Running Head: Technology Improvement Plan

Technology Improvement Plan

Aubrey Zugibe

University of Phoenix
Technology Improvement Plan

Technology Improvement Plan

Mission Statement
The purpose of this comprehensive technology improvement plan is to develop the technological
literacy skills of students and staff across all domains for learning. Teachers can begin
transforming their instruction using the SAMR model of technology, which suggests the
following progression: substituting, augmenting, modifying and redefining tasks. This model
helps us to evaluate the efficacy of newly implemented technology. In time, teachers and
students should progress from using technology as a substitution to traditional assignments to
redefining the learning process altogether.

Hardware: Document Camera

● Estimated Cost: $400-$500 each
● Value to Curriculum: Document cameras enable teachers to project documents, books or
objects onto a screen for the entire class to view. This enables students to follow along on
their personal copies of the document in order to annotate, read along with or go over the
work. Modeling in this way is an essential part of the educational process and adds value
across curricula. For example, in math and science classes, teachers can use document
cameras to present word problems and solve equations efficiently. A document camera
can also be used to show students where an error is located in a paper document so they
can fix it easily on their own copies.
● Possible Drawbacks:
○ High Cost
○ Teachers could use these to replace direct projection instead of supplementing
○ Requires training to take advantage of the full scope of features included
● Assessment Strategies: To assess the use of document cameras for learning, teachers can
use the document camera to review directions of an activity with one section of a class,
and only verbally give directions to another class. By comparing the tallies of how many
times students ask for clarification or make errors related to following the instructions,
we can measure the efficacy of having a visual presentation of the document.
Additionally, we can survey teachers to see how often they use doc cameras and for
which purposes/features.

Software: Explore Learning

● Estimate Cost: Variable; as low as $4.75 per student; click here for specific pricing
information
● Value to Curriculum: Explore Learning’s Gizmos are interactive online simulations for
students across grade levels and subject areas. They’re virtual, inquiry-based experiments
with manipulations that may not be possible in the classroom setting. For example,
students can manipulate variables involved in plant growth and conduct a full experiment
that would otherwise take weeks to complete. The inquiry-based nature of Gizmos teaches
students problem-solving skills and are tied to education standards. Gizmos include
student exploration documents for additional guidance, teacher guides, answer keys,
formative assessments for each exploration.
● Possible Drawbacks:
○ Costly
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○ Teachers may misuse these explorations and use them as substitutions for hands-on
activities
○ Targets mainly math, science and STEM subjects; limited use for other areas
● Assessment Strategies: In order to assess the efficacy of Gizmos, teachers can compare
assessment scores after using Gizmos vs. using traditional learning activities which target
the same objective. If Gizmos are being used effectively, scores should increase. To see if
individual Gizmos are effective, teachers can simply use the embedded formative
assessment questions within each Gizmo to see if students are meeting lesson objectives.

Portable Devices: Chromebooks

● Estimated Cost: approx. $169-200 per device; approx. $400 per charging cart (30 devices)
● Value to the Curriculum: Chromebooks can be used by students across grade levels and
subject areas to digitize learning. Students can use chromebooks to develop research,
word-processing, and presentation skills along with many others. By using portable
devices, students gain access to an endless supply of information to reinforce learning. For
example, students can access lecture materials to study and review on their own devices.
They can also use the devices to collaborate with peers in a project-based learning setting.
Through student access to chromebooks, teachers can supplement, augment, modify and
redefine learning tasks in order to teach technology skills students will need in a modern,
digital society.
● Possible Drawbacks:
○ No local file storage
○ Cannot download software/files
○ Relies on internet connection
○ Do not contain disc drives
○ Complicated procedures for peripheral devices (Ex: cloud-based printing)
○ Incompatible with certain web-based software
● Management Strategies:
○ Housing chromebooks in charging carts in each classroom
○ Implementing check-out procedures for student-device use
○ Monitoring and blocking inappropriate and irrelevant network content
○ Utilizing device management software
● Assessment Strategies: To assess effective use of chromebooks, teachers can track the
websites students are frequenting. If students are spending most of their computer time
using chromebooks for educational purposes, the use is effective. If students are largely
using chromebooks for inappropriate tasks such as non-academic gaming, or if they are
not using them at all, it’s an ineffective implementation of technology.
● Safety Concerns: There are always concerns using portable devices in schools. For
example, it’s impossible for network management tools to block every website irrelevant
to education. Students could also potentially circumvent school website restrictions in
order to access blocked content. Although it’s less likely, chromebooks can get viruses
like any other computer if students aren’t careful. Another concern loaning students
portable devices is the possibility of them being damaged or stolen (ex: chemicals spilled
on computers in lab settings).

Cloud-Based Computing: G Suite for Education

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● Estimated Cost: Free (upgrade to G Suite Enterprise for Education for additional features
and fees)
● Commercialware/Freeware
● Value to the Curriculum: G Suite for Education enhances traditional curricula by giving
students access to a collection of web-based applications. Students can use apps like Docs,
Slides and Sheets to learn computational and collaboration skills necessary for succeeding
in modern society. The apps allow for authentic learning through the creation of projects
(presentations, posters, videos, graphics, etc.). For example, students can use Docs and
Sheets together to perform a lab investigation, collect and aggregate data and write a
formal lab report. Students can access their documents from anywhere that they have
internet connection, which allows for learning to continue beyond the classroom. Every
subject area can benefit from the apps offered in G Suite for Education.
● Drawbacks:
○ Relies on internet connection for optimal use
○ Limited tools compared to Microsoft products
○ Need to upload locally stored files for everything to be in the same place
● Assessment Strategies: The effectiveness of G Suite for Education can be evaluated by
measuring students' efficiency in creating deliverables such as documents, presentations,
etc. Students can be given tasks to test their skill levels using tools in the apps included in
the suite. These skills assessments can be modeled after the Google Certified Educator
exams and modified to a student level. For example, in the certification exams participants
are required to do 12 application tasks. One task may be to add filters to a sample
spreadsheet, sort it, hide data and create a chart. To assess student use of the suite, they
could complete an exam with fewer, simplified tasks. In order to test the efficacy of G
Suite for Education in regards to content-specific learning, performance can be compared
among students who are users and students who are non-users.
● Safety Concerns:
○ Potential student data leaks
○ Students can delete each other’s work when collaborating on a document.
○ Students can set permission wrong and allow anyone with a link to access their
content.

Technology Workshop: G Suite for Education Overview

● Estimated Cost: free; School E-coach can present to staff during a teacher PD day/work
hours
● Value to the Curriculum: Learning the basic tools and functions of each G Suite for
Education apps is essential for staff members in order to relay content to students. During
this session, basic skills can be taught for teachers to use Google Drive, Docs, Classroom,
Forms, Sheets and Slides. In order to keep the training within work hours, additional
resources will be provided for staff on the district’s Blackboard Technology page for staff
to access. In addition to basic uses of tools in major apps, the training will include ideas
for how teachers can authentically incorporate G Suite for Education in their curricula.
Sample lessons/projects for different subject areas will be demonstrated.

● Assessment Strategies: In order to assess the effectiveness of the workshop, administrators

can conduct walkthroughs to observe how teachers are using G Suite for Education in
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their instruction. If they are not utilizing Google Classroom for organizing assignments,
are only using a limited selection of available apps, or are simply not using the Suite at all,
more training may be needed.

Sharing of Best Practices

Once the technology improvement plan is implemented, teachers and staff will share best
practices during their monthly department meetings. Each month 2-3 faculty in each department
(depending on department size) will share a 10-15 minute presentation of best technology
practices with their departments. Presentations may or may not be content-specific; they should
be based on technology use. For example, if a teacher discovers a new quiz creation platform,
he/she can show how it works and explain how they’ve embedded it into his/her instruction.

Resource Sharing Venue for Staff

Technology resources can be found in two main locations. District-wide resources are found on
the Technology Page on Blackboard using your district login credentials. These resources are
created by the instructional technology department at the board of education. Documents used in
professional development sessions are also housed here for quick reference.

Additionally, you will have access to a Google shared drive to upload and access technology
resources shared by staff within your school. Materials used for staff presentations of technology
best practices are also to be uploaded to this drive.

Schedule for Computer Maintenance and Back-up Procedures

Maintenance procedures and updates will be pushed out to school computers over the network
during non-school/work hours and include:
Daily Procedures: virus & malware scans
Weekly Procedures: OS updates; software updates such as plugins (java, flash, etc.)
Quarterly Procedures: school systems, important file and record back-ups to secondary
location
As Needed: administrative, security, and performance updates
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References

Advantages & Disadvantages Of A Document Camera. (1970, January 01). Retrieved July 05,
2020, from http://sycellphone.blogspot.com/2013/06/advantages-disadvantages-of-
document.html

Flynt, J. (2019, November 29). What are the Pros and Cons of using a Chromebook? Retrieved
July 05, 2020, from https://3dinsider.com/chromebook-pros-and-cons/

Johnson, D. (2012). Classroom Teacher's Technology Survival Guide. San Francisco, CA:
Wiley.