Matthew Hall ITEC 7410 Borup Spring 2014

Vision Paper The vision of Wilcox County Schools is to provide a modern learning community Where all educators, staff, and parents Inspire students to Learn and master Curriculum that allows Opportunity for all graduates to eXcel academically, socially, and professionally. We plan to fulfill this vision by providing all students with access to technology that will assist them in: becoming proficient in reading, writing, and mathematics becoming prepared for their next level of education successfully attaining the skills and proficiencies required of todays work force Administrator Role: As the instructional leaders of the school, the administration team will coordinate professional development opportunities to all staff members. They will work with staff to determine weak areas of instruction that would benefit from further trainings. These opportunities will be designed to provide teachers with ideas, resources, support, and modeling practices of engaged learning. Administrators will work to build knowledge of technology within in the staff to encourage its use within classrooms. A School Technology Plan (STP) will be created or revised through school-wide discussions and the acknowledgment of all opinions, concerns, and questions relevant to effective technology use. During the creation and implementation of the STP, administration will create a team of proficient faculty to play leading roles in coaching others and to help monitor the schools progress. Teacher Role: First, teachers will take all advantages of Professional Development opportunities to better their knowledge of instructional technology and its many uses and benefits. Teachers will develop their lesson plans to include instructional delivery practices that support the national technology standards. They will utilize available technology (SmartBoards, Student Response Systems, Document Cameras, ChromeBooks, etc.) to aid in the seamless learning of students. They will maintain equitable access to technology for all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, abilities, backgrounds, etc. (Creighton, 2003). Teachers will research different options of assistive technology to ensure fair access to students with disabilities or ESOL students. Teachers will aim to gear technology use in productive ways that facilitate authentic, student-centered activities. By utilizing varieties of digital tools (Padlet, Wiki, Twitter, etc.) teachers will become facilitators and guides to the collaborative learning students are directing in their engagement activities.

Matthew Hall ITEC 7410 Borup Spring 2014

Support Staff Role: Support Staff will follow all initiatives identified in the STP and will follow guidelines set up by their leading teacher to aid in the usage of instructional technology within the classroom. They can help to maintain and transport any tools, as directed. The will monitor students use of technology in any area of the school (classroom, media center, computer lab, etc.) and report and misuse or malfunctions. Support Staff will also be offered the opportunities to attend the Professional Development sessions that are relevant to their positions. Student Role: Students will make use of technology tools presented to them by their teachers. They will act as professionals and treat the technology as educational tools and not toys/games. Students will collaborate with peers and others on the best uses of the digital media they are using within the school. They will implore the technologies being used to help solve problems and/or create products. Students will respect the technology in the understanding that it is an aid to their education. They will help teachers by providing commentary on tools that are beneficial as well as those that are not. Parent Role: Parents will first help to instill proper technology tool usage in their children. They will teach their children to respect the tools they are using at school and not mishandle or misuse them. When available, they will allow their children to use personal technology at home to engage in meaningful learning activities. They will also become involved by monitoring their childrens progress and communicating with teachers and other school personnel using digital tools. Stakeholder Role: Stakeholders from within the community will be available to offer knowledge of any resources or new trends they may find available for the schools technology implementation. When available, they will offer assistance to secure funding for technology. Stakeholders will also be available to be present within the school to discuss the different technology uses they are involved with through their profession. These discussions would be presentations geared toward students as an instructional aid to the teacher.

Sources: Creighton, T. (2003). The principal as the technology leader. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.