J. H. Williams Middle School

 School Technology Plan

INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW

J. H. Williams Middle school is currently expanding its use of technology.  Many more students are becoming more aware of the uses of technology because our teachers are incorporating technology into lessons throughout the curriculum.  All of our classrooms have wireless access to the internet which allows our mobile labs to be used throughout the school. Many teachers have also taken the necessary steps to have a Promethean board in their classrooms.

Our teachers have access to Study Island, Star Math, United Streaming, EBSCO, and WorldBook online.  Teachers, faculty, and staff are using Moodle in order to communicate and collaborate.  We have projectors mounted in all classrooms for use in integrating technology.  This allows all students easy viewing of technology lessons.  Our Promethean boards allow students to have interactive lessons through whole group instruction as well as small group and for individual work.  The wireless labs allow all students to work individually on projects in class. We also have use of a stationary lab.  We are hoping to increase the number of teachers and students who can successfully use and incorporate technology into teaching and learning. 

Current Technology Infrastructure:

·         We currently have 2 mobile labs (30 HP’s) and (about 15 working Dell’s).

·         We currently have 1 stationary computer lab for teachers to use.

·         We have 1 computer lab used by our computer teacher for computer literacy.

·         We currently have 7 teachers with Promethean boards.

·         The school has wireless access in all areas of the school.

·         All of our classrooms have mounted projectors.

Proposed Technology Projects and Upgrades:

• To make our teacher websites more user friendly for students and parents.
• To make sure all teachers are familiar with the uses of Office 2007.
• To make sure all teachers have an updated website on Oncourse.

·         To increase the number of teachers integrating technology.

Action Steps 1: Strengthen Leadership

Leaders at all levels will support systemic change through transformational leadership while monitoring effective use of instructional technology which supports standards-based school improvement efforts.

Current Status:

·         Our principal and both assistant principals are signed up to take Leadtech in the spring.

·         Two people on staff are our technology specialists helping teachers with technology problems.

·         Technology coaches are on staff to assist with technology integration.

·         All teachers on staff use technology regularly in their work to support technology integration.

Benchmarks, Target Year 2013

·         All educators on staff will be technology proficient according to state adopted standards found in Louisiana PreK-12 Educational Technology Standards.

·         All educators on staff will be encouraged to use technology to effectively monitor and evaluate student performance.

·         All educators on staff will participate in on-going professional development designed to strengthen technology integration.

·         All educators on staff will model appropriate use of technology resources to support classroom effectiveness.

·         All educators on staff will use a variety of emerging technologies (email, voice technologies, promethean boards, etc…) as primary sources of communication.

·         All educators on staff will include components of effective technology integration in the classroom.

·         Our school administration will use innovative restructuring and reallocation of existing budgets to purchase needed technology and provide access to high quality professional development opportunities for our teachers.

·         Our school administration will partner with the community to provide needed funds for technology.

Strategies:

Evaluation Strategies and Timeline

Action Step 2: Improve Teacher Training

Teachers will participate in effective professional development to ensure that technology and other educational resources available in schools are being used to enhance student learning.

Current Status:

• INTECH is offered each semester and during the summer at the Region IV Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center in Kaplan, Louisiana. Currently 400 of 650 teachers have completed Intech.
• Workshops are offered for all staff at the parish training center during and after school as well as during the summer on the use of hardware and software for various administrative tasks relative to their job functions. 
• Technology Specialists and Technology Coaches attend daylong training sessions in alternating six weeks to enhance their technology skills and become technology leaders in their respective schools.
• Technology Coaches Camp held in July and Technology Specialist Day in August for intense training and planning for our technology leaders at the school level.
• Parish wide in-service days held twice during the school year include sessions on technology resources and integration

·         Onsite professional development provided for teachers by teachers.

Benchmarks, Target Year 2013

·         All teachers will engage in professional development activities offered locally or through regional TLTCs that demonstrate how to integrate technology into the Comprehensive Curriculum or the locally adopted curriculum

·         All new teachers will participate in ongoing professional development designed to facilitate the integration of technology into instruction and support the establishment of highly qualified teachers in Louisiana.

Strategies:

Evaluation Strategies and Timeline

Action Step 3: Support E-Learning and Virtual Schools

In the past five years there has been significant growth in organized online instruction (E-learning) and “virtual” schools, making it possible for students at all levels to receive high quality supplemental  courses or full courses of instruction personalized to their needs. Traditional schools are turning to these services to expand opportunities and choices for students and professional development for teachers.

Current Status: At the current time, our students are enrolled in online courses for enrichment such as Study Island and Accelerated Math.  Our students are given the opportunity to use online resources to supplement and enrich daily learning.

Benchmarks, Target Year 2013

1.     All teachers will have the opportunity to take online courses for professional developments provided by the district, region, state, or in house led by staff members.

2.    Teachers will have the opportunity to participate in professional development and training in using and creating e-learning opportunities and resources for students.

Strategies:

Evaluation Strategies and Timeline

Action Step 4: Encourage Improved Access and Technology Usage

Most public schools, colleges and universities now have access to high-speed, high-capacity hardware, software, and broadband communications. However, improved access, usage and integrated, interoperable data systems that are current and well-maintained could empower educators to transform teaching. 

Current Status:

·         Internet access in all classrooms

·         United Streaming, EBSCO and worldbook available for all classrooms

·         Oncourse and JPams for all teachers and parents

·         LCD projectors in all instructional settings

·         Science cart and scientific tools available for the school

·         Mobile wireless labs for the school

·         One computer Literacy lab.

·         One stationary lab.

·         New server for the school

Benchmarks, Target Year 2013

·         All students, teachers and administrators will have access to computers and appropriate connectivity in educational settings.

·         Appropriate assistive/adaptive technology will be available to address the unique requirements of persons with special needs.

·         Every student, administrator, and teacher will receive high-quality technical assistance and support provided by the technology specialists and tech coaches.

·         All faculty and staff will complete and submit a Technology Acceptable Use Policy.   The Policy will address online safety, Fair Use, intellectual property, and privacy issues.

·         All students will use age appropriate technology to conduct research, to solve problems, to analyze data, to collaborate, and to communicate with experts and peers.

Strategies:

Evaluation Strategies and Timeline

APPENDIX A

NEEDS ASSESSMENT Data

List the school’s strengths and weaknesses as identified by data collected.
Percentages listed are the percentage of teachers reporting the item as a strength or weakness.

APPENDIX B

J.H.Williams Middle School

TECHNOLOGY PLAN DEVELOPMENT TEAM MEMBERS

List the names and position/affiliation of team members serving on your school’s Technology Plan Development Team.  Team members should include teachers and staff from various areas and levels, an administrator, a parent and/or community leader, and a student if grade appropriate.

Dates of Meetings:
(Keep Sign-in sheets on file at the school) 

Faculty Review Assurance

We hereby acknowledge this ___ day of _____, 2009, that we have reviewed and are familiar with the school Technology Plan for J.H. Williams Middle school

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