Technology Plan Tips

• No specifics to allow for maximum flexibility (ex. A firewall is a firewall, but not company specific)
• A budget is just a projection
• Have a Technology Committee (helps with buy-in as well)
• Set aside a portion of your budget ot pilot new technologies.
• Upgrading your schools' connection to the Internet, linking your facilities together in a fast WAN, and beefing up your LANs should be near the top of your priority list every year.
• Nothing pays off as well as properly structured, properly funded technology training for teachers.
  • 25% of your budget should go towards professional development.
• Texas Teacher STaR Charts submitted
• Slideshow Of Lee's Presentation (PDF)
•  

Incentives/Ideas for STaR Chart Completion

Flash Drive Raffles (Dumas ISD)

Do in during their planning period (Dimmitt ISD)

They ask and teachers do (Memphis ISD)

Internet Resources

http://www.spiceworks.com

A great website for online inventory and the help desk part is wonderful (David Calabrese, Memphis ISD)

http://www.eventbrite.com

A great website for registration and as long as your event is free, the service is free.

Check it out in action from my TPLS website, http://www.txpls.org > Continuing Education > Workshop Registration  (Lee Carter)

http://www.picnik.com

A online editing tool that allows minor editing. (Lee Carter)

http://www.finalsite.com

Web software and services for schools. (Lee Carter)

Long Range Plan for Technology

21st Century Skills

STaR Chart

Progress Report On The Long-Range Plan For Technology, 2006-2020  Lots Of Good Information About What's Going On (Lee Carter)

Podcast On Web 2.0 Tools by Chris O'Neal (Lee Carter)

Example District Technology Plans To Help You With Ideas And Terminology (Lee Carter)

• Keller ISD Technology Plan
• Austin ISD Technology Plan
• Plano ISD Technology Plan And Other Resources
• Birdville ISD Instructional Technology Page - Full Of Good Ideas
• Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Technology Plan
• NETS: Students - Gives you ideas of what your students should be doing - great ideas and terminology for your plan
• NETS: Teachers - Gives you ideas of what your teachers should be doing - great ideas and terminology for your plan

One of the questions, during the workshop, concerned IT Staffing needs and a recommended ratio of support staff to computers.  Below are a couple of links that may be helpful in creating a rationale for staffing needs. (Lee Carter)

• Technology Support Index
• ZDNet Video With Recommendations