TF-VII.B. Follow procedures and guidelines used in planning and purchasing technology resources. Candidates:

1. Identify instructional software to support and enhance the school curriculum and develop recommendations for purchase.
2. Discuss and apply guidelines for budget planning and management procedures related to educational computing and technology facilities and resources.
3. Discuss and apply procedures related to troubleshooting and preventive maintenance on technology infrastructure.
4. Apply current information involving facilities planning issues and computer related technologies.
5. Suggest policies and procedures concerning staging, scheduling, and security for managing computers/technology in a variety of school/laboratory/classroom settings.
6. Use distance and online learning facilities.
7. Describe and identify recommended specifications for purchasing technology systems in school settings.

VII.B Artifact(s):

 

JUSTIFICATION:

In my Computer Managed Instruction Technology Based Education class I had an assignment to lead a school’s technology committee and critique and revise their technology plan. I collaborated with Thomas Starr King Middle School’s district to evaluate the effectiveness of its implementation of its technical plan. I began by gathering Thomas Starr King Middle School's District technology related policies and reviewing them according to the guidelines used in planning and purchasing technology. I found the Technology Plan to be thorough and clear in most areas. I like how the document was organized, it lets us know the “before” and what will be “after” clearly. The goals and implementation and as well as evaluation plan make sense and are good organized in my opinion. But, it just needs to be more specific as well as letting us know the roles and duties of the persons involved which are not that clear in this school’s technology plan. Other than that, it could be understood by the teacher, parents, and others.

The Technology Plan proposed looks like it can be achieved given the time and resources that will be used. It does look realistic in my opinion. The school hopes to be funded by the California State grant and LAUSD or some other private sources which can be a good or a bad thing. It is good that the state can be generous but it can be bad at the same time, because, funding could be cut or expire overtime, it actually depends on the State’s budget cuts, recession time, and could be effected from many other political issues. I found that funding through private sources is a good idea because it can be continuous and generous in my opinion. Actually they also stated the funding sources section at the last page of the plan and they stated that the three of them are “Ongoing” which is good in my opinion because those are indicated with the Technology Coordinator and two full-time Educational Resource Aides for instructional and technical support for the computer labs.

With technology there is change sometimes immediate. I don’t see any plans or workarounds for emergencies such as worms, power outages, or other threats. I recommend identifying precautions, preparations and preventions of any possible threats. My revisions of the technology plan critique reflected my recommendations under this substandard.

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