Ed+Tech+Plan

=Educational Technology Strategic Plan= Questions for April 6, 2009 Meeting

Leader: Mr. Burkett

Series of questions to ask the Technology Subcommittee at the first update session

1. What emerging technologies should the district evaluate to improve/enhance the teaching/learning process? • 1:1 Laptop program • Use Computers for video conferencing of meetings/trainings

2. Is there any software packages we should be evaluating for possible adoption? • ExploreLearning -http://www.explorelearning.com/ - interactive math and science simulations • Gizmos • Linux Operating System • E2020 in the classroom • Moodle server

3. How can we make online learning better? • Using Gizmos in Online Courses from Blended • Parallel traditional teacher classes with an online course

4. What improvements can be made to provide more effective professional development? Is the cohort process working? Is summer cohort working? • From admin perspective: Offer optional times – Saturday, Evening hours, morning hours • 2 hr blocks like offered to Hyndman Elementary, so teacher can cover classes in lieu of sub • Archive in form of Podcast and Screencast so teachers can watch at their leisure

5. How can the community or businesses be involved more or provide resources to improve our schools? Other partners? Colleges? Businesses? • Seton Hill offering World Language Institute – 2.5 synchronous & 2.5 asynchronous activities

6. Is our bandwidth adequate? • Never enough – youtube block helped internet speed;

7. Is there a better way to allocate our resources to better meet the needs of our students? •

8. Is security an issue? • Concern about useful resources being blocked because of strength of security

9. What technology skills do our students and staff lack? • Compared to other schools we feel we are leading the pack and need to continue to be educated to maintain our position • Some more training on Wikis for teachers • Student don’t enter BMS with the basic requirements for setting up Word documents • Need for another Lab in BE, possibly in Library • Need for a class for students in BE for “Computer Basics” and teacher in to teach it

10. Is there any way we can better use technology to “streamline” administrative tasks and increase productivity? • Iphone email

11. Is there a better way to use technology to communicate with parents and the community? • New phone system - to call parents about early school dismissal and delays.

Word Document with Questions