Technology Needs

Use the contents of this page to guide your "Reframing" discussions. Refer to the "Technology Needs" section of your guidebook.

Establish /ensure internet access for all students	Data from technology director, internet provider, parents surveys
Do all students in your district have access to the Internet at home?	Article – Digital Equity- Supporting Students & Families in Out-of-School Learning Survey Example – The district calls households using its phone notification system Survey Example – Ellenville School District Internet/Technology Access Survey
What are the barriers to internet access in the home?	Article – Student Access to Digital Learning Resources Outside of the Classroom
How can we ensure equal access to digital learning?	Article – Hotspot discount programs are ending. What other options are there? Article – Creativity in crisis: WiFi buses narrow the digital divide

Hardware Needs

What devices are available, what are needed for purchase?

What are the districts’ needs for student devices moving forward for the 2020-2021 school year?

District Technology Inventory

What is the need for student WIFI and how can we add more access points for students to access WIFI?

Article – Access Points

Cost
Locations

Software Needs	Make determinations on software purchases
Any Prebuilt Content that can be modified to help teachers have a starting point?
What are our teachers’ needs during virtual learning?	Article – 10 Strategies for Online Learning During a Coronavirus Outbreak

Tech-related Training for Students

What training is necessary? Who will plan and provide?

What training and support is needed for preschool, elementary, middle and high school students to support knowledge, fluency, and engagement of technology for remote learning?

Resource Guide – Resource – Remote Learning Resource Guide During the Coronavirus Pandemic Ordered School-Building Closure

Website Resource- https://code.org/

Article – What should a Preschooler Know About Technology?

Article – How to Integrate Technology

Does the district’s plan for remote learning include technology training/tutorials and supports for students and families?

Example – Wake County Public School System

Tech-related Training for Caregivers	What training is necessary? Who will plan and provide?
How can we find out what caregivers already know about technology?	Survey to find out what parents/caregivers already know or what they would like to know
How much time do caregivers have to learn something new?	Articles and/or videos on tech tools YouTube Playlists Website – Ditch That Textbook
What training and support is available for caregivers so that they can support their students at home?	Article – LAUSD Survey: 64% of Parents Need More Tech Training for Remote Learning The Parent’s Guide to Educational Technology

Tech-related Training for Teachers	What training is necessary? Who will plan and provide?
What are the school’s technology needs?	Needs Assessment Future Ready Planning Dashboard
How can our school create a culture and conditions for innovation and change in the area of educational technology?	Article with video- Creating a Culture and Conditions for Innovation and Change
How will we ensure that technology is enabling our school to gather strong formative and summative assessment data to inform instruction?	Article: Measuring for Learning
How will our school ensure that all teachers receive adequate training to use technology with their students?	Survey Example Survey Example Survey Example

Focus on Equity	Equity in education means that each child has access to relevant and challenging academic experiences and educational resources necessary for success. Equity must remain at the forefront of short- and long-term goals, responses and supports.
What uses of technology can schools use to promote learning, development and success for ALL students?	Article – Equity During COVID-19 Means Meeting Every Student’s Unique Need Article – Smart Tech Use for Equity
How can schools create a robust infrastructure that goes beyond connecting students to the internet and provides state-of-the-art digital learning resources, encourages responsible citizenship, and protects student data and privacy that can be used in school and at home?	Article with videos – Equity During COVID-19 Means Meeting Every Student’s Unique Need Article – How Access to Technology Can Create Equity in Schools Article – Closing the Digital Learning Gap Survey Example
How can schools determine if their uses of technology support a vision of equity?	Article – Toolkit for “Smart Tech Use for Equity” Survey Example Sample Survey Answers

Partnerships	Partners represent the collective action needed to support each child and increase the likelihood of student success. Evaluate and elaborate on how the extending and leveraging partnerships can apply to this area.
Are there any local partnerships to support (devices) technology for students and parents?	Strategies to Support Learning Along a Continuum of Internet Access
Are there any local partnerships to support Internet access?	Identifying Internet Providers and Getting Connected
How can we seek out support necessary for our students to have access at home?	Article – How to Engage Community Partners Article – Collaboration: Partnerships and Beyond Working With Administration, Staff, Parents and the Community Allows Complete Integration of New Technology Resources Website – Future Ready Planning Dashboard

Quality Schools

The entire school must commit to educating and supporting students so they acquire the knowledge and skills needed for future success. Those working inside and outside of the school should have a shared definition of future success. A shared understanding will help each child reach his or her goal.

What tools or supports do leaders need to maintain a strong knowledge base in technology to ensure high quality schools?

Article – The Empowered Superintendent

How can school leaders develop a shared vision for how technology can support learning?

Article – Eight Ways to Model Technology Use

Article – Office of Educational Technology

Thank you to the collaborative group who created the discussion questions and contents of this page:
Wendi Moorman – Mercer County ESC
Ed Mackiewicz – Trumbull Count ESC
Amy Rossler – Trumbull County ESC
Caren Maniaci – Muskingum Valley ESC