Technology Plans for Private Schools

1. Technology Plans for Private Schools

2. Objectives • At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to answer the following questions: • What are the necessary components of an effective private school technology plan? • How do I begin the creation and/or implementation of an effective plan? • Why spend all this time on a plan?

3. What is an Effective Plan? • Measurable: Metrics must be defined and measured on a regular basis • Empowers all stakeholders: Students, Parents/Guardians, Faculty, Staff, Administration, Volunteers, and Donors • Driven by organizational (educational) requirements, not technological requirements

4. 5 Components • Organizational Impact • Technology Assessment • Professional Development • Evaluation Strategies • Budget

5. Organizational Impact • List the Vision and Mission Statements of the organization • Provide clear examples of how technology will be used to further the mission of the organization • Define measurable results that will be tracked

6. Technology Assessment • Complete list of all hardware and software • Analyze effectiveness of systems in relation to industry standard best practices • Consider using outside vendor to perform assessment (Cisco funding available) • Initial assessment should include Gap Analysis

7. Professional Development • Train the Trainer Model • Offer and promote training programs facilitated by vendor resources, expert peers, and volunteers • Provide opportunities (and funding) to attend conferences and visit model classrooms to keep abreast of current trends and best practices in technology

8. Evaluation Strategies • Define metrics • Measure multiple times a year • Possible assessment tools: Finished projects, classroom rubrics (scope and sequence), standardized test scores, classroom assessments (administration or senior faculty in-class observations)

9. Budget • “Total IT Spend” • Hardware – Refurbed gear is a lifesaver • Software – Techsoup and other programs • Salaries – Fully weighted • Telecommunications – All internet and phone • Service and support – All vendors • Supplies – Paper, toner, cables, mice, etc.

10. Budget Example 1

11. Budget Example 2

12. Budget Example 3

13. Getting Started • Gather stakeholders • Pick a Champion • Do lots of research • Document, document, document

14. Potential Pitfalls • Penny wise and pound foolish • IT Committees • Corporate Technology

15. Effectiveness • Students improve assessment scores and are better prepared for the digital world • Parents/Guardians are connected/involved • Faculty are energized • Staff increase efficiency • Volunteer hours provide greater value • Donors give more