Bethune Middle School Technology Plan

1. Bethune Middle School Technology Plan Presented by: William Carter E7801-Instructional Technology Planning and Management Dr. Regina Merriwether

3. Technology Mission Statement The technology mission of Bethune Middle School is to educate its students and equip them with the ability to live effectively in an ever changing technology driven society. Bethune will accommodate the needs of its economically disadvantaged students and expose them to technology resources that will motivate learning and enhance their over all educational experience. Current technology integration will improve student mastery of the core subjects.

4. Technology Vision Statement The technology vision statement of Bethune Middle School is to link our students to a wide range of technology that enhances student learning through increased student engagement in classroom lessons. Technology will be used as a tool to spark student interest in learning required standards presented through a variety of innovative learning methods. Bethune Middle School students will use technology to become life-long learners able to enter society with basic skills heightened by increased creativity and problem-solving techniques. Students will be provided technology that exposes them to the use of multi-media resources that enable them to exist as proficient and productive citizens in society.

5. SWOT Analysis Strengths Promethean Boards located in all math and language arts classrooms Teachers use LCD projectors during instruction Access to three student computer labs Access to computers in the media center Access to class set of mobile laptops Close circuit television Technology course, lab and instructor Weaknesses No existing technology plan Limited access to Promethean Boards (currently located only in math and language arts classrooms) Continued use of overhead projectors during instruction Teachers unwilling to integrate new technology into their lessons Teachers unaware of new technology resources in the building Limited teacher training on new technology Limited funding for new technology

6. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

7. SWOT Analysis Opportunities District level technical support Title I funding for new technology resources Threats Rapid changes in technology Not a top district priority District-wide budget cuts District-wide lay offs to technical support could delay building upgrades State-wide budget cuts

8. TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

9. Technology Initiatives Build awareness of technology resources available for instructional use by teachers and other school personnel. Increase the usage of new and/or current instructional technology resources in the classroom, faculty meetings and professional development training. Eliminate the use of outdated overhead projectors.

10. Technology Initiatives Require every administrator, teachers, counselor and other resource personnel to develop a website profile page that links to the school website to be viewed and used by school stakeholders for informational purposes.

11. Technology Initiatives Purchase and install new Promethean Boards for all Social Studies and Science classroom by the end of the school year using Title I funds. Purchase two additional mobile Promethean Boards to be stored in the media center and used for instruction by members of the Science, PE and Connections Departments, ESOL and other mobile resource teachers. Purchase and install more innovative and current instructional software to be used to enhance teaching strategies; motivate and engage student learning in the classroom.

12. Technology Goal Statements and Rationale The technology goal statements of Bethune Middle School will focus on the following objective goal areas: Professional Development, Curriculum Development, Student Access and Student Literacy. The rationale of the technology plan is to maximize access, training and the use of technology by school instructional personnel. Technology should be integrated into the core subjects as an aide or resource for motivating students to learn and inspiring them to become more engaged in the process of learning the prescribed state standards.

13. Objectives Professional Development Bethune Middle School teachers will partake in professional development opportunities to acquire skills that enhance instructional strategies and motivates student learning by integrating technology that is learner-centered and covers the Georgia state standards developed for the core areas of reading, English language arts, math, science and social studies. Curriculum Development Objectives Bethune Middle School teachers will integrate new and innovative technical equipment and software into the standards based core curriculum areas to present lessons and enable students to complete class assignments and develop research and data analysis skills.

14. Objectives Student Access Objectives Bethune Middle School students will be exposed to a variety class lessons taught through the use of Promethean Boards, LCD projectors, the internet, instructional software and other school technology resources. Student Literacy Objectives Bethune Middle School students will be able to solve problems, make informed decisions, create and present power points through the use of technical resources such as computers, software, digital cameras, digital video recorders, MP3 players, LCD projectors and Promethean Boards.

15. Hardware, Software and Facility Resource Requirements Bethune Middle School will purchase 14 additional Promethean Boards so that every Social Studies and Science class will have one posted in the classroom. There will be a purchase of 4 additional digital cameras so more teachers will have access to a camera for different projects and assignments. We will purchase 100 MP3 players. Each hall will have access to a class set that would be inventoried and checked out from the media center by a teacher at the time of use. The school will purchase 40 additional earphones in the event that others need to be replaced. The school will also purchase 5 additional LCD projectors to be added to the existing inventory.

16. Instructional Resource Requirements and Staff Development Plan Bethune Middle School will schedule quarterly professional development training on the use of Promethean Boards and require all faculty members to attend at least one session throughout the school year. Training sessions will be taught by the media specialist and other teachers who have mastered the use of the Promethean Board in their classrooms during instruction. Bethune Middle School will schedule professional development training to be conducted by the media specialist, teachers and the CTSS who are familiar with the use of instructional equipment such as LCD projectors, digital cameras, MP3 players and software currently installed on all student computers in the computer lab and/or available for teachers to use to enhance lessons and engage students in classroom lessons.

17. Itemized Budget Plan

18. Evaluation and Timeline

19. Evaluation and Timeline Have Bethune teachers increased the use of technology in their classrooms? Has the technology being used improved the teaching strategies and/or made the lessons more exciting and engaging? Are teachers more willing to explore the different uses of technology in the classroom? Are students more engaged in class lessons where technology is used? Have teachers, administrators and counselors began to use technology more during routine presentations?

20. Cyber Safety and Ethics Bethune Middle School’s technology plan will include tips on cyber safety and ethics. The safety tips will provide information on social networking, personal websites, the world wide web, chat-rooms, instant messaging, emails and cell phone dangers. Stakeholders can also find information on cyber ethics as it relates to pirating songs and videos online. The websites below will serve as additional resources: http://www.webwisekids.org/index.asp?page=parents www.NetSmartz.org http://www.netsmartzkids.org/videos/index.htm