1. The Technology Vision for Ennis ISD Shana McCune PEIMS Coordinator Ennis ISD

2. Agenda • 21st Century Learners • EISD Technology Plan • Existing Conditions • Technology Needs • Technology Goals • Strategies to Achieve Goals • Recommendations for the future

3. What is a 21st Century Learner? • AKA: Digital Native • The students that fill our classrooms • Have grown up with the Internet and they use it, like it and rely on it (Levin & Arafeh, 2002) • Do not fear using technology (TeacherTube.com,nd) • Nesbit’s (2007) A Vision of K-12 Students Today provides a look at 21st century learners http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8&feature=related Once you’ve read or viewed each Web link, create

4. Classrooms for 21st Century Learners • Includes hardware, software, training and infrastructure (Richard, 2007) • Internet connectivity • Flexible work places to accommodate various class sizes • The teacher should become a wonderer, guiding instruction (YouTube.com, nd)

5. Existing Conditions • Computer to Student Ratio: 4 to 1 • Computer to Teacher Ratio: 1 to 1 • All computers are equipped with: • Windows XP • Microsoft Office 2007 Professional • Internet Explorer • Access to laser printers (Ennis Independent School District (Ennis), 2011)

6. Existing Conditions • 100% of classrooms equipped with SmartBoards • Videoconferencing available on 2 campuses • Each campus has • At least 2 digital cameras • 1 video camera • 1 document camera • Remote mice (Ennis, 2011)

7. Technology Needs • Maintain and replace equipment • Maintain connectivity and reliability of networks • Update software as needed • Escalate training on new and existing software and equipment (Ennis, 2011)

8. Technology Goals • Goal 1: Align goals, curriculum, instruction, assessment and technology to ensure effective integration of technology • Goal 2: All personnel will receive instruction to meet State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) proficiencies to enhance student learning (Ennis, 2011)

9. Technology goals • Goal 3: Appropriate and adequate support will be provided for technology needs in the district • Goal 4: Appropriate, effective and efficient technology will be provided for students and personnel (Ennis, 2011)

10. Strategies to Achieve Goal 1: Align goals, curriculum, instruction, assessment and technology • Integrate Technology Application TEKS curriculum with each subject area and grade level • Seek and/or develop annual evaluations that will revel correlations between technology applications and student learning • All campus principals will complete and submit the Campus STaR Chart • Maintain quality filtered Internet services • Existing educational networked software and online subscriptions will be reviewed and evaluated continuously (Ennis, 2011)

11. Strategies to Achieve Goal 1: Align goals, curriculum, instruction, assessment and technology • Integrate technology in all curriculum areas with training available on an on-going and on-demand basis • Videoconferencing/Distance Learning collaborative projects will be sought and incorporated into the learning environment • All personnel and students will receive mandatory training on the Acceptable Use Policy • All campus principals will ensure integration of technology to maximize learning and teaching (Ennis, 2011)

12. Strategies to achieving Goal 2: Receiving instruction to meet SBEC proficiencies to enhance student learning • New teachers, administrators and staff will have state, district and campus level training opportunities • Training for grade level and subject area teachers will be held to assist in integrating Technology Application TEKS across the curriculum • Grant applications will be investigated for funding for additional training • Teachers and staff will increase their level of expertise from staff development aligned with SBEC standards I-V (Ennis, 2011)

13. Strategies to Achieve Goal 3: Appropriate/adequate support provided for technology needs • A minimum number of full time paraprofessional lab managers at each campus • Teachers will use integration of technology to analyze, evaluate and utilize the results of student instruction • Provide training update information services for technicians and associated personnel • Students, parents and the community will have access to continuously updated Ennis ISD web site and teacher web sites (Ennis, 2011)

14. Strategies to Achieve Goal 3: Appropriate/adequate support provided for technology needs • Collaborate with Navarro College to provide adult literacy classes including ESL, GED and computer classes • Collaborate with the community and businesses to provide cooperative technology equipment/services on demand to organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, local service clubs and churches • Integrate and support a student information system including both web-based and server based applications • Provide training for teachers to learn how to maximize the web-based student information system to better monitor student progress and communicate with parents (Ennis, 2011)

15. Strategies to Achieve Goal 4: Appropriate, effective and efficient technology for students and personnel • Networked student work stations and netbooks, laptops and eReaders will be added to the classrooms as valid technology integration plans are accepted and approved • Acquire and/or upgrade existing hardware and software as future demands on hardware and operating systems develop. • Computers will be upgraded/replaced as needed for computer labs and clusters at all campuses • Faculty and Staff networked computers will be upgraded/replaced as needed (Ennis, 2011)

16. Strategies to Achieve Goal 4: Appropriate, effective and efficient technology for students and personnel • Acquire any additional enhancement, innovative and/or peripheral technologies to further the educational process • Add, repair and update distance learning access linked with video communications systems • Obtain the services of outsourced professionals/consultants to perform specialized installations, design and management of the network operations, WAN, communication protocol and assist in diagnosis of software and hardware malfunctions (Ennis, 2011)

17. Strategies to Achieve Goal 4: Appropriate, effective and efficient technology for students and personnel • Provide up-to-date equipment and software management and recovery as needed or required to maintain the performance of networks • Maintain bandwidth and connectivity for all campuses to provide equal access and speed • Maintain expanded Internet bandwidth services to provide for increased requirements of online curriculum/instructional materials (Ennis, 2011)

18. Local Recommendations for the Future • Continue to evaluate technology plan bi-annually to stay abreast of current national and state standards (K. Hollingsworth, personal communication, May 12, 2011) • Incorporate video conferencing for students and not just restrict it to teachers (J. Howard, personal communication, May 12, 2011)

19. State Recommendations for the Future • Utilize innovative strategies for the 24/7 delivery of specialized and rigorous courses and expanded curricular and instructional offerings through the use of technology • Provide instructional coaches and mentors to support classroom efforts in using technology to improve learning in core curriculum areas • Incorporate mastery of SBEC Technology Application Standards into local educator appraisal systems (Texas Education Agency (TEA), 2006)

20. State Recommendations for the Future • Budget for, offer and support expanded curriculum and instructional opportunities to students via online and other distance learning • Strive to achieve and maintain a personal computing device ratio of 1:1 for both students and teachers (TEA, 2006)

21. National Recommendations for the Future • At least one Internet-enabled device for every student and teacher (Ray, 2011) • To help achieve the kind of engagement, student-centered learning and assessments that can improve learning (US Department of Education, 2010) • Conduct research and development into the use of gaming, simulations and virtual worlds for instruction and assessment (Ray, 2011) • To highly engage students and have the potential to motivate students to learn (US Department of Education, 2010) • Encourage cloud computing to free local IT resources for other purposes (Ray, 2011)

22. National Recommendations for the Future • Conduct research and development that explores how UDL best accommodates all learners to ensure we are assessing what needs to be measured • Should not be influenced by extraneous factors • Should be designed from the outset to measure knowledge, skills and abilities • Leverage social networking technologies and platforms to create communities of practice that provide career-long personal learning opportunities for educators (US Department of Education, 2010)

23. National Recommendations for the Future • Ensure all students and educators have broadband access to the Internet and adequate wireless connectivity both in and out of school • To access the Internet and technology-based learning resources anywhere, anytime • Design, implement and evaluate technology-powered programs and interventions to ensure that students progress seamlessly through P-16 education system and emerge prepared for college and careers • Collaboration between P-12 and higher education is crucial (US Department of Education, 2010)

24. Closing Remarks • EISD is considered advanced in technology, but we still have room to grow in order to meet the state and national standards • Seriously consider how technology can accelerate or advance the strategic goals of the district (Moore, 2006) • Invest in technologies that impact learning and long-term total cost of ownership and not because they have high-tech, 21st century appeal (Moore, 2006) • With an ambitious technology plan, we can be well on our way to serving and educating 21st century learners

25. References • Ennis Independent School District. (2011). Ennis ISD technology plan for E-Rate year 14. Retrieved from http://www.ennis.k12.tx.us/files/209233/eisdtechplan10-11.pdf • Levin, D. & Arafeh, S. (2002). The digital disconnect. The widening gap between internet-savvy students and their schools. Pew Internet and American Life Project. Retrieved on May 12, 2011, from http://pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2002/PIP_Schools_Internet_Report.pdf.pdf • Mitchel, E. & Armbruster, T. (2000). Technology [Recorded by Ludwig Von Drake]. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse [CD]. Burbank, CA: Walt Disney Music Company • Moore, R J. (2006, August). The five best accelerators in school. School Administrator, 63, 7. • Nesbitt, B. (2007, November 28). A Vision of K-12 StudentsToday. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8&feature=related • Ray, B. (2011, January 25). National Educational Technology Plan: Your questions answered. [Blog]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/national-educational-technology-plan-netp-audrey-watters

26. References • Richard, V. (2007, April 1). The model of a modern technology classroom. Tech and Learning. Retrieved on May 12, 2011, from http://www.techlearning.com/article/7146 • Teachertube.com. (Producer). K-12 education connecting to a digital generation. Retrieved on May 12, 2011, from http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=120360&title=K_12_Education__Connecting_to_a_Digital_Generation • Texas Education Agency. (2006, November). Long range plan for technology 2006-2020: A report to the 80th legislature from the Texas Education Agency. Retrieved from http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=5082&menu_id=2147483665 • US Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2010, November). Transforming American education: Learning powered by technology. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/netp2010.pdf • YouTube.com. (nd). Classroom of the future HD: What’s new in educational tech. Retrieved on May 5, 2011 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcXEznPXj8k&feature=PlayList&p=4DAA0739CBF70FBC&idex=11&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL