MCCSC Ongoing Technology Plan

Appendices:

[This section will report status of activities and assigned tasks.]

Appendix 1 : Organization

1.1 The MCCSC will achieve a committment to technology by the senior levels of management.

1.1.1 The MCCSC will install and have operable a wide area telecommunications and electronic mail infrastructure, based on high-speed serial links, and connected to local area networks which will allow information to be shared within buildings, within the corporation, and across the Internet to the community and the world.
• Provide and support sufficient electronics at the central distribution point to provide an Internet connection and to manage and provide data links to all buildings.
• Provide and support sufficient electronics in each building (including the administration center) to handle incoming and outgoing data links.
  • Install and have operable the Internet and electronic mail WAN infrastructure in the Administration Center.
  • Install the WAN infrastructure at BHSN, BHSS, Templeton, University and Binford elementaries, Tri-North and Batchelor middle schools.
  • Install the WAN infrastructure in at least two additional instructional sites each year.
Action Plan: Appendix 6 -- Technology Selection

1.1.2 Each building in the MCCSC will have a local area network connected to the MCCSC wide area network. Strategic connection points will be media centers and libraries, academic areas, and counseling and administrative centers and offices.

• Provide and support at each strategic distribution/connection point appropriate electronics capable of Internet, World Wide Web, and e-mail service.
  • Each classroom and work area will be provided with a computer connected to the network .
  • Each instructional building will have at least one computer lab connected to the network.
  • Each workspace or classroom with a single workstation will be provided with a local printer, either ink jet or laser, depending upon function.
Action Plan: Appendix 6 -- Technology Selection

1.1.3 Administrators will model best practices of technology.

• Technology-in-process will be used in efficient, effective, and non-redundant ways.
• Commit to moving from paper to electronic management.
• The standard technology will be available and used by every administrator and assistant.
  • E-mail will be used for appropriate communications.
  • Applications (word processing, databases, spreadsheets) are used as appropriate.
  • Special applications (for extra-curricular activities, business management, etc.) will be appropriately available and used.
  • Technical support will be available on site and on call.
Action Plan: Appendix 6 -- Technology Selection

1.1.4 The MCCSC will consult with appropriate Indiana University departments and personnel to learn from their experience in addressing these issues.

1.2 The MCCSC will clearly articulate committment to technology integration into the curriculum of the entire corporation.
Action Plan: Appendix 4 -- Curriculum/Technology Integration

1.2.1 The MCCSC will recruit and hire employees who have technical experiences and are committed to integration of technology into the curriculum.

1.2.2 Teachers, staff, media center personnel, and support staff assistants need to be trained.

• Training will be ongoing and reinforced with follow-up and expansion.
Action Plan: Appendix 3 -- Professional Development

1.2.3 Personnel must use computers and technology.

• The MCCSC will provide a computer, printer and telephone at every work area.
  • The MCCSC will investigate supplying "laptop" models to those certificated staff who are "early adopter" technology integrators.
  • The MCCSC will investigate funding arrangements for certificated staff to purchase their own technology (for "home offices") using group rates, interest-free loans, etc.
  • The MCCSC will investigate the solicitation of public financial support for this initiative.
  Action Plan: Appendix 2 -- Finance
• Staff use of the computer network for electronic attendance and grade recording could save 5-6 minutes each class period.
Action Plan: Appendix 6 -- Technology Selection

1.3.1 The MCCSC will develop information describing the use of technology within the curriculum.
• Include technology stories in News and Notes, in building-level and PTA/O newsletters, and in online World Wide Web pages through HoosierNet and/or building/ corporation web sites.

1.3.2 The MCCSC will advertise technology success stories as examples when dealing with the media. [The Organization team felt this was the third quickest, most fun objective.]
Status: "Technology Success Stories" being collected by computer coordinators.

1.3.3 The MCCSC will convince local businesses and organizations to give presentations/ demonstrations of their use of technology to teacher, student and parent groups. [The Organization team felt this would be the quickest, most fun objective.]

• Connect with parent expertise, resources at the Chamber of Commerce and CALL, Biogen, Agency for Instructional Technology, TIS, Inc., and the School-to-Career Committee.

1.3.4 The MCCSC will work with and encourage organizations such as Parent-Teacher associations and organizations to include technology assessment and readiness in their activity cycles.

1.3.5 The MCCSC will institute a community barometer -- a method of assessing the success of technology integration in Bloomington-Monroe County with similar communities.

• The MCCSC will collaborate with the Indiana University School of Education Center for Excellence in Education to develop a community technology barometer.

1.3.6 The MCCSC will open the use of corporation technology to the rest of the community. [The Organization team felt this was the second quickest, most fun objective.]


The community could participate in very basic classes taught in the schools to demystify technology.
Status: Schools have been asked to look into planning "Technology Open Houses" once or twice a month.

Appendix 2 : Finance

It is extremely difficult for the Finance team to develop action tasks without having an idea of the extent of the directions being proposed and developed by each of the other teams. While it is probably safe to assume that these needs will exceed the resources of the MCCSC as they are currently structured, it may also be possible to restructure both the financial resources and the needs to bring each into congruence.

2.1 The MCCSC will assure the necessary financial resources are made available in an equitable manner, on an ongoing basis, to support teaching and lifelong learning.

2.1.1 The MCCSC will incorporate financing for technology in the MCCSC Capital Projects Fund.
Ongoing --
• Per-pupil allocations to buildings: January 1988
  
  • Technology funding in remodeling/new construction budgets.
  • PP$ from remodeled/new construction allocated to CPF pool.
• Technical support funding: January 1995, January 1996.
  
• Technology supplements for BA, TN, BN: January 1997.
  
• Technology supplements for elementary schools: January 1998.
  



2.1.2 The MCCSC will evaluate the advisability of a technology fee or tax increase to support technology.

2.1.3 The MCCSC will investigate and evaluate additional funding or acquisition opportunities, including, but not limited to:

• the Community Reinvestment Act
• building our own technology
• school-business partnerships
• leased equipment and services

2.1.4 The MCCSC will include responsibility for writing state/federal grants and for solicitation of funds from businesses and the community in job descriptions for appropriate positions.

• The MCCSC will solicit community assistance in finding and applying for grants.
• The MCCSC will solicit business and community organizations to create awareness of the MCCSC's plans for technology and the need for funds for technology.
  • The MCCSC will investigate using the publications of the Chamber of Commerce to communicate and create community awareness.
• The MCCSC will acknowledge contributions and assistance in an appropriate manner.

2.2 The MCCSC will support efforts of community-, corporation- and school-based support groups -- such as, but not limited to, the Bloomington Foundatation, the MCCSC Foundation, Parent-Teacher associations and organizations, Panthers for Better Ed ucation, and Cougars for Better Education -- toward increased funding for educational efforts, including creation of fund-raising and grant-writing positions and financial support for equipment purchases.

• Investigate award/reward systems for presentation/participation in professional development activities.

Appendix 3 : Professional Development

3.1 Professional development will integrate emerging technologies, going beyond computing to encompass the full range of technologies, creating a foundation for a new paradigm of education.

3.1.1 Identify staff and faculty development needs and strengths.
• Provide opportunities to visit technology sites within the MCCSC and in other locations.
• Assess levels of technology competence.
• Assess areas of interest.
• Determine how staff and faculty wish to learn about technology.
Completed: Skills / Interests / Needs Assessment: May 1996

3.1.2 Identify areas where technology can fit into existing curriculum or provide opportunities to enhance curriculum.
Action Plan: Apendix 4 -- Curriculum/Technology Integration

Secure building-level input into the content of professional development activities which reflect the priorities of the school environment and staff.

3.2 Professional development will be planned, ongoing and comprehensive.

3.2.1 Introduce new ideas.

3.2.2 Follow with activities and individual consultation.

3.3 Professional development will be an active process, acquiring, upgrading or abandoning knowledge, attitudes and skills.

3.3.1 Professional development will combine theory, demonstration, practice, feedback and coaching.

3.3.2 Where applicable, professional development activities will include both teachers and students to increase opportunities for integration and application of new skills, knowledge and attitudes.

3.3.3 Introduce technology into the curriculum through the context of the particular subject or theme.

• Work through members of departments or subject areas to develop and provide the workshops or activities.
• Create subject area "technology experts" who teach the "technology interested."

3.4 Professional development will enhance the redefinition of new learning environments, extending learning through distance, time and medium.

3.4.1 Provide professional development opportunities which use technology to address learning styles, time, and content restrictions, including, but not limited to:
• video tape
• audio tape
• computer-based instruction
• paper-based modules
• books
• periodicals
• newsletters
• journals
• two-way interactive video teleconferencing

3.4.2 Structure professional development within current practices and formats.

• One-half of activities within the school day.
• Costs and substitutes funded by grants to the buildings by the MCCSC.
  • Examine relationship between technology professional development and access to building-level professional development funds and opportunities.
  Completed: All professional development funding is controlled by buildings.

3.4.3 Investigate award/reward systems for presentation/participation in professional development activities.
Action Plan: Appendix 2 -- Finance

3.5 The MCCSC will establish minimum technology literacy guidelines for faculty and staff.

3.5.1 An MCCSC committee of employees will prepare suggested standards for tool, curriculum, and research competencies.
Completed: Skills / Interests / Needs Assessment: May 1996

3.5.2 Each building will use these suggestions to establish standards which reflect the technology priorities of the building and staff.

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