Is Technology Making a Difference? Update 3

These checklists are based on what I call the Johnson Hierarchical Technology Planning Model that looks something like this:

A more complete explanation can be found here.

Anyway, over the next 5 days or so, I will be putting my checklists for each level of planning on the Blue Skunk. I invite readers to please add, delete and/or comment to these.

Established Infrastructure
The district will have a reliable, adequate, cost-effective, and secure technology infrastructure that supports the learning, teaching, and administrative goals of the district. Indicators of success:

Effective Administration
The district will use technology to improve its administrative effectiveness through efficient business practices, communication, planning and record keeping. 

Extensive Resources
Technology will be used to provide the most current, accurate and extensive information resources possible to all learners in the district and community in a cost effective and reliable manner at maximum convenience to the user.

• Access to professional library media specialist with skills in selecting, evaluating and using electronic information sources
• Internet access filtered or monitored to meet government requirements
• Access to on-line building library catalog
• Access to on-line district union library catalog
• Access to on-line catalogs of public, regional and academic libraries
• Access to adequate on-line periodical databases
• Access to adequate on-line subject-specific databases
• Access to adequate on-line reference materials including encyclopedias
• Access to adequate digital image, sound and video resources
• Access to curriculum and teacher support materials
• Access to a wide variety of computerized productivity programs appropriate to student ability level such as AppleWorks, Microsoft Office, HyperStudio, KidPix, Inspiration, digital still and video photography editing, and graphing programs
• Access to educational television programming and services
• Access to desktop video conferencing stations
• Access to a wide range of educational computer programs including practices, simulations and tutorials
• Ability to electronically publish and share school-produced information
• Other?
  

Enhanced Teaching
All district teachers will have the technology training, skills and resources needed to assure students will meet local and state learning objectives and have the technological means to assess and record student progress.

 Empowered Learners
All students will demonstrate the mastered use of technology to access, process, organize, communicate and evaluate information in order to answer questions and solve problems.