Keeping Technology at the Table

At the January Leading Student Achievement (LSA) Days, the Jeffco Ed Tech Team presented Technology Planning, Budget and Instruction: What You Need to Know. We invited achievement directors, principals, assistant principals, DTL’s and technology committee members to gain resources in support of successful technology planning.

The Ed Tech Team understands that there are many forces that drive how your school plans for technology. There are many stakeholders in this work. Your school makes technology decisions based on budget restrictions, assessment requirements, device life cycles, instructional goals and many other outside forces!

Some important information has recently been shared regarding technology equipment and will have an influence in your upcoming technology purchases.

Testing Requirements:

Information was posted in Schoology by the Read Act team on November 9th regarding devices for administering DIBELs. Check the Amplify website for more information regarding supported devices life cycles.

Got questions about DIBELS? Please direct them to the Read Act Team.

Gone are the days of having a sharp #2 pencil to complete state and district assessments. These tests will continue to utilize technology tools for completion. To ensure a good testing environment, up-to-date equipment is optimal.

Stay informed regarding communications through SAC’s regarding technical requirements for testing tools.

IT

The December 13th Leadership Memo contained information regarding End-of-Life Computers.

This is a cabinet level decision and is best practice to have a process in place to manage end-of-life equipment (computers, Chromebooks, iPads). If you are currently using this equipment you have probably noticed that it is very slow and decreases your student and teacher efficiency. Keeping these old computers impacts classroom instruction!

Best Practices for Technology Planning

Before you begin..

Find out what technology you currently have in your school. You can’t plan for equipment when you don’t know which devices are at your school and which devices need to be replaced. Schools can take stock of their equipment through ETAP reports, AirWatch, and other school records. Not sure how to get started? Contact your ITSS to develop a plan for inventory audits.

Start Planning

The Jeffco Ed Tech Team recommends that schools keep three words at the forefront of their decision making as they plan for technology - Sustain, Obtain, Train.

Sustain the technology you currently have in your building

• Is this technology meeting the needs or the current best option? 
• Work with Ed Tech and your ITSS to make informed Sustainability decisions 

Obtain new technology to reach your school’s technology vision

• What do you want technology in your building to look like in 5 years? 
• How will you get there? 

Train your teachers how to use and integrate technology.

• How do your teachers engage in professional development to become proficient with the technology they have available?
• How do your teachers can access to professional learning that impacts their instruction with technology? 

Resources

Ed Tech and ECTS have partnered together to provide a variety of technology planning tools. Partner with Ed Tech and your ITSS to get find out how to use these tools for your school.

We will be hosting a tech planning open lab (drop-in) on January 25th from 12:00-3:30. Come get support from Ed Tech and IT as you work on your technology planning template.
Interested? Let us know by filling out this Interest Form.

Please contact your Ed Tech Specialist to get started with planning for technology at your school!