Unit Plan for Technology

Comments from the technology survey done in February, 2012 on needs for the departments:

Specific to the area of Physical Education and Health Education:

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  Wireless head microphone and portable speakers
  
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  Used dual DVR
  
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  Pedometers
  
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  Heart rate monitors
  

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  Adobe e-learning suite
  
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  Hypersnap products
  
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  Google mail/Docs/Websites
  
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  iPad 2, Iannotate, readers
  
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  One note Windows, Tablet PC’s
  
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  Smart Products
  
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    Presentation software (math)
    
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    SmartBoard
    
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    Interactive Monitor
    

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  TI Inspire CAS graphing calculator
  
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  Vernier probes/LabQuest/Logger Pro
  
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  National Instruments LabView 2011
  
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    Integrates all sorts of equipment
    
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    Lego Mindstorms 2.0
    
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    Stem Experiments
    
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  End Note, reference software for Word
  

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  More TI-84 calculators
  
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  More Manipulatives Spec. applications students learn
  

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  To use Excel for descriptive
  
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  A inferential data analysis
  
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  A regression graph
  

A thriving learning community focuses on improving learning for all of its members. In order for staff members to create powerful learning experiences for students, they need to be engaged in the same. The CSC Educational Unit describes a system which “promotes continuous inquiry and improvement embedded in the daily life of the educational process and which focuses on individual, collegial, and organizational improvement. The professional development strategies for improving learning and teaching with technology are a part of strategic plans of the institution and also of the Educational Department.

PRODUCTIVITY:

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  Increase teaching time by using management programs to streamline grades and attendance via TK-20. Begun in Spring of 2012. Ongoing training until complete implementation by April, 2013.
  
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  _{Increase use databases, and spreadsheets to manage student data.} (Ongoing)
  
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  Increase preparation of high quality teaching materials at the desktop. (Ongoing)
  

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  Use electronic mail systems to communicate throughout the learning community. Completion implementation Fall 2011.
  
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  Use network access to link up with other educators on specific topics through online discussion groups and professional listserves including participation in campus Faculty Learning Community’s (FLC)(Ongoing)
  
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  Increase communication with learners by phone and email exchanges, and by posting information on course and CSC websites. (Ongoing)
  
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  Collaborate with distant learning partners via online national/international projects and distance learning opportunities. (Ongoing)
  

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  Access current information to supplement teaching resources with electronic sources and online services. (Ongoing)
  
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  _{Access professional journals and information online.}
  

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  Evaluate individual work and class progress with reporting options available on software programs. (Ongoing)
  
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  _{Report student achievement through online software (currently SAKAI).}
  
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  Review portfolios of student work and writing saved on the network. Implementation is increasing and should be complete by April 2013.
  

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  Use a variety of multi-media materials to more effectively differentiate instruction to reach students with diverse learning styles and needs. (Increasing)
  
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  Increase student motivation with expanded multi-media resources for classwork and assignments. (Ongoing)
  
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  _{Provide opportunities for students to work collaboratively and actively.} (Ongoing)
  
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  Guide student use of the Internet by creating and using integrated curriculum. (Ongoing)
  
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  Guide students to deeper investigations by collaborating with other educators and students to create online student research projects. Working in collaborative groups, students are challenged by an intriguing question which prods them to seek information, display it, process it, and produce a presentation of their solution. (Ongoing)
  

Since the outset of the technology implementation staff have completed several Technology Skills Self-assessment. The results are used to plan for staff development opportunities.

Peer Experts

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  The Educational Unit has identified “experts” or “lead learners” who assist colleagues with new programs or ongoing learning.
  
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  Library Media Specialists, Educational Technology Committee (ETC) campus-wide, the Educational Unit, and the IT Department offer support and in-service, including the “just-in-time learning” and “Lunch-box” in-service opportunities.
  
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  To increase literacy and improve student learning, faculty members are creating FLC’s teams to study student learning and their own teaching.
  

Network Services Support

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  The Information Technology (IT) (Network Services) Department supports staff and students with phone and email Help lines.
  
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  The IT Department has application support specialist answer specific questions and designs and offers workshops on applications such as desktop management, using email, and using Microsoft Office applications.
  
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  The Teaching and Learning center has trained specialist to support student and faculty in the development and use of SAKAI.
  

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  The Library/Media staff coordinates courses and workshops. Courses are offered in a variety of formats and times.
  
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  _{Staff members coordinate in-service and learning activities conducted via videoconferencing.}
  
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  LMT builds a professional library of books, videos, and resources to support student and staff learning.
  

As part of the National Technology Standards published by ISTE, educational technology foundational skills have been established for pre-service and in-service teachers. The standards fall in six areas:

• Social, ethical, legal, and human issues

Funding for staff development has been understood by the Educational Unit to be critical to the successful implementation of technology. To date the Unit has primarily funded staff development through Chadron State’s allotted Professional Development contractual agreement. However, CSC also has funded Technology Trainers in SAKAI and TK-20 and some provided for release time for faculty trainers. Also:

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  All faculties receive funding for professional develop via contractual agreement of $500.
  
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  All faculties have the opportunity to receive funds from a Faculty Senate Professional Development committee who distributes money through a competitive process.  The amount is generally $450 per faculty.
  
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  The College funds institutional initiatives for faculty training and development through campus based trainings and conference based trainings.  Some examples are the operation of open source courses and text, online teaching techniques, and information and data management system training.
  
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  The College funds technology training and development through the Teaching and Learning Center activities.
  
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  The College has discretionary travel funds set aside for faculty and student group travel for training and development purposes.  Proposals are required to acquire these funds.
  

The ETC meets on a monthly basis to evaluate and make recommendations to CSC administration. These recommendations are done annually in March or April.

Academic Technology Initiatives Fall 2011

1. 
   Academic Advisement/Degree Audit Update
   

Leads: Dale Williamson/Michele Rickenbach

2. 
   DoE Clearinghouse Online Transcript Request Implementation
   

Lead: Dale Williamson

3. 
   Mediated Classroom Technology Upgrade
   

Lead: Ann Burk

4. 
   Faculty Email/Groupware Research
   

Lead: Ann Burk

5. 
   Application of Technology by Faculty
   

Lead: Ann Burk

6. 
   Sakai Oversight Committee
   

Leads: Malinda Linegar, Elizabeth Ledbetter

1. 
   IT Help Desk Enhancements
   

Team: IT Staff

2. 
   Computer Lab Technology Upgrade
   

Lead: Ann Burk

3. 
   Faculty Computer Upgrade
   

Lead: Ann Burk

4. 
   ITV/Video Conferencing Classroom Technology Upgrade
   

Lead: Jereme Patterson

The Institutional Budgets for the academic programming are collectively administered through the Academic Council of Deans under the leadership of the Academic Affairs Vice President. Core operational needs are established through a collective account and include equipment (hard and soft) and repairs.  Annually the departments submit proposals for the equipment money based on learning enhancement need and replacement need. 

This budget request could include items such as:

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  Planning and consulting fees and expenses
  
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  Hardware and peripheral equipment
  
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  Application and network software
  
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  Cabling and telecommunications
  
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  Library database conversion
  
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  Security
  
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  External data bases and systems
  
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  Training
  

a.    The Educational Unit’s (EU) Technology Plan will be reviewed every fall and updated every three years.

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  Provide high-speed access to the Internet for distance learning, communication and research-based activities.
  
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  Model, maintain and share lesson plans demonstrating the infusion of technology and 21st century skills into daily school activities.
  
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  Include in planning at the curricular levels the following concepts:
  
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    Implement a means for ongoing assessment of student progress in the use of technology literacy skills.
    
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    Demonstrate and assess student progress with the Curriculum Content  Standards through activities such as:
    
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      Student interviews
      
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      Student portfolios
      
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      Observations
      
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      Standards-based scoring guides
      
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      Surveys
      
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      Ongoing performance-based assessments
      
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  Embed technology into the learning experience in all curricular areas.
  
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  Further implement student centered, problem-based learning environments
  
  • 
    ISTE: (http://cnets.iste.org/students/)
    
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    Partnership for 21st Century Skills Http://21stcenturyskills.org
    

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  Ensure that the Educational Unit’s existing professional development plan includes the following activities that support integration  of 21st century skills across the curricula:
  
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    Assemble a list of current professional development activities.
    
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    Evaluate current professional development related to curricula to assure it models and instructs in the effective use of technology.
    
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    Evaluate the effectiveness of the professional development activities
    
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    Address future professional development opportunities that support ongoing, effective and relevant staff development programs that are based on evaluation results.
    
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  Develop learning environments that promote higher order thinking skills and are supported by the Unit’s technology plan.
  
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  Integrate the use of 21st century skills to enhance higher order thinking in curricular activities as documented in lesson plans.
  
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  Include peer reflection on implementation of technology into instructional practices.
  
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  Model the effective use of technology.
  
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  Establish a mentoring program for teachers and students in developing and supporting the infusion of technology across the curriculum.
  
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  Collaborate with all Nebraska Department of Education offices in order to promote the utilization of data tools to facilitate data driven decisions.
  

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  Provide access to the Internet and multimedia content in all learning environments for students, teachers, and staff.
  
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  Form strategic partnerships with school districts, educational institutions and the business community to share fiscal and programmatic resources.
  
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  Continue to provide and update:
  
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    high speed LANs (Local Area Network)
    
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    high speed WANs (Wide Area Network)
    
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    E-mail use
    
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    Technology-infused lesson plans
    
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    Productivity software
    
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    Inventory of hardware and software
    
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    Monitoring network use and end user needs to target technical support activities
    
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    Administrative software
    
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    A safe Internet environment
    
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    Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) for all users
    
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    Education of educators and students in the ethical use of computers.
    
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  Review Unit’s web sites in relation to accessibility statements.
  
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  Facilitate communication between informational technology, educational technology, assistive technology and curriculum professionals so that the Educational Unit’s technological resources can be used to support the learning and achievement of all students.
  

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  High-speed connectivity to global and local resources through:    
  

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  High speed WANs (Wide Area Networks).
  
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  High speed LANs (Local Area Networks)—wired or wireless.
  

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  Multimedia computers and mobile devices.
  
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  Current productivity software (administrative, staff and student).
  
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  Access to e-mail.
  
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  Access to Internet.
  
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  Access to E-learning opportunities for students and staff.
  
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  Adequate annual technology budget.
  
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  Technical support for both infrastructure and personnel.
  
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  Maintenance and support to keep the current infrastructure fully operational.
  
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  Timely replacement of obsolete equipment.
  
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  Evaluation of work station ergonomics.