"School technologists must work closely with educators to create and support modern learning facilities. This including providing access to modern computers for teaching and learning" (Williamson and Redish, 2009, p. 148). I believe that getting computers in the classroom is the first step in technology. From there you can add high speed internet and a multitiude of other technology devices.
However, there are several steps that are recommended to provide students with the technology they need. To me, the first stage would be the most important: planning. The planning includes the biggest hurdle, in my opinion, the budgeting for technology. If money was not a factor, then all schools would have the latest technology. I have never thought about how much goes into planning sufficient technology for a school. Typically I have just thought of the one time cost of a product but not upkeep, upgrades, professional development, and infrastructure. According to the Texas Education Agency (2006, p. 107), you should allow 30% of your technology budget to go towards professional development. That seems like a large portion to me. I know that my district only trains a few people and then has them train everyone else. This seems like a great money saver, but not so great on time. Having a few people train many people crunches your time limit and may not fully prepare the educators on the technology. I would like to question my Instructional Technology Administrator further to see exaclty how much of our technology budget goes to professional development and who exactly is allowed to use this money.After completing the planning phase, you must begin to acquire the technologies and services you are looking for. Since I am a technology teacher, I have my own budget for my classroom and its needs. I do my best to shop around for the best prices, but am limited to certain companies. To complete my transaction, I just have to get department approval. "For large scale purchases, they are often subject to more stringent policies" (Williamson, 2009, p. 158).
Implementing the new technology is the next step after the products and services are delivered. There must be a timeline attached to this technology. Having a timeline will help you achieve your goal.
Lastly, providing maintenance and support is the last step of implementing technology. Our district is lucky to have a team of workers who are quick to answer our calls of help when needed. At a district I taught at previously, there was one lone person who took on the entire district. That means that the one technology teacher also had to help everyone. That person was me. Having to aid others cut into my teaching and personal time which I did not agree with. If you are going to get the latest in technology, you need to be able to back it all up. "Take care of your computers. If you neglect them, they will end up costing you more money over time. A strategy that includes preventive budgeting and maintenance will help to ensure the success of your computer systems and your organization" (Kenyon, 2000, para. 12).
Kenyon, J. (7 August 2000). Technology Budgeting Basics. Retrieved from http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/techplan/archives/page9806.cfm
Texas Education Agency. (2006). Long range plan for technology 2006-2020. Retrieved from http://www.tea.state.tx.us/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=2147494562
Williamson, J. and Redish, T. (2009). ISTE's technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.
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