ETP- Tips for Practical EdTech Planning
"We’re not going to have deeper learning for all students if we don’t have deeper learning leadership for all teachers."
-Barnett Berry
1. Long-term Planning
1. Long-term Planning
2. Identifying Areas of Need
2. Identifying Areas of Need
3. Obsolescence Planning & Equipment Replacement
3. Obsolescence Planning & Equipment Replacement
4. Budget Allocations & Sources
4. Budget Allocations & Sources
- Bond
- eRate
- Technology Instructional Materials Allotment (TIMA)
5. Crafting Critical Components
5. Crafting Critical Components
Tips for Practical Technology Planning
Tips for Practical Technology Planning
Tip #1: Create a knowledge management site.
Tip #1: Create a knowledge management site.
This allows you to house all the exciting content you will be creating.
This allows you to house all the exciting content you will be creating.
Tip #2: Conduct an assessment.
Tip #2: Conduct an assessment.
Try two stars and a wish. What are TWO things technology is doing right? What is ONE thing you wish we could improve? Visit every campus and each department in the district and get their response. Prioritize the wishes, celebrate the stars. Get it done within your first three months on the job.
Try two stars and a wish. What are TWO things technology is doing right? What is ONE thing you wish we could improve? Visit every campus and each department in the district and get their response. Prioritize the wishes, celebrate the stars. Get it done within your first three months on the job.
Tip #3: "What do you REALLY do?"
Tip #3: "What do you REALLY do?"
Ask the technology team, "What is it you really do in your job?" Get them to write it down. This data can assist you in seeing who does what and who says they do more than they do. You will also be able to plan ahead for growth in resources and staff.
Ask the technology team, "What is it you really do in your job?" Get them to write it down. This data can assist you in seeing who does what and who says they do more than they do. You will also be able to plan ahead for growth in resources and staff.
Tip #4: Establish benchmarks.
Tip #4: Establish benchmarks.
Conduct a needs assessment, whether instructional, infrastructure, or both. It's hard to show progress when there hasn't been a standard set or a benchmark assessment done. Use them to set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the future.
Conduct a needs assessment, whether instructional, infrastructure, or both. It's hard to show progress when there hasn't been a standard set or a benchmark assessment done. Use them to set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the future.
Tip #5: Make a Top 10 List of Organizational Needs
Tip #5: Make a Top 10 List of Organizational Needs
It's easy to get lost in the weeds. Take your assessment data and come up with a Top Ten list of priorities. Use this at every opportunity to assist stakeholders in understanding what the district's needs are.
It's easy to get lost in the weeds. Take your assessment data and come up with a Top Ten list of priorities. Use this at every opportunity to assist stakeholders in understanding what the district's needs are.
Tip #6: Engage in Project Management for ALL
Tip #6: Engage in Project Management for ALL
Project management is essential to every undertaking in a school district. Put technology to work to facilitate this for all, including technology projects.
Project management is essential to every undertaking in a school district. Put technology to work to facilitate this for all, including technology projects.
Tip #7 - Shaping a Shared Vision
Tip #7 - Shaping a Shared Vision
Excited about shaping a shared vision for technology in your school district?
Excited about shaping a shared vision for technology in your school district?
Here's one approach that worked for a school district under TCEA's facilitation.
Here's one approach that worked for a school district under TCEA's facilitation.
Bonus Tip
Bonus Tip
Keep up to date with state and national legislative priorities. You can use them to shape the focus of your edtech planning, as well as build a sense of urgency.
Keep up to date with state and national legislative priorities. You can use them to shape the focus of your edtech planning, as well as build a sense of urgency.
