Somerset ISD Technology Plan Bobbi Prince, ET8019 Lamar University May 15, 2011 Bringing Learning into the Future

Somerset ISD Years approved by plan: Number of Campuses: 6 Student Enrollment: 3459 District Size: 3,000-4,999 Percentage Economically Disadvantaged: 80.75% Number of Classrooms with Direct Connection to Internet: 258 Wynkoop, Gloria. " Documents - sisdtx." sisdtx. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May < 88= &contextId.79788= &parentId.79788=

TECHNOLOGY BUDGETS BY CATEGORY Teaching and Learning Budget: $568, Educator Preparation and Development Budget: $65, Leadership, Administration and Support Budget: $214, Infrastructure for Technology Budget: $2,022, Total: $2,870, Wynkoop, Gloria. " Documents - sisdtx." sisdtx. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May < &contextId.79788= &parentId.79788=

Somerset ISD Existing Conditions *Fiber lease with AT&T and Time Warner Cable for Barrera and Savannah Heights*Fiber connection between main campuses *IMail Server Web Messaging*Voice Over – IP Telephony - Offices and classrooms *2-GIG Fiber Backbone*Cisco Wireless Network *Technology Online work order system*Maintenance Online work order system *Websense Internet Filtering Software*Central Command, Inc. Complete Virus Protection *Deep Freeze workstation protection*Windows Server Operating Software *Windows*Microsoft Office Suite *TxGradebook*MyTXZone *Inspiration/Kidspiration site licenses*Destination Math (Elementary and Junior High) site license *Rosetta Stone (High School and Junior High)*DeepFreeze Insight (High School and Junior High) *Online Human Resources Application System*Veritas Backup Exec. *Atrium Libraray Services Program*IPTV System (Video on Demand) *Pix Firewall*Barracuda Spam Filter *TxConnect Parent Portal*Bon Appetit (Food Services Software) *Nutri Kids (Food Services Software)*SerU FTP Software *Promethean Activboard Systems*Polycom VS4000 (1 per campus) *MCU*IEP Software *PDAS – Filemaker Pro*360 Walkthough *Eduphoria Aware*TimeClock Plus *Regional Service Center Computer Cooperative (RSCCC)Business/Personnel/SIS*C-Scope - Scope and Sequence *MySQL Database*Sybase Central Software *Sharpschool Web Hosting*Adobe Acrobat Professional *WebCCat*Discovery Education *BrainPop *Web Helpdesk Tech Support and Inventory Program *K12 Databases*DKC Databases *FitnessGram*West Tech District-Wide Security Camera System *Open Office*Learning.com Online 8th Grade Technology Assessment *Learning.com Technology Applications Adoption (K-8)*Booktracks Textbook Inventory Program *Written policies on acceptable use of the Internet, World Wide Web content, and network management Wynkoop, Gloria. " Documents - sisdtx." sisdtx. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May < 22&contextId.79788= &parentId.79788=

President Obama’s administration released the National Education Technology Plan (NETP) that suggests technology be used to change the way education is delivered in the country. “Called "Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology," the plan, "calls for applying the advanced technologies used in our daily personal and professional lives to our entire education system to improve student learning, accelerate and scale up the adoption of effective practices, and use data and information for continuous improvement” (Nagel, 2009).Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology The plan covers 5 areas: Learning Assessment Teaching Infrastructure Productivity Nagel, David. "National Ed Tech Plan Puts Technology at the Heart of Education Reform -- THE Journal." THE Journal: Technological Horizons in Education -- THE Journal. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May The National Educational Technology Plan

Learning NETP Goal: All learners will have engaging and empowering learning experiences both in and out of school that prepare them to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our globally networked society. Somerset ISD: Students have access to projectors and ActivBoards, ActiVote, Destination Math, Discovery Education, Graph Club, KidPix, Career Planet, network printers, scanners, digital cameras, laptop carts, Accelerated Reader program, video conference capability, ethernet-to-desktop connection, campus instructional technologists, computer labs, Ipods and Ipod touch for teachers completing training, annual technology showcase, distance learning through TAMUK and ACCD, video conference field trips “The challenge for our education system is to leverage technology to create relevant learning experiences that mirror students' daily lives and the reality of their futures” (NETP, 2010) "National Education Technology Plan 2010 | U.S. Department of Education." U.S. Department of Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May Wynkoop, Gloria. " Documents - sisdtx." sisdtx. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May < = &contextId.79788= &parentId.79788=

ASSESSMENT NETP Goals: Our education system at all levels will leverage the power of technology to measure what matters and use assessment data for continuous improvement. Somerset ISD: administration use of tablet PC and Apple I- Touch; web-based tools to customize, evaluate, disaggregate TAKS data; eSped and eRTI online applications; Accelerated Reader program; ActiVote system for Promethean ActivBoards; Tango Central assessment management for TPRI and CIRCLES assessments “ Most of the assessment done in schools today is after the fact and designed to indicate only whether students have learned. Little is done to assess students' thinking during learning so we can help them learn better “(NETP, 2010). "National Education Technology Plan 2010 | U.S. Department of Education." U.S. Department of Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May Wynkoop, Gloria. " Documents - sisdtx." sisdtx. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May < &contextId.79788= &parentId.79788=

TEACHING NEPT Goals: Professional educators will be supported individually and in teams by technology that connects them to data, content, resources, expertise, and learning experiences that can empower and inspire them to provide more effective teaching for all learners. Somerset ISD: educators have access to 360 Walkthrough to analyze observations by administrators; C-Scope lesson plan access; access to district/campus STaR charts; eRTI and eSPED; surveys to determine needed technology tools and training; access to Epsilen collaborative networking; wireless laptop carts; assistance in receiving additional/Masters degree “Just as leveraging technology can help us improve learning and assessment, technology can help us better prepare effective educators and increase their competencies throughout their careers while building the capacity of our education system to deliver effective teaching. Technology can do this by enabling a shift to a new model of connected teaching” (NETP, 2010). "National Education Technology Plan 2010 | U.S. Department of Education." U.S. Department of Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May Wynkoop, Gloria. " Documents - sisdtx." sisdtx. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May < &objectId.79788= &contextId.79788= &parentId.79788=

Infrastructure NEPT Goals: All students and educators will have access to a comprehensive infrastructure for learning when and where they need it. Somerset ISD: explore various funding sources outside of school district; periodic budget planning to investigate/evaluate required and available funding for future equipment purchases; implement ongoing assessment of hardware, software, telecommunication services and infrastructure; expand parent and community access to existing and emerging networks through school website and Wi-fi availability; sustain district technical assistance and support for the integration of technology into teaching and school operations; develop a disaster recovery plan ensuring critical data is recovered in a timely manner and communication systems are restored “An infrastructure for learning is necessary to support a learning society in which learning is lifelong and lifewide.” "National Education Technology Plan 2010 | U.S. Department of Education." U.S. Department of Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May Wynkoop, Gloria. " Documents - sisdtx." sisdtx. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May < &contextId.79788= &parentId.79788=

Productivity NEPT Goal: Our education system at all levels will redesign processes and structures to take advantage of the power of technology to improve learning outcomes while making more efficient use of time, money, and staff. Somerset ISD: offer Wi-fi capability to areas surrounding schools; fiber connection between campuses; use of open- source tools such as Open Office; ethernet-to-desktop connection; SmartR for bus routing; "National Education Technology Plan 2010 | U.S. Department of Education." U.S. Department of Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May Wynkoop, Gloria. " Documents - sisdtx." sisdtx. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May < 9788= &contextId.79788= &parentId.79788=

Suggestions for Improvement Technology integration in all classrooms (not just student computer use or trips to the computer lab) Required technology projects at end of each 6 weeks Comprehensive and effective staff development Campus technology mentors to assist staff when campus instructional technologist is unavailable More collaboration between teachers, staff and administrators in regards to technology use Investigations for available technologies for students Updated AUP to include web 2.0 technologies Development of a new technology magnet school within the district More and proper assessment of the effectiveness of technology use Better selection of hardware that lasted longer Quicker turn-around of computer repair

SUMMARY “To be successful, a technology plan must promote meaningful learning and collaboration, provide for the needed professional development and support, and respond flexibly to change” (November, 1996). In reviewing the articles, videos and the National Educational Technology Plan, I realize that my district has a very long way to go before achieving many aspects of the plan. The biggest obstacle I see for my district would be having teachers and students use technology on a regular basis. I love the idea of collaborative groups showing their knowledge through the use of technology but do not see that happening as long as educators feel a standardized test is more important than a student’s future learning and skills. November, Alan, Carolyn Staudt, Mary Ann Costello, and Lynne Huske. "Critical Issues: Developing a School or District Technology Plan." Critical Issue. North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, n.d. Web. 15 May <

REFERENCES Nagel, David. "National Ed Tech Plan Puts Technology at the Heart of Education Reform -- THE Journal." THE Journal: Technological Horizons in Education -- THE Journal. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May "National Education Technology Plan 2010 | U.S. Department of Education." U.S. Department of Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May November, Alan, Carolyn Staudt, Mary Ann Costello, and Lynne Huske. "Critical Issues: Developing a School or District Technology Plan." Critical Issue. North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, n.d. Web. 15 May < Wynkoop, Gloria. " Documents - sisdtx." sisdtx. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May