Developing a School Technology Plan
E-rate | FundingEven though learning about technology itself might not be in the curriculum, there are no arguments that the different devices which are available on the market can reinforce a student's learning - allowing them to learn about things which are already in the curriculum in exciting new ways. Not only this, but many of the teacher resources which can be bought can allow students to establish study skills in IT - with computing being one of the most desirable skills to have in the world of work for the future.
With the educational landscape ever changing, it can be important for schools to use their budgets wisely by investing in technology which will allow for teaching to be more productive, efficient and time-saving - allowing for more ground to be covered in lesson time. Through the use of a school technology plan, an educational institution can gather a sense of direction for the future in how they want to help students to use the latest materials to the best of their capabilities.
A school technology plan can be a lot more than a document which lists the different things which can make an educational organization's use of technology better. A lot of the time, teachers, parents and governors can be involved in order to determine whether or not the right decisions are being made regarding the use of the limited funds that a school might have, whether the choices which have been made ensure that other goals the school has can be fulfilled, and the direction which needs to be taken to make these aims a reality in a timely manner. The planning which is behind the plan can also be as important as the plan itself, otherwise it can simply be hollow words.
A school technology plan needs to overcome the obstacles which staff themselves might have with using these new teacher resources. A team needs to realize that the latest technology might not come easily to the teachers who might be working with this equipment, and so dedicated time which is set aside for training the faculty can mean that the transition of the latest devices into the educational environment can be extremely effective and smooth - ensuring that the new systems do not work perversely in the development of students through the academic year.
There needs to be frequent reviews to see how a plan is going, with there being modifications made when new circumstances arise. Remembering that it is not the job of a school to gamble a technology budget is also important, and the need to choose tried-and-tested resources which work and aid learning are important. With the use of research and statistics which is already available concerning certain resources, the teams which are behind the decision making process of a school technology plan can ensure that no mistakes are being made regarding the different resources which are being invested in. From here, children can benefit from brand-new equipment which can aid understanding of subjects in the future.