Part+3+-+Technology+Solution

=PART 3 - Technology Solution Plan =

** A. Rationale ** The purpose of education has always been centered on the development of knowledge, character and skill of students. Technology and innovation within the classroom serves to enhance the learning process and inspire new ways of thinking and creating solutions. Schools worldwide have adopted the technology to fit their own needs and interests. Therefore, this technology plan articulates our vision for technology integration. It also identifies the strategies that will help us utilize the Smart Boards to improve the academic achievement of our students, as well as, assisting them in developing critical thinking and 21st century skills that are essential for academic success.  SMART introduced the first SMART Board interactive whiteboard in 1991. Digital images and documents from a computer or digital projector are displayed onto an interactive whiteboard panel with touch-sensitive technology (Smart, 2010). Using digital pens, their own finger and a pop up keyboard, teachers and students can write on the display, capture screen shots of the board, import images and documents from the Internet, and save either a digital copy of the work or directly import it into software applications such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and Word. SMART Notebook collaborative learning software is also included. So instead of working from behind the computer keyboard, the teacher and students can be at the front of the classroom physically interacting with the display. The interactive nature of the SMART Board provides many practical uses for the classroom. Students as young as preschool can easily use a SMART Board and whole-class instruction can be enhanced. “SMART Boards are a collaboration tool intended to engage the students and create a two-way, shared education process.” The SMART Board interactive whiteboards are very user-friendly. The links below are studies proving that using Smart Boards along with the school’s curriculum has a significant and positive impact on student achievement. [] [] ** C. Expected Outcomes **  This technology project is anticipated to have a positive impact on our school because the Smart Board is more interactive than other types of one-to-one student engagement which appeals to a variety of learning styles. It can be used with students with disabilities; it is effective for review and recall. The Smart Board assists with developing visual learners, while supporting aural and logical thinkers (Beeland, 2002). It can also be used by teachers for lesson planning. There are many ways it can be optimized in the classroom. Here are just a few examples: reinforcing skills by using online interactive websites, teaching editing skills and steps to a math problem. Excite students by creating an electronic word wall. In addition, teachers can use the built-in maps to teach continents, oceans, countries or states and capitals. It can also be very beneficial for saving lessons and sending them to computers of kids who are out sick or absent. The following link to research based articles which support the use Smart Boards and increased student achievement. ** http://www2.smarttech.com/us/Resources/Research+and+data/white+papers **  ** D. Policies and guidelines for selecting technology **  SMART Technologies is a global company which was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. “For more than 20 years, SMART has been developing easy-to-use interactive whiteboards and other group collaboration tools. In 1991, the company introduced the SMART Board interactive whiteboard. Today, more than 1.5 million SMART Board interactive whiteboards are installed worldwide in education, business and government settings” (Smart, 2010). The SMART Board interactive whiteboards are very user-friendly. Students as young as preschool can easily use a SMART Board and whole-class instruction can be enhanced. “The Becta study concluded that interactive whiteboards supported whole-class teaching, focused students’ attention and increased engagement” (British, 2007). The initial cost for each Smart Board will be $1399. But we also need to take into account additional funds will be required for projectors and replacement parts. The SMART Exchange provides educators with unlimited access to relevant, easy to use, preplanned lesson plans, standards-correlated lessons, and resources. In addition, educators can stay connected to a constantly growing, online community on the SMART Exchange. E. Current Technologies ** The school is equipped with a computer lab containing a LCD projector, Smart Board, and sixteen networked computers with the wireless Internet. Fifteen of the computers are for students throughout the school to use and are password protected (district policy). In addition, each classroom is currently equipped with one computer with wireless Internet access for the teacher’s use only and is password protected (district policy). In order for the SMART Boards to function properly a LCD projector will need to be installed in each classroom. The free software which comes with the SMART Board will also need to be installed by downloading it from the SMART Tech websites.
 * B. Specific Description of Technology **
 * 

** F. Analyzing Costs and Establishing a Budget ** Security: The classrooms doors and windows will need to be locked whenever they are not in use. || Hiring fees: The funds needed to pay for a one day Smart Board training by SMART Technical Training Specialist. ||
 * = **CATEGORY /BUDGET** ||= **EXPENSE** ||~  ||
 * **Planning** || Technology team will need time to plan and implement initiative. Additional time will be needed for installation of Smart Boards by SMART technology department. ||
 * **Design & Specification** || Hardware required: SMART Board 600 series with a Unifi 35 projector. The ceilings will need to be wired for installation of projectors.
 * **Purchase/ Acquisition ** || Software: The free software which comes with the SMART Board will need to be installed by downloaded from the SMART Tech websites. Current classroom computers will be connected wirelessly to the projectors, so that the Smart Boards can function properly. ||
 * **Staffing** || Modify job descriptions: for the school’s technology coach and on site technology specialist.
 * <span style="color: #8c4626; font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Training & Certification** || Initial training: A SMART Technical Specialist will conduct training for our technology team members.Ongoing training: Our technology team will be responsible for training our teachers. Additional training sessions will be provided for teachers during professional development days. ||
 * <span style="color: #8c4626; font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Support** || <span style="color: #8c4626; font-family: Georgia,serif;"><span style="color: #8c4626; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">1st level: On-site technical assistance will be provided by our technology media specialist. 2nd level: The Help desk services will be run by the technology department. ||
 * **<span style="color: #8c4626; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Replacements & Upgrades ** || Equipment maintenance: Included in the budget is the cost for replacement parts and repairs. There is no additional cost for software upgrades from Smart Technologies. ||

<span style="color: #8c4626; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">** G. Basic Design Parameters ** The SMART Board initiative works in conjunction with our school’s strategic plan to increase student achievement. U.S. based research indicates that researchers and educators are in agreement that interactive whiteboards improve a student’s ability to retain and recall information (Clemens, 2001). The SMART Board interactive whiteboard used as a tool, in combination with an effective teaching strategy usually brings about dramatic results. The increased level of enthusiasm between student and teacher is an important precursor to improving student scores, especially among those students who traditionally have difficulty learning (Beeland, 2002). As a result, teachers begin creating various ways to promote interaction, stimulate discussion and make learning easy and enjoyable in the process. The Smart Board initiative will also assist teachers in preparing students with 21st century skills.

<span style="color: #8c4626; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="color: #8c4626; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">** H. Benefits ** <span style="color: #8c4626; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 99%;"> In 2010, SMART Board Interactive Whiteboard received a Best in Category Award for the Interactive Whiteboard Category an over 1.6 million has been installed worldwide. In addition, Smart Technologies is an award winning company that has received numerous awards. The interactive whiteboards are very user-friendly. Students as young as preschool can easily use a SMART Board and whole-class instruction can be enhanced. Every SMART Board comes with a two year limited warranty and upon registration it is extended to 5 years. SMART offers a wide selection of educational resources to assist teachers of all grade levels integrate technology into their teaching. The Smart Notebook comes with premade lessons and activities. The SMART Exchange provides educators with unlimited access to relevant, easy to use, preplanned lesson plans, standards-correlated lessons, and resources. In addition, educators can stay connected to a constantly growing, online community on the SMART Exchange. As an added bonus, SMART offers unlimited access to software and free upgrades. The support team will notify you of the upgrade and direct you through the process. Therefore, the Smart Board will never become archaic or obsolete. Most importantly, SMART has an online database and provides twenty four hours a day technical support to over 160 countries throughout the world. “They can be contacted via online chat or by telephone toll-free hours each business day.” Additional resources are available from SMART Technologies @ http://www.education.smarttech.com/ste/en-us/.

<span style="color: #8c4626; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span class="wiki_link_new">view COMMITTEE COMMUNICATION
 * I. Communicate Plan with Professional Technology Committee ** **