In using technology in schools, the main goal for its usage should always be to enhance the teaching, instruction, and learning for the benefit of all students. In order to have and utilize technology efficiently in schools, there must first be a technology plan in place. According to The Technology Coordinator's Handbook (2017), "Any school or district that wants to make sure technology expenditures have the intended impact for students and staff must have a carefully developed technology plan. This plan represents a three-to five- year road map of where the school or district wishes to go with technology" (Frazier and Hearrington, p. 167). I have often heard that not having a plan at all means that it is automatically a plan to fail. In saying this, a technology plan allows for teachers, administrators, technology leaders, and stakeholders to come together and develop a plan for the technology that they want to purchase as well as the purpose that this technology will serve in the schools. When developing a technology plan, it is important to take the time to research different available resources for technology as well as to assess the technology that is already being used to see what changes need to be made. According to The Technology Coordinator's Handbook, "No planning process can be effective without data to support decision making" (Frazier and Hearrington, p. 170). After taking the time to assess the technology in the building, look at available resources, and develop a plan based on adequate data, then the technology coordinator along with the technology team can start planning a budget for the money that will need to be spent on new technology in the classroom.
In order to provide a school with an effective technology program to enhance student learning, school administrators, stakeholders, and technology coordinators have to decide on a technology budget that will adequately fund all the necessary technology, equipment, and software. Although it is easy to think that the more something costs, the better it will be, that is not always the case. According to 7 Steps to Preparing a Technology Plan for Schools, "If the technology isn’t reliable, teachers won't use it and the program will fail. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does have to be reliable" (Knowing Technologies, 2023). Taking the time to ensure that the technology being purchased will actually be an asset to the instruction of the teacher and the learning of the students is what matters most. Planning a technology budget is one of the main reasons why the job of being a technology coordinator can be difficult and time-consuming. According to The Technology Coordinator's Handbook, "It is the responsibility of the tech coordinator to create a workable first draft of the budget by successfully balancing the various needs and wants along with their related costs" (Frazier and Hearrington, p. 175). A plethora of planning, communication, and time will go into planning this budget and ensuring that the right amount of technology is purchased within the school's means. Taking the time to train teachers on how to actually utilize the new technology purchased in their classrooms is also a part of the technology budget in that it is considered professional development. "Professional development strategies should ensure that teachers, school library personnel and administrators know how to effectively use the technologies described in the plan. In order to improve education and support technology-rich learning environments, start by describing the professional development strategies, addressing key questions, and reflecting on what’s worked and not worked in the past" (7 Steps to Preparing a Technology Plan for Schools, Knowing Technologies, 2023). Proper training in using reliable technology is crucial for our teachers and students to be successful in the classroom.
So, the question remains the same- is there really such a thing as a technology plan? Yes! Technology plans do exist....#TrueStory.
References
Frazier, M., & Hearrington, D. (2017). The Technology Coordinator's handbook. International Society for Technology in Education.
7 tips for preparing a technology plan for Schools. Knowing Technologies. (2021, July 5). Retrieved March 15, 2023.
