Gibbs County Schools Technology Implementation Plan

1. Gibbs County Schools Technology Implementation Plan Ms. Charlon L. Gibbs Liberty University

2. Technology in the 21st century • “The new 21st century learners are highly relational and demand quick access to new knowledge…today’s students need teachers and administrators to re-envision the role of technology in the classroom” (Blair, 2012). • Students are learning differently than when technology first began in the school systems. TO keep up with the growing changes and demands, we must realize that we, as a learning system, must change the way we deliver information and instruction to our students.

3. Goal of technology plan • Goal 1: Students will understand the importance of technology in the 21st Century. • Goal 2: All students will master basic computer programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MovieMaker and FrontPage • Goal 3: Teachers will allow students to collaborate online and discuss open-ended questions to support the new Common Core State Standards in North Carolina (NCDPI, 2012).

4. Needs assessment for gibbs county schools • Strengths -: • there are several schools which are considered Choice Schools. • every classroom is equipped with a SmartBoard where students can be actively engaged during lessons. Weaknesses: • the amount of teachers who are not educated in the new technology advancements popular with the students. • limited professional developments for teachers to understand the use of technology in the classroom HOW DO WE ADDRESS THESE NEEDS?

5. Steps to addressing needs • Professional Developments • Increase available technology • Funding

6. Professional development • Allowing teachers adequate time to learn new technology resources and implement them during class time is necessary. • Ensuring teachers have enough time to learn the information but not be overwhelmed with information and work is essential. • Making available an online social community for teachers to communicate about the technology, without having to sit in a class physically. • More training will produce better teachers and help with the goal of technology implementation at all school levels.

7. Increase technology • The amount of technology at each school needs to be increased. • Purchase IPAD carts (30 IPADs per cart) for each school. • More applications need to be purchased to use with the IPAD mobile carts. • Ensure the wireless systems are strong enough for the school issued technology and for student cell phone usage. • Ensure all students have access to laptops during the school day.

8. IPAD technology Applications

9. Funding • Without the proper funding and support from not only the local and state governments but also on the federal level, the schools will not be able to keep up with the increasing enrollments in every school, the educational demands set by the federal government and the salaries needed to retain great teachers as well as support staff. • This technology plan requires a great deal of funding, however, we cannot put a price on the success of our students.

10. budget Total Estimated Cost

11. conclusion • The world is changing and in order to produce the best leaders of our time, we must also adapt the learning environment. The technology plan is a map to ensure we are equipping our students with the necessary skills to be critical thinkers in the 21st Century and to fulfill President Obama’s request that all students are globally competitive after high school.

12. references • Blair, N. (2012). Technology integration for the new 21st Century learner. National Association for Elementary School Principals. February 2012. Retrieved from http://www.naesp.org/principal-januaryfebruary-2012-technology/technology-integration-new-21st-century-learner