Technology Infrastructure

Novice -

• Is there an inventory of all technology, who it is used by, and for what purpose?

• Is there a committee of individuals with diverse representation responsible for technology planning?

• Is there awareness regarding what E-Rate is and what it can be used for (category 1 and category 2 funds)?

• Do all students have access to devices that can adequately access the Internet and other resources?

• Is the school/district network infrastructure and wi-fi robust enough to handle the load of user devices?

• Are staff and students aware of the dangers of sharing personal identifiable information (PII) through the use of technology?

• Are there CS curriculum resources available to teachers and staff that meet data privacy requirements?

• What is the availability of Internet access for students while at home?

• Is there a go-to person for technology support in the district?

Emerging -

• Is there a living technology plan in the district guiding the work of the technology committee?

• Is there a replacement schedule for all technology in the district, end user devices and infrastructure equipment alike?

• Is there a budget for physical computing devices to be updated or replaced (robotics, micro:bits, etc.)?

• Is there someone in the district responsible for filing E-Rate applications and forms?

• Is there an MDM (mobile device management) system in place to manage end-user devices?

• Are additions of end-user devices to the network done in a planful way, are the resources needed to support those devices considered (infrastructure equipment and tech support staff)?

• Do all students have access to devices that have the necessary specifications to adequately access the resources required for effective CS instruction?

• Have staff and students had cybersecurity awareness and digital citizenship training?

• Does the district/school network provide consistent, reliable, and secure connectivity for users?

• Is training available for teachers and staff for the CS curriculum resources available and do those resources meet data privacy requirements?

• Does the school/district have a 1:1 initiative with students taking devices home?

• Is there a dedicated person devoted to the technology support, maintenance, management, and security needs of the school/district?

Developing -

• Are network infrastructure and end user device upgrades budgeted for based on a predetermined regular replacement schedule with potential growth factored in?

• Does the school/district strategically plan for the use of E-Rate funds tying its use to long-term goals?

• Are there regular meetings of the technology committee where there are open and candid discussions to continually evaluate and align technology use with the vision and goals for instruction?

• Do staff and students get annual training to keep up on changes in cybersecurity, digital citizenship, and proper use so as not to put their own information or the school at risk?

• Does the school/district network have enough capacity to handle surges during periods of peak use (standard testing windows, etc.)?

• Are the CS resources provided aligned with curricular priorities, meet data privacy requirements, and are staff adequately trained to use them?

• Does the district take steps to ensure safe and secure access to the Internet from devices taken home?

• Is there enough tech staff equipped with the necessary tools to handle the technology support, maintenance, management, and security needs of the school/district?

• Create an inventory document listing technology equipment (end-user devices, network gear, projectors, etc.) with purchase dates and planned replacement dates. 3-5 years is a general rule for replacement of equipment with variances for type, heavy use, and changes in specifications to meet needs.

• Strive to have diverse representation in your tech committee including students.

• Consider what community partners may be available to enrich the discussion helping to identify what technology skills are in demand to shape the vision of technology instruction.

• Implement two-factor authentication on staff Google accounts.

• File for E-Rate funding to offset the costs of Internet access and to upgrade network infrastructure equipment. Pam Jacobs is a great statewide resource for E-Rate assistance.

• Enroll all staff in free cybersecurity awareness training provided by the State of IA and repeat the training annually. 

• Tap free resources to regularly keep students up-to-date on cybersecurity threats and the dangers of freely sharing their personal information on the Internet. 

• Work to adopt a cybersecurity mindset where data security and privacy is not a technology problem but an organization goal centered around protecting people.