Technology Plan

New Lebanon Central School District

2005-2008

6/10/05

(revised January 2006)

Introduction

The New Lebanon CSD Technology Committee developed a Technology Plan for the District in 1997. This plan served as a road map for technology integration in the school district and guided the development of the current infrastructure that presently exists. It was the committee’s decision at that time to revisit the plan and revise it every three years, due to the continual and rapid changes in technology. This current plan represents our vision, current assessment, and future goals for technology in the district, more specifically our goals for September 2005 – June 2008.

This revised plan focuses on using the technology already in place to its full potential to support our educational mission. It also insures that we maintain, upgrade and protect the investment the district and community has already made.

Mission Statement

In partnership with the community, we are committed to providing educational experiences that nurture growth, cultivate interests, and develop talents to enable all students to become successful, responsible, life-long learners in a changing world.

Belief Statement

• Classroom instruction and information management can be strengthened through the effective use of technology.
• Skillful use of technology supports the development of process skills such as flexibility, adaptability, critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration, which are essential to success in our rapidly changing information age.
• Technology allows us to better serve the diverse learning styles of our students and educate them for a wider range of intelligence.
• The use of technology where appropriate will help us meet or exceed all New York State Learning Standards.
• Technology should be a tool used to increase student achievement.
• The appropriate integration of technology may necessitate a change in curriculum and instructional delivery.
• Students need to be able to use a wide variety of technological tools to enhance their future success as students and workers.

Vision

The New Lebanon Central School District’s vision is to develop life-long learners who are confident in using technology in a variety of ways. More specifically the district believes that:

• Technology is a tool for education to support learners in solving problems, developing critical thinking skills, communicating ideas, and working collaboratively on multi-disciplinary projects.
• Professional development for educators is imperative if technology is to be effectively used in the teaching/learning process.
• Learning is a constructivist process where students create their own knowledge through active participation in complex, meaningful tasks.
• Recognizing the critical role our schools play in bringing our community together, the technology should serve the public, not just during school hours, but after hours. Our computer/technology labs should function as vital community centers, places for recreation and learning and gathering places for young people and adults alike. Our vision is that children, adults, families and the whole community will benefit as the school provides access to technology and provides a safe, friendly and enriching environment.

A Vision for Students

Our vision for New Lebanon Central School District students is:

• That they become self directed learners who set priorities, use appropriate technology to access information and reach goals, and evaluate and manage their own progress toward their goals based on quality indicators.
• That they become complex thinkers who identify, analyze, integrate and apply information, utilize multiple frames of reference, and solve complex problems.
• That they become cooperative workers who participate in collaborative problem solving, evaluate and manage their own behavior as a group member, and are connected to others through a world wide network.
• That they become effective communicators who use technology to navigate through information, communicate in a variety of situations, and apply information to problem solving.
• That they become innovative and quality producers who create original quality educational products and use appropriate up-to-date technology.

To achieve this vision, the district must adopt four agendas for reform. Firstly, the district’s curriculum aligned with New York State Standards has been restructured to allow students to focus on carefully selected objectives, themes and concepts, which are reinforced through the integrated use of technology. Secondly, students are active learners in constructing their own knowledge and understanding. Such learning takes place through interaction and support of people and tools. Thirdly, students must be challenged to demonstrate their newly constructed knowledge through inquiry-based projects, which require the application of skills from all curriculum areas. Fourthly, varied technologies shall be incorporated into the curriculum as tools to support the teaching and learning capabilities of students with different learning styles and educational needs.

Student Technology Learning Goals

The following broad goals reflect the desired outcomes of students graduating from the New Lebanon Junior/Senior High School. In order for students to successfully complete these goals, technology can no longer be viewed as an extra or spare time activity and will have to be integrated into each classroom beginning in the primary grades. Key categories for student goals presented in this document are communication, information processing, and productivity. A broad overview of K-12 goals is presented in each category.

Communication

• Students will use technology to communicate effectively and creatively.
• Students will communicate through application software by creating documents, spreadsheets and databases.
• Students will communicate visually, graphically and artistically using multimedia presentations. They will use a variety of technologies such as computers, projectors, scanners, copiers, digital cameras, video and audio equipment and other emerging technologies.
• Students will have the opportunity to communicate using video conferencing.

Information Processing

• Students will use technology to access, retrieve, interpret and evaluate visual and auditory information.
• Students will use search strategies to retrieve information.
• Students will use on-site electronic resources (encyclopedias, catalogs and hand held learning tools).
• Students will use the network to access information such as on-line databases, libraries and electronic bulletin boards.
• Students will use telephones and Internet to send and retrieve information.

Productivity

• Students will use technology and its applications to maximize productivity and skill development.
• Students will use technology to develop learning and workplace skills.
• Students will use technology to support the development of process skills in all content areas.
• Students will use technology to develop strategies for problem solving and critical and creative thinking.
• Students will create quality multi-media products.
• Students will develop creativity and innovation through the use of technology.
• Students will select and access technology appropriate to their needs.
• Students will use correct starting and exiting procedures.
• Students will develop keyboarding skills.
• Students will operate peripheral devices.
• Students will use technology independently and cooperatively.
• Students will use technology safely and ethically.

K-4^th Grade learning goals for Communications, Information Processing and Productivity

Students leaving 4^th grade will meet the goals outlined below.

K-4^th Grade Communications Learning Goals

• Create written documents using word processing skills, writing process steps and publishing programs.
• Use electronic spell checker/thesaurus.
• Create simple graphics.

K-4^th Grade Information Processing Learning Goals

• Use search strategies such as keywords.
• Use electronic encyclopedias, Internet and library catalogs.
• Cite sources.
  
  

K-4^th Grade Productivity Learning Goals

• Select and use technology appropriate to needs and use software for computer- assisted instruction.
• Use an expanded technology vocabulary.
• Demonstrate basic file and print management techniques.
• Use technology independently and cooperatively.
• Develop keyboarding skills at 8-10 wpm with hands on home row keys at least 80% of the time.
• Demonstrate respect for others’ files/work.
• Sign and abide by user agreement.
• Take proper care of equipment and use it safely with attention to head, arm, hand, and feet position

Grades 5 and 6 learning goals for Communications, Information Processing and Productivity

Students leaving 6^th grade will meet the goals outlined below.

5^th and 6th Grade Communication Learning Goals

• Use computer graphics programs.

• Produce a document using word processing incorporating both text and graphics and following the writing process steps.
• Communicate through spreadsheets by entering data, setting up formulas and creating graphs and charts to visually represent data.
• Collect, manipulate and interpret data.
• Use publishing software to produce page layouts.
• Create multimedia presentations which link various media including video and audio.

5^th and 6th Grade Information Processing Learning Goals

• Back up any electronic work.
• Use proper disk maintenance.

• Use search strategies such as keywords to search for information.
• Use electronic encyclopedias, almanacs, indexes, Internet and electronic library catalogs.
• Formally cite sources.
• Develop awareness of validity of resources.

5^th and 6th Grade Productivity Learning Goals

• Use software to learn new concepts.
• Select and use technology appropriate to needs.

• Develop keyboarding skills at 10-16 wpm with correct body posture and fingering position on all keys using touch-typing at least 80% of the time.
• Operate peripheral devices.
• Use applications to create quality products.
• Develop creativity and innovation through the use of technology.
• Care for software and use it safely.
• Understand the basic capabilities and limitations of technology’s hardware and software.
• Use technology vocabulary and knowledge.
• Use technology independently and cooperatively.
• Use preventative maintenance (troubleshooting) skills.

Grades 7 through 10 learning goals for Information Processing and Productivity

Students leaving the 10^th grade will be able to complete all the previous technology learning goals and the following specific tasks:

• Follow fair use and copyright guidelines.
• Understand copyright laws and other ethical issues pertaining to the use of technology in society.
• Understand the social implications of technology in society.

• Identify capabilities and limitations of contemporary and emerging technology resources and assess the potential of these systems and services to address personal lifelong learning and workplace needs.
• Make informed choices among technology systems, resources, and services.
• Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of wide spread use and reliance on technology in the workplace and in society as a whole.
• Demonstrate and advocate for legal and ethical behaviors among peers, family and community regarding the use of technology and information.
• Use technology tools and resources for managing and communicating personal/professional information (e.g. finances, schedules, addresses, purchases, correspondence).
• Evaluate technology-based options, including distance and distributed education, for lifelong learning.
• Routinely and efficiently use online information resources to meet needs for collaboration, research, publications, communications and productivity.
• Select and apply technology tools for research, information analysis, problem solving and decision making in content learning.
• Investigate and apply expert systems, intelligent agents, and simulations in real world situations.
• Collaborate with peers, experts and others to contribute to a content-related knowledge base by using technology to compile, synthesize, produce and disseminate information, models and other creative works.

Administrative Technology Goals

Goal 1: Administration and Management

All administrative staff will have the capacity to use appropriate technology in order to acquire information and to coordinate the connecting and sharing of all educational resources among all district buildings and personnel, thereby improving administrative and management effectiveness.

Goal 2: Communication and Information Access

Up-to-date hardware and software will be acquired that will enable all faculty and staff, students, parents and community members to utilize the full dimension and benefits of the latest in communication and information access technology within the district.

Goal 3: Professional Development

Ongoing staff training will be provided to all faculty and staff so that technology can be used to emphasize, promote and enhance teaching competencies as well as improve administrative efficiencies.

Goal 4: Funding Resources

Funding mechanisms will be researched and produced that will allow for the acquisition, development, support and maintenance of current and future technologies.

Goal 5: Community Connections

A school-to-community link will be encouraged that will allow the entire community to benefit from the technology in the schools.

Software Selection and Use Guidelines

The selection and use of software and electronic media will seek to:

• Provide an exploratory environment that encourages risk taking, leading to an appreciation of life-long learning.
• Provide opportunities for problem solving and development of organizational skills.
• Develop and promote independence and appropriate social skills.
• Provide motivation and/or an alternative means of learning and processing information.
• Reduce the gap between those who have computers at home and those who do not have computers at home.
• Provide opportunities for cooperative learning.
• Promote respect and proper use of equipment.
• Provide the opportunity to learn and apply strategies using current methods and materials.
• Establish a positive outlet for students’ inquisitive nature, capturing motivation and self-confidence at critical points of their development.

Technology Plan Implementation

The technology plan will continue to be implemented with integrated district-wide and site-based delivery priorities. The first priority has been to establish a basic core of technology common to all buildings and work sites and the second priority has been to generate site-based delivery options to allow each location to address the unique mix of students and staff at that building.

Basic Core of Technology:

The purpose of this component is to provide a basic computer and telecommunications network that allows for maximum communications, connecting rooms within the building, buildings with in the district, as well as universal access to network resources throughout the state and the world. This component consists of the following items:

Equipment and Software Overview

1. Every building is wired to the district’s voice and data network standard thereby allowing for access to the network from any classroom and/or workstation in the district.

2. Classrooms at Walter B. Howard will have one mini-lab connected to the library and a learning lab consisting of 20 pc’s located adjacent to the library in room 23.

4. The Jr./Sr. High School will have at least one computer in every classroom that is connected to the network, a mini lab in each science room, the technology room and the library. The Jr./Sr. High School will also have a 20-station business lab for scheduled classroom instruction on application software and a 22-station library lab for flexible and/or spontaneous instruction that is integrated with the core curriculum.

Training and Professional Development Strategy

New Lebanon Central School district will implement a variety of staff development strategies to insure that teachers have the knowledge to integrate technology into their classes.

1. School technology team members will continue to be trained in software to provide leadership and technical training.

2. Staff members will be provided with fifteen (15) hours of training in Introduction to Networked Systems and Using Basic Network Software.

3. School Library Media Specialists will serve as technology coordinators at each school. They will receive on going training.

4. District will implement the train-the-trainer model in which selected staff will receive advanced training in various applications. They will then train other staff both formally and informally, in large and small group settings and one-on-one where necessary.

5. District will provide after school and summer workshops to teachers to integrate technology into their curriculum.

6. District will provide training to district staff for administration/management application software.

7. District will encourage attendance of teachers at technology related workshops and conferences.

8. District will provide Superintendent’s Conference Day workshops for staff in the computer labs

9. The district will post workshop materials on its Intranet to allow users access to workshop material for independent learning and for review purposes.

Current Technology Assessment/Goals 2005-2008

School	Total Number of Computers Including Labs	Total Number of Classrooms
Jr./Sr. High School (for student use)	110	30
Walter B. Howard Elementary School (for student use)	69	23
Administrative Staff	18

Location	Goal	Current status	Current Needs
JSHS Business lab	20 pcs (4 years old or less)	16 1999 models 4 2000 models	none
JSHS 18 Classrooms (excepting science)	1 pc for each room (4 years old or less)	1 2000 model 17 1-2 yr old models	none
JSHS Library/library lab	20 instructional pcs 6 research pcs	20 2005 models 6 2-4 yr old models	3 updated pcs
JSHS 4 Science Labs	4 instructional pcs per room	16 2001 models	none
JSHS Technology Lab	10 instructional pcs	10 2005 models	none
WBH Library	10 instructional pcs 1 administrative pc	5 pre 1999 model 5 post 1999 models	10 updated pcs
WBH 18 Regular ed Classrooms	3 pcs/room=54 pcs	18 pre 1999 models 36 post 1999 models	18 updated pcs
WBH 2 sped classrooms	5 pcs total	3 pre 1999 pcs	5 pcs
NLCSD Administration	18 pcs	6 pre 1999 12 post 1999	6 pcs
Student Support	5 pcs	5 pre 1999
Mini Lab	10 pcs	10 2001 models

* In future years computers that are 5 years old will be replaced. This means 20% of our computers will be replaced annually to ensure that the cost of replacement is distributed evenly. New computers purchased will go into the labs and the others will be redistributed to the classrooms. Master spreadsheets will be developed each containing the district’s inventory of pc’s, servers, printers, and other peripheral equipment. These spreadsheets will be maintained regularly to forecast future hardware needs.

Additional Peripherals

Digital Cameras: 4

Scanners: 3

Printers: 24

Multi-media Projectors: 5

Laptops: 2

Alpha Smarts: 28

Video conferencing system

Detailed inventories of district hardware and software are available upon request.

Pro Writers -2

Assessment of Jr./Sr. High School Instructional Computers

Business Lab - 20 computers

Library and Library Lab - 22 Computers

Three (3) science mini labs in classrooms have 4 computers each

Technology Lab Classroom has a mini lab of 10 computers

Thirty (30) Jr. Sr. High classrooms have at least one network computer each.

Goals at JSHS:

· Each teacher should have at least one computer in his/her classroom for administrative and instructional use.

· Library/library lab should have 22 computers for flexible and spontaneous small and large group instruction emphasizing curriculum integration.

· Business lab should have 20 computers for classroom instruction in application programs such as Microsoft Office.

· Technology lab should have 16 computers equipped with Auto CAD for classroom instruction.

· Each science lab should have 4 computers for integrating technology into the science curriculum as required by the N.Y.S. Math, Science and Technology Standards.

· The District will continue to research web-based applications for assessment and supplemental learning, examples include Plato, Vantage Learning and Online Thesaurus.

• Each classroom and workstation will be provided with at least three computers connected to the network. Each network computer will be equipped with Internet access, e-mail, word processing, network printer and student database applications as needed.

New computers will go into business lab and computers there will be moved into other areas.

Assessment of W.B.H. Elementary School Instructional Computers

All regular education classrooms at WBH have mini-labs consisting of 2 to 3 network computers.

The library has a mini-lab of 10 computers.

There are 2 special education rooms. 3 of these have 1 computer each.

23 of the computers at WBH are pre 1999 and need to be replaced.

Goals at WBH:

· Each regular ed. classroom K-6 should have 3 computers to support the integration of technology into classroom instruction.

· Other special education and special area teachers should have 1 computer for administrative and instructional use.

· The District will continue to research web-based applications for assessment and supplemental learning, examples include Plato, Vantage Learning and Online Thesaurus.

· To have functioning learning lab with 20 pcs containing various computer skills development programs.

• Each classroom and workstation will be provided with at least three computers connected to the network. Each network computer will be equipped with Internet access, e-mail, word processing, network printer and student database applications as needed.

Assessment of Administrative Needs

We currently have 18 pcs used for administrative purposes. Six of these are pre-1999 models and need to be replaced to accommodate our increased reliance on WinSchool software and Parts 200 to meet state requirements in the areas of attendance reporting and special education reporting.

Current Network Infrastructure Assessment

The network is built on Windows NT 4.0 technology with clients running Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Connectivity is achieved using a 1000 Mb fiber optic backbone connected by 100 Mb Cisco catalyst switches. The Windows NT domain, named NLCSDCURR, contains a primary domain controller, three backup domain controllers, and two DHCP (Dynamic Host Core Protocol) servers (one at each building) used to give clients an IP address. These servers, along with all other devices on the network, capture the DNS server information from Adirondack Area Network, the internet service provider. Applications are generally split between the buildings with the exception of Winschool and the Spectrum Library Catalog by Sagebrush.

Goals for Network Infrastructure over the course of this three-year plan

• To achieve greater reliability, ease of management, lower cost of ownership and improved performance, the network will be migrated to Windows 2003 Active Directory with Exchange 2003. This will be achieved using a step-by-step process in which one server at a time will be upgraded to Windows 2003. The DHCP, WINS and DNS services will be consolidated onto Windows 2003 servers. Once all member servers have been upgraded, the move to Active Directory will take place.
• Distribute the Winschool and Spectrum applications so that they are running independently at each building.
• Replace all IBM-based servers throughout the district with Dell systems.
• Utilize login scripts more effectively to automate network file sharing.
• To convert all server-based network printing to IP printing using dedicated print server equipment. Ten (10) units will be needed.

Software Assessment

All post 1999 computers are equipped with Windows 98 and Microsoft Office 2000.

All computers in the technology lab have Auto CAD software installed.

The library lab has C++ and Java.

Our special education software is presently web-based.

Our administrative software program is Chancery WinSchool. This is used for automated scheduling, attendance, health records, discipline records and report cards.

Our library catalog software is currently Spectrum by Sagebrush.

To comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) the district has purchased filtering hardware and software.

The district will continue to upgrade its Norton Anti Virus software program.

Software Upgrade plans:

• Norton Anti Virus (ongoing updates)
• Windows 98 to Windows XP
• WinSchool (ongoing updates)
• Microsoft Office 2000
• District Office will change over to Finance Manager
• Windows 2003 active directory
• Implement pinpoint for Spectrum to allow Internet access of our library catalogue.

Internet Safety/CIPA

In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act the district is in the process of acquiring and installing filtering software on all computers in the district that can access the Internet. This software will ensure that all visual depictions are blocked if they are obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors. All students using networked computers that access the Internet are required to read and sign and have a parent or guardian read and sign our acceptable use policy. If students are 18 years of age or older they are required to sign the A.U.P. but do not need a parent’s or guardian’s signature. A teacher or classroom aide also monitors students while they are on the Internet or accessing the District’s network. Students may not use a computer connected to the Internet unless there is an adult present.
(A copy of the Districts AUP is available upon request.)

Servers: Future Needs:

Our servers need to be upgraded every three years to accommodate expanding network use and to ensure that our network runs reliably and efficiently.

We recommend purchasing:

• 2 servers to manage our software per year.
• 6 print servers to free up the existing print server and will improve printer performance in the classrooms

The district will continue to purchase battery backups for each server to prevent network down time and long term damage to servers caused by power outages.

A file back-up system will be included with the purchase of all new servers.

Wiring:

All classrooms and administrative areas are wired and connected to the network. There are no current wiring needs at this time and there are extra drops in each room to allow for future expansion.

Telecommunications:

The district contracts with Questar III through the Instructional Technology Coser to receive its Internet access and video conferencing capabilities/system. Adirondack Area Network is our Internet service provider. Taconic still hosts our web page, which is maintained by in district staff.

Staffing/network support

· The district has contracted with Questar III for the services of a Network Systems Engineer to come to the district three days a week to maintain and troubleshoot our network and computer systems and to provide help desk support for users.

· Technology Coordinators serve on the technology committee, coordinates professional/staff development, maintains web page and works with teachers on technology integration in curriculum.

• The District’s technology committee consists of administrators, teachers, library media specialists, technical support personnel and community members. The committee meets monthly to determine needs, policies and planning for technology needs of the district.

Financial Plan

The following is a 3year financial plan that will allow us to maintain and upgrade our current technology infrastructure as well as provide intelligent access to that technology through ongoing support of professional development for our staff.

This plan will support our overall goal to improve teaching and learning in the New Lebanon Central School District and prepare our students with the skills and knowledge they need for the 21^st century.

Annual Expense Projections:

	2005-2006	2006-2007	2007-2008
Network Equipment	7,000	7,000	7,000
Work Stations	27,200	27,200	27,200
Peripherals	2,000	3,000	3,000
Instructional Software	500	600	600
Non-instructional Software	11,800	12,500	13,200
Staff Development	4,000	4,000	4,000
Network Systems Engineer	39,900	41,496	43,155
Contractual Technical Support	5,077	6,000	6,200
Internet and WAN Costs	26,227	27,000	28,000
Operating Costs and Supplies	2,000	2,000	2,000
Total	125,704	130,796	134,355

Annual Revenue Projections

	2002-2003	2003-2004	2004-2005[DS1]
District Funding	20,000 Hardware 20,000 Contractual 39,900 Network Engineer	20,000 Hardware 20,000 Contractual 41,996 Network Engineer	20,000 Hardware 20,000 Contractual 43,155 Network Engineer[n2]
E-Rate Reimbursements	44,028	44,028	44,028[n3]
Special Funds (grants)	10,000	10,000	10,000[n4]
Total	133,928	136,024	137,183[n5]

Evaluation:

The district’s Technology Committee will evaluate and monitor the impact of technology on teaching and learning in the context of New York State Learning Standards to ensure that its investment in technology is maximized.

This evaluation process will address such issues as:

• The degree to which technology has been incorporated into the curriculum in various subject areas.
• Which applications of technology have had the most or least affect on student outcomes.
• The correlation between the use of technology and improved assessment results.
• The impact of staff development on the use of technology in the classroom.

Evaluation tools will include:

• Surveys that assess technology literacy skills of staff and extent of integration of those skills into curriculum and classroom management tasks.
• Computer training session exit surveys.
• Assessments of students’ skills in using technology.
• Annual self-assessment surveys of students’ computer skills.
• Assessment of computer-related student projects.
• Degree of student use of technology.
• State tests.
• Standardized tests.

The information gathered will identify areas that need further attention as well as those that produce intended results and may be continued and/or expanded.

Technology Budget 2005/2006

PC replacement plan: The Technology committee recommends replacing PC’s once they are 5 years old (20% per year). By replacing 20% of our PC’s per year we will distribute the cost over the years. New computers will go in the labs and older ones will go into classrooms at the HS. At WBH the newer ones will go to the upper