Unity School District Technology Plan 2011-2016

By:

Tiffany Warner & Kimberly Carter

Acknowledgement of Resources

We would like to extend acknowledgement to the ISTE Standards for teachers, administrators, and students and Beaufort County School District’s Technology Plan and South Carolina Department of Education for their formatting and excellent ideas that helped to shape our project. The BCSD Technology Plan deserves special recognition for it’s solid construction and the contributions that it made to this project. The ISTE NETS also contributed tremendously. Tiffany Warner’s project for EDUC 629 (Technology Implementation Plan) was referenced and some objectives, the mission statement and the vision statement were used.

District Profile -Used BCSD profile -Helped to shape mission and vision -Driving force behind the plan

Based off of the District Profile (BCSD, 2009), the following populations were identified as populations with extensive needs for academic improvement: •Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Students •Poverty Students

The following areas were identified as areas needing improvement because of lack of current adequate progress (Warner, 2011): •Innovative Uses of Technology •Use Technology as a Communication Tool and Collaboration Medium for Education •Research Proficiency •Inquiry-Based Skills •Responsible Digital Use •Technology Basics •Integration of Technology into the Classroom for Instructional and Educational Purposes •Hardware and Software Selection •Professional Development

Needs Analysis

Mission The mission of the Unity School District is to… •student-focused education •new ways of instruction and learning and incorporate collaboration and communication opportunities •drive and reinforce the professional development •communication with the stakeholders •prepare the students to be proficient and productive citizens of the technology age • make the school more efficient and effective •make the administrators and teachers better managers of their resources

Vision Unity Schools’ Technology Team has developed the following vision statement to guide its work in creating a five-year strategic plan for technology implementation: As described in the overall mission of the Unity School District, the sole purpose of education is to prepare students to be productive and proficient citizens of the digital age. It is believed that technology is an essential tool for learning that expands our instructional resources and is the vehicle that maximizes the productivity of all teachers and learners. It is the vision of Unity School District that students be engaged in a student centered, inquiry-based learning environment that provides stimulating activities that incorporate technology and supports a rigorous curriculum in all grade levels.

Vision Specifically, we envision that technology is made available, professional development is given and all students and staff receive the technological support they need: •To provide global access to information •To meet the academic needs of the students •To provide access to resources that support the general curriculum •To refine critical thinking skills and foster creativity through innovative use •To provide a medium for student expression and academic communication •To collect, assess, and share performance data with members of the learning community •To improve the efficiency of academic tasks and administrative tasks •To provide skills and proficiencies necessary for the workforce •To improve communication with the community about the schools comprising Unity School District

It is our intention that this vision will remain constant over the course of our plan and that it will serve as a reference of the expectations of Unity School District in the day-to-day and year-to-year implementation of technology (Warner, 2011).

SC Standards Proviso 1.40 (SDE: Teacher Recertification—Technology)

To ensure the effective and efficient use of the funding provided by the General Assembly in Part IA, Section 1 X.C. for school technology in the classroom and Internet access, the State Department of Education shall approve teacher technology competency standards required by local school districts as part of the Teacher Professional Development Plan. Approval of these teacher competency standards by the Department shall be a prerequisite for expenditure of district technology funds. Teachers must demonstrate proficiency in these standards and be validated by the school district (SCDOE, 2003).

Formal Assessment and Evaluation Tools Districts were given freedom to choose how they would evaluate the proficiency. Unity School District has decided upon the following: •Formal Assessment •Lesson Plans •Artifacts and Lesson Plans •

•Ongoing Assessment (Evaluation Tools) •

•Observations •Informal assessments •Lesson Plans

Learners and Their Environment Current Implementation

USD Goal 1: Unity School Districts will strive to create technology rich learning experiences that integrate naturally with the curriculum standards, exercise innovation and collaboration, and to advance student learning and achievement in traditional and virtual learning environments. •Interactive whiteboards •Surround sounds •Document cameras •Student voting systems •United streaming •Technology coaches •Over half of schools are already fully wireless •Each objective is a synthesis of ISTE standards for teachers, students and administrators, SCDOE objectives, BCSD objectives and the authors’ experiences and knowledge

USD Goal 1: Unity School Districts will strive to create technology rich learning experiences that integrate naturally with the curriculum standards, exercise innovation and collaboration, and to advance student learning and achievement in traditional and virtual learning environments. •Focus on… 1. Obtaining collaboration and communication skills (ISTE, 2007) 2. Produce original and innovative works (ISTE, 2007) 3. Increase student achievement 4. Students gain basic technology proficiency (ISTE, 2007) 5. Use blogs, assistive technology, mobile technology, etc. (BCSD, 2009) 6. Security and ethical use of technology (BCSD, 2009, and ISTE, 2007) 7. Shape healthy attitudes towards technology (ISTE, 2007)

Each objective is a synthesis of ISTE standards for teachers, students and

administrators, SCDOE objectives, BCSD objectives and the authors’ experiences and knowledge

Learners and Their Environment Projected Implementation

No Child Left Behind Act is challenging schools by increasing expectations for student achievement (BCSD, 2009). The following is a series of steps that USD hopes to take to closing the gap that exists currently in student achievement: •Having summer institute •Having monthly department meetings by grade level •Have IT department create databases that teachers can search for resources and tools •Providing professional development for teachers on differentiating technology instruction. •Before school and after school hours for computer lab usage •Additional access at local libraries, community centers, and churches •Variety of software will be available in labs, classrooms and laptops •Collaboration will be done on projects via Google Docs and email •Elluminate •Create blogs •Create an e-portfolio that they will continually contribute to from grade

Technology Integration and Professional Development Current Implementation

USD Goal 2: Unity School District will provide curriculum and professional development to increase the competency of all Unity County Educators so that research-proven strategies and the effective integration of technology systems can be used to increase student achievement. •Shared Technology Coaches •On-going professional development •South Carolina Online Professional Development •Summer Institute •Outside Technology Training & Conferences

Each objective is a synthesis of ISTE standards for teachers, students and administrators, SCDOE objectives, BCSD objectives and the authors’ experiences and knowledge

USD Goal 2: Unity School District will provide curriculum and professional development to increase the competency of all Unity County Educators so that research-proven strategies and the effective integration of technology systems can be used to increase student achievement. Focus on… 1. “Expert” teachers as trainers 2. Variety of training opportunities 3. Differentiation of training 4. Role of Technology Coach (BCSD, 2009) 5. Collaborative district technology plan (BCSD, 2009) 6. Utilize best practices 7. Teacher Technology Proficiency (BCSD, 2009 and ISTE, 2008) 8. Use of e-Portfolios (South Carolina Technology Proficiency System)

(BCSD, 2009)

* Each objective is a synthesis of ISTE standards for teachers, students and administrators, SCDOE objectives, BCSD objectives and the authors’ experiences and knowledge

Technology Integration and Professional Development Projected Implementation

UCD technology training must focus on the following areas of emphasis:

• Recruiting and training USD teacher technology “experts” • Offering synchronous and asynchronous training • Implementing monthly training

• Each school site • Grade level and/or curriculum level • My Learning Plan

• Revising Technology Coach Role • Implementing in-class instruction • Offering daily individualized training • Procuring additional technology tools for training

• Developing a collaborative district technology plan • Implementing school, teacher, and student use of e-Portfolios (South Carolina

Technology Proficiency System) • Designing activities for engagement and facilitated learning • Pursue PD offerings outside the school district’s offerings

Improving Instruction Through Technology Integration Current Implementation

USD Goal 3: Unity School District will use current and emerging technology to create learner-centered instructional environments that enhance academic achievement. • IT department supports technology integration • Technology Coaches offer training • District laptops provided for all teachers • Student to computer ratio reduced to 3:1 • Educational software offered via district network • Variety of technology tools purchased for classroom use • PowerSchool used by all teachers for record-keeping

Each objective is a synthesis of ISTE standards for teachers, students and administrators, SCDOE objectives, BCSD objectives and the authors’ experiences and knowledge

USD Goal 3: Unity School District will use current and emerging technology to create learner-centered instructional environments that enhance academic achievement. •Focus on… • Quality IT Staff (ISTE, 2009) • Variety of training opportunities • Current training needs of teachers • Student off hours access to district resources (BCSD, 2009) • Problem-based learning (Conklin, 2007)

Each objective is a synthesis of ISTE standards for teachers, students and administrators, SCDOE objectives, BCSD objectives and the authors’ experiences and knowledge

Improving Instruction Through Technology Integration Projected Implementation

•South Carolina Achievement Standards (SCDOE, 2003) •Applications to simplify teaching, assessment, and organization. •Various training and professional development opportunities •Off-campus access (BCSD, 2009) •Additional study •Improve student research and research practices (ISTE, 2007) •Strategies and legal use (ISTE, 2007) •Lifelong learners (ISTE, 2007). •Relationships with local agencies (BCSD, 2009) •Online learning •Authentic problems and innovative thinking (ISTE, 2007)

Including All Stakeholders in the Educational Process Current Implementation

USD Goal 4: Unity School Districts administrative and teaching staff will utilize technology (websites and district email) to build partnerships with community members and organizations to promote learning opportunities, secure supplementary financial support, and to foster expansion of interested parties’ participation in educational opportunities. •USD provides regular communication •USD strives to keep stakeholders informed •Large segment of the community (businesses and volunteer) who could assist the district •District website is revised daily •No plan can be achieved alone (Picciano, 2011).

Each objective is a synthesis of ISTE standards for teachers, students and administrators, SCDOE objectives, BCSD objectives and the authors’ experiences and knowledge

USD Goal 4: Unity School Districts administrative and teaching staff will utilize technology (websites and district email) to build partnerships with community members and organizations to promote learning opportunities, secure supplementary financial support, and to foster expansion of interested parties’ participation in educational opportunities. Focus on… 1. Partnerships in the community (BCSD, 2009) 2. Partnerships with colleges and universities in the state (BCSD, 2009) 3. Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders (Picciano, 2011) 4. Use technology as a communication medium (BCSD, 2009)

Each objective is a synthesis of ISTE standards for teachers, students and administrators, SCDOE objectives, BCSD objectives and the authors’ experiences and knowledge

Including All Stakeholders in the Educational Process Projected Implementation

•Fulfillment of a school’s vision or mission (Hall, 2008) •Resources have not all been utilized (BCSD, 2009) •Mandated that schools create School Improvement Committees (BCSD, 2009) •Overall educational experience for all parties •Create safe online collaborations with the community (ISTE, 2007) •Try these practices locally first (Hall, 2008) •PD •Community partnerships (BCSD, 2009) •Aids in understanding of expectations •Increasing number of resources offered (BCSD, 2009) •Increase in the frequency of website updates

•Email lists

Research, Legal and Supportive Technology Currently Implementation

USD Goal 5: USD will ensure that teachers are provided the resources necessary to integrate technology effectively into the current SC state curriculum. Technology is critical to the education of students today. •Support for all staff to ensure its most effective use •Coaches and IT support has been hired to aid in the implementation and maintenance •Whiteboards and teachers have been issued personal laptops •Great deal of work to be done. Already present in the district: •Laptop replacement cycle of every three years (BCSD, 2009) •Desktop replacement cycle of every five years. (Desktops may be replaced in parts, but total replacement will not exceed five years) •Increased number of IT personnel to aid in implementation of technology in schools •Installing of wireless Internet access to more than half of the district’s school •Requirement of 30 hours of technology training each year

Each objective is a synthesis of ISTE standards for teachers, students and administrators, SCDOE objectives, BCSD objectives and the authors’ experiences and knowledge

USD Goal 5: USD will ensure that teachers are provided the resources necessary to integrate technology effectively into the current SC state curriculum. Focus on… 1. New sub-department of IT for maintenance and support (BCSD, 2009) 2. Qualified employees (ISTE, 2009) 3. Dependable infrastructure (BCSD, 2009; ISTE, 2009; and Picciano, 2011)

Each objective is a synthesis of ISTE standards for teachers, students and administrators, SCDOE objectives, BCSD objectives and the authors’ experiences and knowledge

Research, Legal and Supportive Technology Projected Implementation

•Safety is the highest priority •24/7 support •Job specific training •Sub-department (BCSD, 2009) •1 Tb Hard drives •Decrease risk of loss data (BCSD, 2009) •Committee to evaluate progress •Minimal impact on instruction due to technical complications

Summary •Significant progress •Have a long way to go •Improved student learning environment •Implementing technology in ways to increase achievement •Integrating technology strategies learned in PD •Developing new offices and evaluating personnel •Increase USD’s students and teachers access to resources •Need support of the stakeholders •Increase community relationships and cooperation •High hopes for improvement •Evaluation of all objectives •Responsible parties identified

Resources

American Psychological Association (APA). (2011). Education and socioeconomic status. Retrieved from

http://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/factsheet-education.aspx.

Beaufort County School District. (2007). Beaufort County technology plan 2009-2013. Retrieved from

http://www.beaufort.k12.sc.us/userfiles/BCSD%20Technology%20Plan%202009%20v1%20072a.p df.

Conklin, W. (2007). Instructional strategies for diverse learners. California: Shell Educational

Publishing.

Hall, D. (2008). The technology director's guide to leadership. Washington D.C.: ISTE.

International Society for Technology in Education (2009). NETS for administrators. Retrieved from

http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-administrators/nets-for-administrators-sandards.aspx.

International Society for Technology in Education (2007). NETS for students. Retrieved from

http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students/nets-student-standards-2007.aspx.

International Society for Technology in Education (2008). NETS for teachers. Retrieved from

http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx.

Picciano, A. G. (2011). Educational leadership and planning for technology. 5th ed. New York, N.Y.:

Pearson.

South Carolina Department of Education. (2003). South Carolina technology plan 2003-2008: Realizing a dream. Retrieved from

http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/scedocs/Ed8332Tec/000265.pdf.

Thorsen, C. (2009). TechTactics: Technology for Teachers (3 ed.). Boston: Pearson

Warner, T. (2011). Warner county public schools educational technology plan 2011-2016. Unpublished document.

(Warner, T. document is Tiffany Warner’s Document she produced for Educ629 Tech Plan)