TECHNOLOGY PLAN:

Evaluation Process

Technology changes continuously. The application of technology changes continuously. To maintain the edge that technology provides, the Technology Steering Committee has established a number of sub-committees focusing on future trends, instructional applications, updating the technology plan, professional development, and evaluating current practices. The Technology Steering Committee meets monthly to maintain district focus.

The technology evaluation process includes monitoring:

  1. The distribution of computers throughout the district;
  2. The utilization of computers throughout the district;
  3. The number of professional development offerings and the number of participants in professional development; and
  4. the development and implementation of campus technology plans;
  1. Computer distribution

Computer distribution has been closely maintained since 1991. Every computer that enters the district is accounted for in maintaining the campus ratios. The systematic replacement of computers is based upon the effective utilization of that computer. As needs change, computers are re-purposed to other areas where they provide the necessary functions.

II.        Computer Utilization

Two yearly surveys are administered to facilitate tracking of computer utilization: an instructional survey and an administrative survey. The instructional survey monitors how the computers are being utilized, what software packages are being utilized, how much time the computers are being utilized in instruction, and the overall perspective and attitude towards technology. The administrative survey monitors the use of the management information systems.

The evaluation of telecommunication usage includes, but is not limited to, the monitoring of the following data updated on a daily basis and displayed numerically and graphically. Having this information enables us to make immediate corrections in response to new developments and opportunities as they arise.

·         number of teachers and students on the Internet;

·         number of hits on the CISD homepage;

·         the most accessed sites;

·         the type of Internet hits;

·         number of video conferences;

·         number of e-mail accounts, both student and staff;

·         activity of e-mail accounts;

·         where the e-mail is going to and coming from; and

·         how quickly the calls come in and the number of calls when internet access is temporarily terminated.

  1. Professional Development

Staff development is offered through the Technology Department throughout the summer and the school year. Two instructional specialists provide this training. Individual campuses also provide technology staff development throughout the year in accordance with their individual campus technology plans. The Technology Department provided over 100 courses from June, 2005, through February, 2006, with over 1400 teachers and administrators participating in these staff development offerings.

The Technology Department is working closely with the curriculum coordinators and the District Curriculum Council to develop technology integration strategies in-line with the new TEKS. Comprehensive summer training and on-going training throughout the school year is being planned.

The instructional survey administered to all teachers in the spring of each year monitors the effectiveness of staff development and helps determine the need for additional staff development and additional areas for staff development.

Technology Plan Index