Lisa Lassandrello

University of St. Francis

Institutional Technology Plan
 Institutional Technology Plan
Technology reform in a District of any size is a long process with many considerations.

Reform must always begin with a mission. This mission makes clear the intention for

implementation of a change which will then guide the standards for ethical, equitable,

appropriately social and legal behaviors. Technology reform has unique challenges in regards to

these standards. Ensuring ethical practices and equitable access to technology for a school

district is among some of the biggest challenges, particularly for a large and diverse student

population. It is critical that ethical standards and that equitable access to technology are

enforced as part of any district reform.

Executive Summary

In order to enforce ethical standards, the standards must be clearly stated, shared with all

stakeholders, and easily referenced. The purpose of the standard is to “emphasize the

profession’s obligation to the public at large, including concern for the public’s health, safety and

welfare” (Tavani, 111). The real challenge lies in enforcing the standards. Once a clear mission

and practice standards are shared with all stakeholders, the next hurdle is ensuring

accountability.

Many organizations include language to ensure accountability amongst stakeholders in

their listed standards. For example, IEEE states in their 10th statement that members are required

to “assist colleagues…” AECT states that members “shall report, without hesitation…” AMC

indicates that, “each member should encourage and support adherence by other members, and

finally CoSN policy includes the language “manage… the enforcement of policies…”.

Stakeholder must maintain a culture of equity and ethical practice by not only adhering to

standards, but also enforcing standards. Unethical behavior can be consequence up to and
including termination. All administrators, staff and students must hold one another accountable

to ensure safety for all stakeholders.

While equity is a component of ethics, there needs to be special consideration for the

diverse population of the students. In order to implement reform, the district needs to take action

to ensure that all students have equal access and that no students are given an unfair advantage in

a district initiative. All stakeholders must understand how to utilize the technology equitably and

be trained to recognize inequities in their practice and support students that require more help.

When all stakeholders are informed, included and dedicated to the process, technology

reform for a school district will create positive changes that benefit student growth. A clear

mission and defined ethical standards are critical in ensuring positive change that incorporates

safe and equitable access to technology for all students.

Software and Information Maintenance & Security Element

Safe and equitable access to technology begins with security planning and software and

information maintenance. A secure plan for maintaining district records and providing safe

access for all stakeholders is an imperative component of a technology plan. The District must

consider appropriate staffing, training, installation and accountability of all software programs.

Because technology is ever-changing stakeholders must always save room for reform and change

in every plan. Strategies for software information maintenance and security are as follows:

SOFTWARE AND INFORMATION MAINTENANCE & SECURITY ELEMENT

STRATEGIES
1 Train IT staff to install necessary software for use by all staff, administration, students, and
school buildings- trainings scheduled as needed.

2 Train IT staff to perform as needed software and security upgrades/updates- minimum

quarterly checks

3 Train IT staff to replace dated or unusable systems with updated technology for all
stakeholders (summer training sessions)
4 District and IT staff should ensure expanding systems will not affect current users should
district population shift, increase or decrease (before plans are implemented)

5 Train IT staff on security elements districtwide (July)

6 Train all staff, administration, student body and stakeholders on the Acceptable Use Policy
(required training added to GCN)

7 Create and utilize quarterly assessment to be sure system is implemented appropriately and
securely by all users (assessment completed online by select IT Staff, administrators and
staff)

8 Daily scans by IT office for safety threats on the network

Network Infrastructure Element

The next component of a technology reform is to ensure that the network infrastructure

supports the program. The network infrastructure determines requirements for all stakeholders to

be able to obtain access to the provided network. The design structure and maintenance plan help

support the network. Strategies for the implementation of the network plan are as follows:

NETWORK INTFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT STRATEGIES

1 IT staff assigned to install both wired and wireless connectivity throughout the district,
including all antennae and network supports required to maintain consistent access

2 IT staff is trained to evaluate when changes/upgrades are required (Summer conference)

3 District should align redundant network supports in preparation for unpredictable outages

4 Train all stakeholders on appropriate use, and appropriate reporting methods should there be
any issues (required training in August- SIP)

5 Provide all stakeholders with educational materials to support use and HELP DESK to report
issues

6 Train IT staff and all stakeholders to assess equitable access to the network (ongoing training)
Budgeting & Auditing

Technology reform requires a budget and a plan to maintain the budget. The District

needs to determine available monies designated for technology with consideration for future

expenses. In order to maintain the budget, frequent audits to determine use, function and

replacement of any technology is required for optimal use. Strategies for maintaining budget and

auditing are as follows:

BUDGETING & AUDITING STRATEGIES

1 Train IT staff to evaluate when changes/upgrades are required within budget parameters
(summer conference)

2 Secure budget by regular auditing of hardware, software, network accessories in use, ready
for disposal, ready for upgrade (quarterly checks)

3 Train IT staff to complete necessary yearly inventory audit (July)

4 Provide all stakeholders with educational materials to understand budget limitations

5 Evaluate budget annually to be sure enough monies are allotted to maintain necessary
technology for optimal learning and continued use (District administrators)

Technology Procurement & Disposal

The District must determine how to procure and dispose of necessary technology

equipment. Each stakeholder should be aware that there is an appropriate disposal method for all

hardware. Stakeholders must be equally aware of how the District can and will obtain necessary

hardware for the proposed technology plan. Strategies for procurement and disposal are as

follows:

TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT STRATEGIES

1 Train IT staff to obtain necessary technology hardware to maintain systems (summer
conference)

2 Provide all stakeholders with educational materials on how to obtain appropriate technology
(annual GCN training)

3 Train IT staff on how to request a bid, and understand purchase orders (summer conference)
4 Staff should consult with IT department for appropriate technology requests

TECHNOLOGY DISPOSAL STRATEGIES

1 District should consult state and local government on rules for disposal of technology

2 Train IT staff on how to maintain secure records during disposal of dated hardware (summer
conference)

3 Create Policy to be sure all stakeholders are informed of the disposal policy for the district
(Administrators create policy, add to GCN training)

4 Train IT staff on how to erase hard drive and prepare hardware for disposal (Summer
conference)

Communication
Part of a District initiative will include considerations for effective communication. The

plan must include strategies for the District to communicate with all stakeholders, for the

stakeholders to communicate to the district, for open communication within the building and

special consideration for student and family needs and student and family rights. Strategies for

effective communication are as follow:

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
1 Promote technology changes to stakeholders via connect ed calls, email and public
announcements as needed

2 Maintain special consideration and opportunities for non-English speaking stakeholders in all
communications (translated printed materials, translators available for clarification)

3 Plan special communication for families without access to technology, i.e. Letters mailed
home or phone calls

4 Train staff to utilize technology for communication and lessons appropriately with special
consideration for FERPA, CIPA, Copyright & Fair Use laws. (GCN training)

5 Train stakeholders to communicate issues with technology to IT staff (SIP day training)

6 Train IT staff to communicate updates/changes in service to all stakeholders, as needed

7 Establish continuing education for stakeholders in regards to technology opportunities in the
district

Implement Actively Learn Plan: Activity for Classroom Teachers

Indian Prairie School District will be introducing a new tech tool, Actively Learn, for the SY

2018-19. All teachers will be required to incorporate this tool into their classroom lessons.

Teachers will be expected to create at least one lesson utilizing Actively Learn by the end of first

semester. During second semester, the expectation will be two more lessons (three lessons total

for the school year). Tutorials and additional supports will be provided to all staff via the school

Splash page. The plan and timeline are as follows:

PLAN
 10 minute professional development meeting with staff to introduce the webtool

 Email push to create accounts

o Go to activelylearn.com and create a teacher account.
o Switch to student mode and join the Actively Learn PD Group with the
following class code: f50rm

 Create a google folder linked to MVHS Splash including but not limited to tutorial,
posters and introduction slides

 Teachers are required to complete the Actively Learn tutorial

 PLC Leaders will discuss at a leader meeting how to assist teachers and check-in
weekly with their teams

 Teachers will create lessons for classroom.

TIMELINE
 August SIP Day- 10 min meeting

 August- Email/Link to Splash page all staff create account

 September- PLC Leaders PD in PLC leader meeting

 September- December- Weekly check-ins by PLC Leader with PLC teams

  September- Staff email reminder to create account and complete tutorial

 October 1st- deadline to complete Tutorial

 December 21st- create one assignment for students

 January- Ed-camp supports at SIP day

 May 31st- create at least 2 more lessons

Hardware Maintenance
Hardware maintenance strategies are required to maintain the integrity and operation of

the hardware. Stakeholders must all be educated on the proper care and limits of the hardware

they are entrusted to use. Strategies will include training on appropriate use, testing of

functionality, communicating of issues, plans for repairs and replacements. Strategies for

maintaining hardware are as follows:

HARDWARE MAINENANCE STRATEGIES

1 Train each end-user/stakeholder on appropriate use of their laptop, Chromebook, computer,
printers, labs, etc. (August- required training SIP)

2 Provide access to educational materials on appropriate use

3 Budget for repairs and replacements of hardware (Adminstrators)

4 IT staff will plan for regular updates and testing of hardware (quarterly tests)

5 Train IT staff to complete assessments of hardware (Summer Conference)

6 Train IT staff to replace or repair hardware (Summer Conference)

7 Train all stakeholders to communicate problems with hardware, and immediately report lost
or stolen hardware to district (GCN training)
 References

ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. (2018). ACM.org. Retrieved 18 January 2018,
from https://www.acm.org/about-acm/acm-code-of-ethics-and-professional-conduct

Code of Professional Ethics- Association for Education Communication & Technology. (2018).
AECT.site-ym.com. Retrieved 18 January 2018, from http://aect.site-
ym.com/members/group_content_view.asp?group=91131&id=309963

Consortium for School Networking (CoSN). (2018). Framework of Essential Skills. Retrieved
18 January 2018 from www.cosn.org/framework-essential-skills.

IEEE Code of Ethics. (2018). IEEE.org. Retrieved 18 January 2018, from

https://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/governance/p7-8.html

Tavani, H. (2001) "Professional Code of Ethics and Codes of Conduct" extract from the book
Ethics and Information Technology