribution to the 10 Zens of purchasing and obtaining technology, and also other professionals know their students and their own expertise such as an ELL teacher can bring a foreign language skill contribution and set up a Bilingual program for students who need it. The equipment should not be so easily discarded when NYC for example has no money and old models can be used for research, homework, math, spreadsheet that does not require the internet. School based technology whether or not it is internet accessible contributes to students' academic achievement.
Implementing a new program into the school curriculum such technology requires a great deal of planning.The ten zens of technology planning that was suggested for the implementation of the technology program are great. School leaders and teachers must be able to collaborate with parents, stakeholders and the community at large to share their vision, and seek community support to plan programs that are support of their children reaching their potentials and achieving their academic goals.With the implementation of technology which supports students' learning parents are stakeholders will give schools full support if they are incorporated into the decision making process.
I think its a great idea to try to raise money for technological purposes in the classroom. If there is a wealthy philanthropist who wants to donate technology to schools, this is a great investment and it would be a great idea to try to seek out grants/write grant proposals to these philanthropists or politicians for educational purposes. Moreover, professional development is paramount to knowledge about technology. All too often, there are too few professional developments to help educators learn about these significant technologies. In fact, I have seen a perfectly good Smart-board go completely to waste because teachers were clueless on how to use it. This is very sad and should be prevented at all costs.
It is indeed very important to consider the goals need to be accomplished with new technology and doing careful research into alternative technology before deciding on which particular gadgets to invest in. I like the idea of having input from a wide range of professionals with very different perspectives in determining what are the technology needs of the school. If only the "it experts" determine what is best for the school. there there is a real possibility that what is acquired may not meet many needs.
Quite often, money can be save if older equipment is upgraded/refurbished, rather than being thrown out and totally replaced.
The " 10 Zens of technology Planing" are essential. A long term plan is essential in ensuring an effective management of technology and budgeting (Grants) to ensure that the money allotted is used wisely and productively. Step 8 Be wary of purchasing the latest technology is fundamental in ensuring that assets and resources are used to their potential to benefit students. rather than wasting money n consistently buying new products, people can update certain apps or specific resources and cut down their costs so that they can use them on other products.
Researching software solutions and utilizing trial runs on resources is also very helpful. It can ensure that time and money is not wasted on a resource that does not offer enough advantages in comparison to it's economic cost.
Multiple professional developments in reference to resources is also very important. Technology changes over the course of the years, therefore a teacher who has been working for several years will not be as computer savvy and familiar with new software as a new teacher would be. Professional development for technology resources will forever be essential.
Francesca Cordone
EDS 650
Summer 2017
This is a very informative article. I agree that schools should try to reach out and seek for grant opportunities.
Yenny Ho Wu (08/30/2017)
These are all great pointers on how to create a school based technology plan. If it weren't for this I wouldn't know where to begin.
Wow all great points. Establishing a committee that comprises of teachers in different areas/departments is one way to ensure the needs of all students will be of great importance and therefore a priority to all members of the committee. Also having long term and short term goals helps the committee to maintain its direction and objective. "The 10 Zens of Technology Planning" mentioned many useful ideas in ensuring the technology committee is meaningful and beneficial to the students and meets the desired goal. Recycling old computers is smart and helps to reduce cost which is also a major difficulty experienced my many school based committees.
Paloma EDSN 650
These are all great ideas on how to create a school based technology plan. If it weren't for these tips I wouldn't know were to begin.
I most appreciated the second prompt labeled "Conduct a Hardware and Instructional Needs Inventory" because many times we are unaware of the functionality of the technology and they end up breaking. In order to have a successful education filled with technology, we must list the condition and age and functionality of all pieces and keep them on record. This record will allow updates to be made when needed and keep a seamless happy classroom with technology for years to come.
I agree with the 10 zens of Technology Planning. I would add to it that schools must hire at least one Professional computer Technician. Many times schools try their best to follow these instructions, however they lack the root of having someone who really is knowledgeable and educated in the field.
I agree with 10 zens of technology.This planning is very useful and should be important for new technology. All educators and staff should be trained the right way, so students can learn better at technology.
I thought this article was very interesting. The ten Zens of technology really gave me a better understanding of how technology that is supposedly old, can still be valuable and useful. How just because something is bought new, doesn't mean it works better. The article gives interesting suggestions toward planning for technology. Also how Grants are very important in getting new technology in the school system. How developing long term plans in 3-5 years to keep up with whats going on in the technology world. All in All, i thought it was an interesting article.
I thought that the 10 step strategy designed to ease the implementation of technology into the classroom was very well thought out. Developing a committee of plugged in teachers all committed to getting the most out of technology is essential to the growth and efficiency of tech in the classroom.
Additionally,setting short and long term goals for any project is always key to establishing success for whatever program you're apart of.
Ultimately, I would look to these steps for success if I were ever placed in a position to plan out technology/any subject in my school or profession.
-James
I think this article is very informative. For me I would not know where to start. I am 100% agreeing with #1 "establish a committee. This would mean a lot of help for me and also others who would have the same problems as me. with different members in the committee, comes with different ideas and thoughts. with each contributing their ideas comes success. Overall the ten points are food for though and should be kept in mind.
Using older technology as a writing center is also very important. Instead of tossing out old computers, teachers should put these a side for students to access. students can use these to do research, reports etc.
We have technology committee in our school. I definitively involved with the committee.
I am sure they plan their work according to 10 zens mentioned in the article.
Of course they listen to our advises, even tough they are trying to help us and students .
Boris Balan 10/17/17
Shauna Desouza.
Very important article. using a committee would be helpful for me, mostly because I am not too verse on technology. also using a committee comes with different ideas and skills.
Using the old computers as writing aids in a writing center is useful. this would end the tossing of things that are still in use. Students can use these for their research, and also to do reports and class work.
Great article. The key aspects that really stood out to me that I might not have focused on were the short term goals, with steps/timeline to achieving them and having people from all departments give input in the planning process. Obviously each subject area will have different technology needs, so it is important to have an idea of the big picture going into the planning.
When I was in high school a friend of mine set up a program for his Eagle Scout Project the repurpose technology. The school and community gave old hardware to him and we repurposed it to donate somewhere else I think, or safely disposed of it if it was beyond repair.
Great Post. I especially connected to the tip of not being blinded by shiny, newer technologies. For many years, my school has been purchasing Smartboards and or Smart technologies. However, we never really did research or ventured ot to see what other products were available. Two years ago, we purchased 10 of the newset version of th Smartboards and they had many glitches and bugs attached to them. Not to mention, purchasing the yearlin product keys and subscriptions is a costly investment. We waited a year and some months before making more IWB purchases and ended up getting Promethean boards (which are cheaper, more durable, bigger, and have all the same features and more!).
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