Running head: VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY 1

Vision for Technology

T. Michael Rewis

Kennesaw State University

















Dr. Fuller
Technology Leadership & Vision in SchoolsITEC 7410
Ed.S. Instructional Technology, Summer 2014
VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY 2
Schools Vision
As Dr. Thelma Jackson (Principal of CAGJH) stated: At C.A. Gray, we have a Science
Technology, Engineering Mathematics (STEM) vision that more students are using technology
and are comfortable with it. It our intent to put a portable device in every students hand and that
through the use of technology, students will develop 21
st
Century Skills that will make them
employable and able to fulfill the STEM jobs (T. Jackson, personal communication, February 13,
2014). A visitor to any classroom at C.A. Gray would observe students engaged in their
learning using technology such as portable devices, e-books, productivity software, instructional
apps, and web 2.0 tools to enrich students learning experience.
Administrators Role
Creighton states that as Principals discover and evaluate and implement new
technologies, they should remained focused on teaching and student learning as the main idea
behind it all (Creighton, 2003). Administrators will not make decisions based on the latest
initiate but rather ensure that everyone is in the planning and implementation process by having
school-wide discussion during faculty meeting where all opinions questions and concerns will be
addressed (Creighton, 2003). Administrators will input valuable information into web-based
software so that stakeholders can make data-driven decisions. Administrators will have access to
web-based data through a high speed data connection. A web-based data system will also be
available to access information about professional learning units and training opportunities.
Technology Coachs Role
Professional development will be provided to teachers addressing both individual teacher
and school goals. According to Knight (2007), teachers should have a choice regarding what and
how they learn. Technology coaches will conduct comprehensive needs assessments of the
VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY 3
entire school every year that addresses all academic areas and any factors that may affect student
achievement when designing and planning for professional learning. The technology coach
seeks to provide emerging technologies to teachers and students to facilitate acceleration,
remediation, and accommodation. The technology coach will continue to use research based
strategies when collaborating with teachers and administrators when evaluating emerging
technology. The Technology coaches will assist teachers in integrating the NET-S and NETS-T
technology standards in order for learning to be authentic through the use of technology. The
technology coach will assist teachers in providing flexible learning environments so learning will
go beyond the classroom walls. According to Roblyer and Doering, To see change with
technology occur, all invested parties must be part of the equation, be empowered, and share a
vision (2010, p. 63). The technology coach will incorporate the technology standards and
vision into the schools improvement plans. The Technology coach will provide ongoing content
specific teaching and learning strategies, resources, and webinars to teachers on ways to
incorporate the shared STEM vision for technology. STEM education professional development
workshops will be offered during school to prepare and support teachers on ways to effectively
use technology to be successful.
Teachers Role
Teachers will plan assignments and projects using technology that revolve around
differentiated and individualized learning and allow students to create projects using many, many
varied methods through the use of technology. Through the use of technology, teachers will
prepare students to be proficient in STEM projects and inspire them to pursue STEM careers.
Teachers will continue to receive on-going system training from the Department of Education in
order to improve student achievement in diverse classrooms through the use of technology. In
VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY 4
the classroom, teachers will make sure all students have equal opportunities with using
technology to meet each childs individual learning goals. Assistive technology will be used if
needed. Teachers will be equipped with computers, visual presenters, projectors, Elmos, IPads,
and SMARTboards to allow choices when presenting new material. Teachers will be involved
as a facilitator and guide and will participate in ongoing professional development to
immediately introduce any new emerging technology into the classroom to be used by the
students. They will create authentic learning opportunities connected to the real world through
technology. The point is not to teach with technology but to use technology to convey
content more powerfully and efficiently (Rosen, 2011, p. 14).
Students Role
Students will be encouraged to use digital tools, e-books, e-reference materials,
instructional and productivity software as well as online resources to complete projects. Students
will use digital media to communicate and work collaboratively to support individual learning
and connect with experts in the field. Students will be encouraged to become stakeholders in
their individual education. Learning will go beyond the walls at C.A. Gray as projects will be
published on the Internet and shared with a worldwide learning community. Furthermore,
students will employ technology to engage in critical thinking activities to solve real life
problems (ISTE, 2007). Students will continue to work on the latest technological tools and
innovate curriculum in hands-on learning projects that include web page design, managing
databases, designing programs using code, produce videos that all align with the current Georgia
Performance standards. In the future, students will learn in 3-D or virtual reality (VR)
environments where they can graphics or avatars to represent themselves. Kozdras (2009)
reported that these types of learning environments help teach children important life concepts
VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY 5
like financial literacy. In addition, these environments will allow students to participate in a
STEM curriculum in all subject areas, engage in competitions, participate in virtual STEM field
trips, and extended STEM learning experiences through the use of technology.
Parent/Community Role
Parents will use technology to communicate with school and staff through school
webpage, teachers webpage, email, and electronic newsletters. All student gradebook files are
connected to the Parent Portal and guardians will be able to access all information and monitor
their childrens progress (ISTE, 2012). The school will take measures to accommodate parents
with limited English proficiency by providing documents in Spanish as well as English. Federal
programs will also provide computers at school for parents who do not have home computers.
The school will provide an automated telephone calling system to allow school and district
administrators to relay school events notices and emergency information in English and in
Spanish.
Support Staff
The school supports Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) and support staff will provide
secure Wi-Fi connectivity to utilize wireless instructional devices. The support staff will also
provide a web-based grade book and parent interface for secure access of grades, attendance,
standardized test results, accommodations, and other data regarding students academic standing.
Support staff will upgrade hardware and resources to maximum speed, efficiency, and
dependability. Support staff will continue to provide fiber connectivity Network drops in all
classrooms, computer labs, media center, offices, conference rooms, cafeteria, and other
instructional areas. In the future, teleconferencing will be expanded to include more conferences
with universalities all over the country and the world.
VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY 6

Conclusion

C. A. Grays vision reads, C.A. Gray Jr. High School will become a School of
Excellence. C. A. Grays vision for technology revolves around differentiated and
individualized learning for students. The school will seek to provide existing and emerging
technologies to teachers and students to facilitate remediation, acceleration, and accommodation.
Ongoing professional development will be provided to teachers addressing both school and
individual teacher goals by first conducting a needs assessment. Students will be encouraged to
use technology to become stakeholders in their individual education. By June 2017, the schools
goal for meeting or exceeding district equipment standards is 80 percent. C.A. Gray will develop
school-specific appropriate policies and procedures to guide the use of and implementation of
emerging technologies to include, but not limited to, social media, video postings, and Bring
Your Own Technology.
VISION FOR TECHNOLOGY 7
References

Creighton, T. (2003). The principal as technology leader. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
International Society for Technology in Education (2007). NETS for students. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students/nets-student-standards-2007
International Society for Technology in Education (2012). Essential conditions: necessary
conditions to effectively leverage technology for learning. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/netsessentialconditions.pdf
Knight, J. (2007). Instructional Coaching: A partnership approach to improving instruction.

Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press

Kozdras, D. (2009). What we can learn about what kids know from immersing in virtual worlds.

Journal of Reading Education 34(3), 38-42.

Roblyer, M.D., & Doering, A.H. (2010). Integrating educational technology into teaching. (5th

ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon/Pearson.

Rosen, L. D. (2011). Teaching the iGeneration. Educational Leadership, 68(5), 10-15.