Page 82 - Lakeland Catholic Technology Plan

“A CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS OPENING HEARTS MINDS AND DOORS....”
GOAL SIX MANAGEMENT, PLANNING AND PARTNERSHIPS
Introduction
The Information Age is rapidly changing our society and schools. Advancements are taking place so rapidly that many of the technologies we will be using in the next few years may not yet be on the drawing board. Technology investments will be required on an annual ba- sis to maintain, replace, update and expand technology opportunities for our students and staff.
Initially, we must manage, implement and renew regularly the District Technology Plan to maximize the educational impact and use of our technology investments in an effective, efficient and systematic manner using partnerships and other collaborative opportunities. We must anticipate educational needs and technological opportunities so that we can shape a future that will best serve our students. We must foster using technology to its greatest potential for improving learning, instruction and administration at all levels.
Note:Alberta Learning Technology Integration Fund Grants for all provincial schools totals $60,000,000 over the 2000 to 2003 period. In a recent announcement, all of these funds will be available in the year 2000.
Note: Any major changes in the Wide Area Network should be taken cautiously and in con- sultation with Alberta Education as the Alberta Government may be announcing a major development for the implementation of a high-speed telecommunications network infra- structure in Alberta. This network would be built over the next three years and could poten- tially save school districts considerable dollars.
Benchmarks, Practices, Targets and Standards
This does not mean technology is a panacea for all education-related challenges, but rather as an effective tool for improving learning, instruction and administration at all levels. Ac- cording to a 1996 Rand Corporation (http://rand.org) study, Fostering the Use of Educa- tional Technology: Elements of a National Strategy by Glennan and Melmed (1996),
“We know that successful technology-rich school generate impressive results for students, including improved achievement; higher test scores; improved student attitude, enthusiasm, and engagement; richer classroom content; and improved student retention and job placement rates.” and
“... a ten year study supported by Apple Computer, Inc. concluded that students provided with technology-rich learning environments, “continued to do well on standardized tests but were also developing a variety of competencies not usually meas- ured. Students explored and represented information dynamically and in many forms; be- came socially aware and more confident; communicated effectively about complex proc- esses; became independent learners and self-starters; knew their areas of expertise and shared that expertise spontaneously.” (Apple Computer, Inc.,1995).
In addition, Elizabeth Wellburn of the B.C. Ministry of Education (http://www.etc.bc.ca/lists/nuggets/EdTech_report.htm) conducted a review of the literature in 1996 called, The Status of Technology in the Education System. She reported that the literature review indicated that the top ten reasons for using technology are to assist with educational goals such as:
1. individualization.
2. increasing proficiency of accessing, evaluating and communicating information.
3. increasing quality and quantity of students’ thinking and writing.
4.improving students’ ability to solve complex problems (a skill that cannot be “taught” , but which appears to develop in a more focused manner when productivity tools are avail- able).
5. nurturing artistic expression (many flexible tools are available).
6. increasing global awareness.
7. creating opportunities for students to do meaningful work (work that reaches out and has value outside school — e.g., is presented to an audience other than the teacher).
8. providing access to high-level and high-interest courses (even in Districts where some courses have been impossible to offer).
9. making students feel comfortable with the tools of the Information Age (which they are almost certain to use in their future).
10. increasing the productivity and efficiency of schools.
81