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The Watson AcademyTechnology Plan

2010-2011

LaWanda R. WatsonE7801 Instructional Technology Planning & Management

Dr. Regina MerriwetherArgosy University/Atlanta

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Mission & Vision Statements

Mission Statement Our mission is to provide competent and innovative instruction and to offer our students a culturally and technologically rich curriculum that will produce citizens who are prepared for life in a rapidly changing world.

Vision Statement Our vision is to build a community of lifelong learners that become responsible individuals, independent thinkers, and productive citizens.

http://www.voki.com/php/viewmessage/?chsm=8345a7e5455bada8014652ce7259a377&mId=592333

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Technology Vision Statement

We promise to provide tools, technology, instructional materials, facilities, time, and faculty and staff to support instruction, and to nurture talents and abilities for the students of the Watson Academy.

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Demographics854 students are presently enrolled72 certified/highly qualified teachers 8 paraprofessionals2 counselors2 assistant principals1 principal

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DemographicsGrades 6th-8th

48% Free and Reduced Lunch

50%

32%

12%

4% 2%

Watson Academy Student Population

CaucasianAfrican Amer-icanHispanicAsianOther

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Needs Assessment

Strengths*4 computer labs + 3 wireless mobile labs*65% = Teachers who are proficient in using in-house technology*Wireless connectivity*Media Cast, Compass Learning-Odyssey, Class Works, etc.*12 Digital cameras, 10 scanners, 5 class sets of student response system devices*20 SmartBoards + LCD projectors mounted in all classrooms*AUP documentation

Weaknesses*35% = Teachers who do not feel competent integrating technology in class*Computer labs are not being used on a weekly basis*Damaged equipment*FY2010-2011 budget reduction for the Watson Academy*Staff development funds do not address instructional technology training for faculty & staff

Opportunities*Partner in Education sponsors*GMSA Grants*Professional learning opportunities through PD360, RESA, & the State University of West GA*SPLOST was extended until 2014*Vertical teaming with feeder elementary & high schools

Threats*State budget cuts to education* Creation of a local charter school*Information security (viruses, filters, firewall, etc.)*Newer technology on the market*Limited parental and community support

SWOT

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Technology Initiative Description

The 21st century job market requires that students have technology skills along with their traditional curriculum content.

Technology offers teachers opportunities to create interactive and rich learning environments for their students.

Integration of these instructional tools requires student and teacher skills with a variety of technology.

Measures taken to integrate technology into instruction will be align to both the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) and the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS).

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Goal StatementsGoal 1: All students, teachers, and administrators will effectively use technology as an integrated tool for teaching, leading, and learning to master the Georgia Performance Standards and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards.

Goal 2: All students, teachers, and administrators will benefit from a broad range of educational opportunities and resources through the use of technology.

Goal 3: All students, teachers, and administrators will have access to the appropriate technology resources and infrastructure necessary to support teaching, leading, and learning.

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RationaleStudents, teachers, and administrators will utilize instructional technology resources to: Develop, enhance, and assess mastery of learned concepts, skills, and standards.

Build upon existing technology skills

Enhance the quality of instruction and finished products

Acquire and retain instruction through varied mediums

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ObjectivesMeasurable & Observable

Upgrade technology based on annual technology needs assessment

Faculty & staff as well as students will complete the technology needs assessment in May

All teachers are required to maintain/update class web pages (weekly)

Administration and grade level chairperson will monitor on a weekly basis

Lesson plans must indicate instructional technology used by teachers/students

Monitor weekly through submitted lesson plans and administrative awareness walks

Technology used for collection of student data for instructional planning & assessment

Online benchmarking & assessments, indication of targeted standards/domains remediation, & data profiles of students/classes

Provide training opportunities (face-to-face instruction & online training) resources for staff, students, and school community.

Professional learning units, staff development per school improvement plan, & formal/informal observation

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Hardware Software Facility Resources

•120 desktop computers within the 4 computer labs•3 mobile labs= 90 laptop computers• Each classroom teacher is assigned 4 laptop computers (288 total)• laptop computer issued to administrators (3 total)•Laptop computers issued to guidance counselor (2 total)•Support staff issued a laptop computer = 7 totalTotal of computers= 510•12 Digital cameras•10 scanners•5 class sets of student response system devices•20 SmartBoards •76 LCD projectors mounted in all classrooms•90 printers

•Learning Compass Odyssey•ClassWorks (Language Arts, Math, & Reading)•Accelerated Reader•NetTrekker•Parent Connect Portal, Pearson•Teacher Portal, Pearson•DESTINY•Microsoft Live & Office Suite•Media Cast•Blackboard Learning Management System•Moodle •School website•Teacher web pages•STAR Student•Discovery Education United Streaming•Galileo•Notify me (Text/Email alerts)

•Electrical has been updated at the Watson Academy to support future plans•Cisco Systems telephones in every classroom, media center, & office•Satellite•Closed circuit video networking•School district increased its bandwidth•Surveillance camera (campus wide)•Wireless Network•Graphing calculator•Voicemail

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Student Use of Technology

The Watson Academy follows the Children Internet Protection Act (CIPA):

Using DeepNine Internet filter to protect students from obtaining obscene materials

Chatroom/Instant messaging is blocked through filter

Adult supervision is required for students to use school technologies

Students are taught proper and ethical behavior using technology as stated in the GPS and NETS

All students and parents/guardians must complete and return the Watson Academy User Agreement Policy.

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Learn-About-Software-to-Monitor-Internet-Usage-Video

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Instructional Resource Requirements & Staff

Development PlanMuch of the staff development required to implement this technology plan will focus on specific student learning targets.

Goals Activity Timeline

Teachers will be able to apply tools for enhancing their own professional growth/productivity.

•Web 2.0 & professional networking•Technology to enhance lesson planning•Multimedia/Presentation software•Class web pages

In-house professional learning opportunities offered on September 19th & October 17th, 2010 (4-5 pm)

Teachers will apply technologies to support instruction their grade level and subject areas and create professional products.

•Uses for Datalink scanner and data reporting options (Excel)•Test Trax

Faculty training session facilitated by instructional technology specialist on November 14, 2010 (4-5 PM)

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Goals Activity Timeline

Teachers will be able to plan, explore, evaluate, and deliver instructional units that integrate a variety of technologies.

•Grade level/content area teachers will collaboratively work together to create an unit plan that integrates the use of technology.

Common planning periods on Wednesdays with the middle school instructional coaches from September 2010 through May 2011.

Teachers will plan activities to remediate and accelerate specific learning targets.

•In preparation for the Georgia Middle Grades Writing Assessment, teachers will develop technology based activities to supplement the writing process

Department Meeting on December 5, 2010 (4-5 PM) and in-house professional learning opportunity, facilitated by the English/Language Arts chairperson on December 12, 2010 (4-5 PM)

Teachers will integrate varied technology mediums to prepare for the CRCT.

•Computers, Internet•Online Assessment System•Microsoft Office Suite

Common planning periods on Wednesdays with the middle school instructional coaches from January to March 2011.

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Budget 2010-2011

Instructional Software Programs (3 programs-English/Language Arts, Mathematics, & Reading)

$2,500.07

Technology Staff Development/Professional Learning Opportunities

$5, 200.22

Digital Cameras (8) $ 822.10

Student Response Systems devices with 32 remotes(3 class sets)

$4,035.83

Total Dollars Amount $12,558.22

The Watson Academy was provided a technology budget of $ 12, 560.00 from the board of education for the 2010-2011 school year.

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Evaluation Plan & Timeline

Evaluation Process Timeline

Lesson plans integrating instructional technology

•August 2010-May 2011•Monitored on a weekly basis by designated administrators & grade level chairperson

Use of technology for student data collection (Benchmarking, student portfolios, electronic data notebooks, etc.)

•1st Semester (December 15, 2010)•2nd Semester (May 20, 2011)

Staff Development/Professional Learning Opportunities (Instructional Technology)

•October 17, 2010•November 14, 2010•December 5, 2010•December 12, 2010•January 9, 2011

Class web pages •August 2010-May 2011•Monitored on a weekly basis by designated administrator

Technology Needs Assessment •May 12, 2011•Faculty & staff participation

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ReferencesInternational Society for Technology in Education

(2008). NETS for Teachers. Eugene, OR: ISTE.

International Society for Technology in Education

(2007). NETS for students DRAFT 2007. Eugene,

OR: ISTE.