Technology Plan Evaluation: Module 3

Group Members:
Angela Clark
Briana Dunckley
Joy McCook

Georgia Southern University

Fall 2016
Dr. Charles Hodges
Paulding County Technology Plan
Annotated Resources

Anderson, Larry (1994, Spring). Guidebook for an Effective Technology Plan. National Center
for Technology Planning, 2, 16-26. Retrieved from
http://www.nctp.com/downloads/guidebook.pdf

In this guidebook, there are two different sections that discuss the importance of mission
statements and philosophy of instructional technology. A mission statement and a philosophy are
the foundation to a strong technology plan. The reason being that they explain the who, what,
where, when, and why of instructional technology. The most important of those ws being the
why. When change happens, especially in schools, it can be unsettling for both the students and
the teachers. This guidebook explains why having a strong mission statement and philosophy
from the start will help reassure others that this new library or school is headed in a positive
direction. The guidebook states that the philosophy is important because it establishes the goals
of the future and ultimately brings peace to the present. The mission and vision statement help
show teachers, students, faculty, staff, parents, and the community what is desired and what
intrinsic and extrinsic factors it is going to take to get there. This resource really helped us in
developing our criteria for our rubric on the mission and vision statement area.

DeKalb County School District. (2015). DeKalb County Technology Plan. Retrieved from
http://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/tech-plan/files/2016/06/tech-plan.pdf

Immediately after opening up the DeKalb County Technology Plan, it is apparent this district
takes into account how their school and community feel about the technological initiative.
Administering surveys to students, teachers, staff, and parents is important prior to creating a
technology plan because it allows others to have a voice in the process. If people feel like they
are a part of the creation, they will be more likely to advocate for the creation. For example,
DeKalb County includes feedback delivered in many different formats, bulleted lists, graphs, and
tables. Students, parents, and even the business community were all invited to participate in these
surveys prior to the writing of the technology plan. DeKalb Technology Plan published the
results of questions involving blended learning, 1 to 1 learning, school portals, school website,
communication, and much more. Additionally, with the results DeKalb County received, the plan
then lays out exactly what will be done in the future to ensure the concerns expressed in the
surveys were addressed. By allowing their community and entire school to get involved in this
plan will help the transition in a more technologically competent support system. We used this as
an example to help us better determine what all should be included in a technology plan. It gave
us more resources for us to use on our rubric.

Eller, C. (2016). Savannah Chatham County Public School System Technology Design
 Guidelines. Retrieved from
http://internet.savannah.chatham.k12.ga.us/district/finance/Purchasing/Attachments/RFP
%2016-
53%20Data%20Cabling%20New%20Brock%20Elementary/Technology%20Design%20
Plan%20ver%202016.1.9.pdf

This technology design plan for Savannah Chatham County Public School System describes the
standards, guidelines, and procedures for technology. This plan by Carl Eller describes their
procurement and installation responsibilities, the standards, the details for setting up both the
hardware and software including room design information including a standard classroom, a
computer lab, the media center, administrative areas, welcoming room, common areas, gym,
teacher workroom, cafeteria, and multipurpose rooms. We used this as an example to help us
better determine what all should be included in a technology plan. It gave us more resources for
us to use on our rubric.

Falana, R. (2014). Burke County School System Three-Year Technology Plan. Retrieved from
https://d3jc3ahdjad7x7.cloudfront.net/8cEZs8zgYeqsnPmIgBkog5eY6v83KQBNxfmbT
RMNPFwArhrK.pdf

In this three year technology plan, Rudy Falana describes the Burke County School Systems
vision and mission statement as well as including information about technology access in the
county. He discusses their current reality which includes access to technology, how that
technology is used, their gap analysis, goals, benchmarks, evaluation plan, budget, responsibility
list and their timeline that affects all of these items. He describes their communication and
marketing plans and describes how these plans integrate with other long-term initiatives in the
county. He describes their professional development with technology and their Eighth Grade
Technology Literacy Plan. He concludes with their interoperability and redeployment procedures
as well as their internet safety policy and the acceptable use policy. We used this as an example
to help us better determine what all should be included in a technology plan. It gave us more
resources for us to use on our rubric.

Ganas, S. (2014). Ware County School System Three Year Technology Plan. Retrieved from
http://www.ware.k12.ga.us/docs/district/depts/28/2014-2017-technologyplan.pdf

In this three year technology plan, Sam Ganas explains the vision for the technology use in the
Ware County School System. He explains the current use of technology by teachers and students,
administrators, as well as how parents use technology. He further explains the school systems
technology readiness and support system. He discusses how the school system communicates
these findings out to all involved parties including stakeholders as well as how they can use
marketing to increase the use of technology. He also discusses how the school system uses
professional development and the funds used to do so. He concludes with their countys
employee and student acceptable use forms and their internet safety policy. We used this as an
example to help us better determine what all should be included in a technology plan. It gave us
more resources for us to use on our rubric.

Georgia Department of Education: Instructional Technology. (2015). Retrieved from

http://www.gadoe.org/Technology-Services/Instructional-Technology/Pages/default.aspx

The Division of Instructional Technology at the GaDOE is involved with Georgia schools,
RESA, LEA, and offices of GaDOE to support student achievement. This site includes the
template for technology plans that many Georgia schools have used. Since most schools in
Georgia use this as a template, we felt it was an important resource for us to use as well. The
technology plan is designed to improve education. The Technology Inventory provides
collection of data on schools technology and infrastructure. This inventory fulfills the
requirements for E-Rate program. There is a step-by-step guide to Cybersafety. This includes
policies and agreements for staff, students, and parents and implementation of safety and security
systems.

Jackson, Lorrie. (2005, February 23). Retrieved from

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech212.shtml

The National Education Technology Plan: An Interview with OET Director Susan Patrick
In this insightful interview with Susan Patrick, one of her biggest focuses when developing a
technology plan is that of the leadership department. She is not just talking about administration,
even though she does say administrators are sometimes the farthest behind times and do realize
how far behind they are. However, she expresses the importance in advocating leadership
across the board. When developing a technology plan, think about turning students into teachers
and turning teachers into leaders. With the hierarchy of leadership, everyone will feel
accountable for his or her part. She uses phrases like supporting teachers and empowering
students. Often times when it comes to technology, there is a lack of confidence due to lack of
familiarization with the tech trend or fear of learning something new. Patrick focuses on the
importance of developing leaders and confidence when creating a technology plan. This resource
helped us identify different key roles played by personnel in the technology plan.

Liberty County Technology Department. (2015). Liberty County School System Instructional
Technology Plan for 2015-2016. Retrieved from
http://www.liberty.k12.ga.us/pdf/ITPlan.pdf

The Liberty County School System Instructional Technology Plan was written by the Liberty
County Technology Department. It is a one year plan. They discuss their technology goals and
show how they are organized by the SAMR design which means Substitution, Augmentation,
Modification, and Redefinition. They discuss their professional development plans in three tiers:
1) Professional Development for all teachers on the function of technology, 2) Professional
development that is data driven and often times merged with teaching and learning, and 3)
Professional Development that is targeted towards professional development plans and
individuals who have specific needs. They discuss their plans for media which includes but is
not limited to the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl and student media festivals. They include their
plan for improving student achievement for media literacy and their plan of support for all
teachers using technology. They also describe their innovative digital instruction which includes
iTunes and digital textbooks. We used this as an example to help us better determine what all
should be included in a technology plan. It gave us more resources for us to use on our rubric.

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Six Step Process in Creating a
Technology Plan. Retrieved from http://dese.mo.gov/quality-schools/education-
technology/six-step-process-creating-technology-plan

This is about selecting a committee for the technology plan. The six steps include purpose and
scope of the plan, size of the committee, identifying members, developing a format, orienting the
committee and communicating the plan. The technology plan should be embedded in the
districts improvement plan. After the formation of the committee, they will use their expertise in
five areas that consist of student learning, teacher preparation and delivery of instruction, data
management and communication process, resource distribution and technology support. The
selection of individuals for the committee is detailed. The members need to collaborate, able to
make good decisions, show support and be influential in decision making. This site shows the
importance of the committee because the technology plan is important.

Paulding County School District. (2014). Paulding County School District: Three Year
Technology Plan. Retrieved from http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/domain/207

This technology plan is the one our group is evaluating using our rubric. It is a three year
technology plan. It is setup describing the vision, the current reality, the gap analysis, and then it
gives goals, strategies, and benchmarks. It also describes it communicating and marketing plan,
professional development, and then they attached their appendices.

Scott, M. (2014). Houston County School System Three Year Technology Plan. Retrieved from
http://images.pcmac.org/Uploads/HoustonCS/HoustonCS/Sites/DocumentsCategories/Do
cuments/Houston%20County%20School%20System%20Three%20Year%20Technology
%20Plan%20%202014-2017.pdf

In this three year technology, Dr. Mark Scott discusses the vision and mission statements for
technology in Houston County School System. He discussed their current reality in which he
includes their access to technology and data sources, their actual technology use by students,
teachers, administrators, and parents. He also includes in their current reality the gap analysis.
Then he shows in detail their strategic plan for technology which includes the following goals:
student achievement, student and stakeholder engagement, organizational effectiveness, and
learning and growth. He then describes their communication and marketing goals as well as their
professional development for technology. He concludes with the internet acceptable use policy,
their web pages policy, the internet safety policy, their purchasing policy, their quality control
policy, the cost control policy, the standardization policy, and several other policies concerning
bids and vendors. We used this as an example to help us better determine what all should be
included in a technology plan. It gave us more resources for us to use on our rubric.

See, John. (2001, February). Developing Effective Technology Plans. National Center for
Technology Planning, 19. Retrieved from http://www.nctp.com/html/john_see.cfm

Developing Effective Technology Plans explains a key component of a successful school

technology plan: output, not input. Often times when a library or media center creates a plan in
order to initiate a stronger technological presence in the building, the idea is to bring in more
technology. However, that is not the appropriate way of advocating for change. As the article
states, Develop a plan that specifies what you want your students, staff, and administration to be
able to do with technology and let those outcomes determine the types and amount of technology
you will need. By focusing on the output rather than the input, schools and libraries are already
answering the question of why you need technology and not what technology do you need. A
successful and effective technology plan works on molding teachers, students, and faculty into
technological learners and digital innovators. We used this reference to know what is expected
on an effective technology plan.
 Technology Plan Rubric Created by Our Group
Scored Component 3- Excellent
Introduction The technology plan contains a
specific, well detailed mission or
vision statement that includes the
classroom needs for technology
and the impact that technology
has on learning.
Goals Goals are well written,
understandable, and achievable.
Goals include the following:
-A specific action plan in order to
achieve the goal.
-A specific deadline when the
goal should be met.
-Alignment with student, district,
and state visions
Professional Professional development
Development expectations are clear and level of
technological competency is
thoroughly and specifically
stated.
-Thoroughly explains how
teacher and facultys level of
technological skill will be
enhanced through various
strategies.
Assessment of The assessment of all
telecommunication telecommunications and
services, hardware, computer equipment is
software, and other comprehensive and contains
services needed detailed information on the
hardware resources, software,
telecommunication services, and
other services needed and how
the existing technology supports
the goals. The assessment also
includes any new hardware,
software, telecommunication
services, or other services needed
to make the technology support
the goals.
2- Adequate
The technology plan contains a
broad or generalized mission or
vision statement that does not
include all the classroom needs for
technology or the full impact that
technology has on learning.
Goals are vaguely stated without a
clear realistic vision. Goals include
some of the following but also might
have some missing.:
-A general action plan that will help
move towards a goal.
-A deadline but with no specific date
or no deadline at all..
-Loose alignment with student,
district, and state visions.
Professional development
expectations are rather broad and
dont thoroughly explain the
anticipated level of technological
competency.
-A vague explanation is given for
how technological skill will be
enhanced among teachers and staff.
The assessment of all
telecommunications and computer
equipment is rather broad and does
not contain specific detailed
information on the hardware
resources, software,
telecommunication services, and
other services needed and
somewhat explains how the existing
technology supports the goals. The
assessment also somewhat includes
any new hardware, software,
telecommunication services, or
other services needed to make the
technology support the goals.
1- Needs Improvement
The technology plan does not state
the mission or vision statement nor
does it include the classroom needs
for technology and the impact that
technology has on learning.
Goals are incredibly broad without
much direction or focus on
achievement.
Goals lack specific information on
action plans, deadlines, and student,
district, and state mission
statements.
-No goals or stated or goals do not
realistically express future
achievements and/or plans.
Professional development
expectations are not stated and do
not express level of technological
competency.
-No explanation is given for how
technological skill will be enhanced
in teacher, faculty, and staff.
Assessment is incomplete or missing
altogether on telecommunications
and assessment on the computer
equipment is missing or incomplete
regarding hardware resources,
software, telecommunication
services, and other services needed
nor does it explain how the existing
technology supports the goals. The
assessment also is missing any new
hardware, software,
telecommunication services, or other
services needed to make the
technology support the goals.
Accessibility of The technology plan thoroughly
technology lists the equipment that the
resources school already has access to. The
technology plan thoroughly
explains how the technology
equipment supports the schools
objective as well as the
technology being used for any
students with disabilities.
Maintenance The technology plan thoroughly
explains how existing and new
resources will be maintained,
who is responsible for the
maintenance, as well as any costs
incurred due to the maintenance.
Budget Budget including the costs and
funding of all items are clear and
specifically stated. Budget
explains where the funding will
come from as well as detail any
grants that can be applied for.
Ongoing evaluation Evaluation contains specifically
how the effectiveness of
technology purchases are
measured.
The technology plan lists the
equipment that the school already
has access to in a rather broad
manner.. The technology plan is
very general and broad in
explaining how the technology
equipment supports the schools
objective as well as the technology
being used for any students with
disabilities.
The technology plan somewhat
vaguely explains how existing and
new resources will be maintained,
who is responsible for the
maintenance, as well as any costs
incurred due to the maintenance.
Budget including some costs and
funding of items are rather broad
and not specifically stated. The
budget explains vaguely where the
funding will come from as well as
detail very generally any grants that
can be applied for.
Evaluation gives broad
generalizations on how the
effectiveness of technology
purchases are measured.
The technology plan does not lists
the equipment that the school
already has access to. The
technology plan does not explain
how the technology equipment
supports the schools objective and
is missing the technology being used
for any students with disabilities.
The technology plan does not
explain how existing or new
resources will be maintained, who is
responsible for the maintenance,
nor any costs incurred due to the
maintenance.
Budget is missing or does not
include costs and funding of items.
Budget does not explain where the
funding will come from.
Evaluation does not contain
specifically how the effectiveness of
technology purchases are measured
or the evaluation process is missing
all together.
 Technology Plan Rubric Used by Our Group to Evaluate Paulding County School Districts
Technology Plan http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/domain/207
Scored 3- Excellent
Component
Introduction The technology plan
contains a specific, well
detailed mission or
vision statement that
includes the classroom
needs for technology
and the impact that
technology has on
learning.
Goals Goals are well written,
understandable, and
achievable. Goals
include the following:
-A specific action plan in
order to achieve the
goal.
-A specific deadline
when the goal should be
met.
-Alignment with student,
district, and state visions
Professional -Professional
Development development
expectations are clear
and level of
technological
competency is
thoroughly and
specifically stated.
-Thoroughly explains
how teacher and
facultys level of
technological skill will
be enhanced through
various strategies.
Assessment The assessment of all
of telecommunications and
telecommuni computer equipment is
2- Adequate
The technology plan contains a
broad or generalized mission
or vision statement that does
not include all the classroom
needs for technology or the full
impact that technology has on
learning.
Goals are vaguely stated
without a clear realistic vision.
Goals include some of the
following but also might have
some missing.:
-A general action plan that will
help move towards a goal.
-A deadline but with no specific
date or no deadline at all..
-Loose alignment with student,
district, and state visions
-Professional development
expectations are rather broad
and dont thoroughly explain
the anticipated level of
technological competency.
-A vague explanation is given
for how technological skill will
be enhanced among teachers
and staff.
The assessment of all
telecommunications and
computer equipment is rather
1- Needs Improvement
The technology plan does
not state the mission or
vision statement nor does it
include the classroom needs
for technology and the
impact that technology has
on learning.
Goals are incredibly broad
without much direction or
focus on achievement.
Goals lack specific
information on action plans,
deadlines, and student,
district, and state mission
statements.
-No goals or stated or goals
do not realistically express
future achievements and/or
plans.
-Professional development
expectations are not stated
and do not express level of
technological competency.
-No explanation is given for
how technological skill will
be enhanced in teacher,
faculty, and staff.
Assessment is incomplete or
missing altogether on
telecommunications and
Reason for Scoring on
Paulding Countys
Technology Plan
Paulding County has a
very clear and
detailed vision
statement. They also
have clearly state the
technology needs for
the district as well as
stating how the
technology will be
used to improve
student learning.
Paulding County has
5 very detailed, well
explained goals. For
every goal, they have
included strategies to
achieve each goal, a
benchmark for each
goal, evaluation
methods for each
goal, the funding
source and amount
needed for each goal,
and the person
responsible for
making it happen.
However the plan is
missing the deadlines
for each goal.
Paulding County has
very clearly defined
their professional
development plans.
The professional
development is
ongoing and PCSD
recognizes the
importance of a
continued education
and development.
However they do not
explain the
anticipated level of
technological
competence in their
plan.
Paulding Countys
plan describes their
software and
cation comprehensive and broad and does not contain assessment on the computer hardware being used
services, contains detailed specific detailed information equipment is missing or from data collected
hardware, information on the on the hardware resources, incomplete regarding and how it supports
software, and hardware resources, software, telecommunication hardware resources, their goals as well as
other software, services, and other services software, their communication
services telecommunication needed and somewhat explains telecommunication services, and marketing plans.
needed services, and other how the existing technology and other services needed They also describe
services needed and supports the goals. The nor does it explain how the their gap analysis in
how the existing assessment also somewhat existing technology how their software
technology supports the includes any new hardware, supports the goals. The and hardware still
goals. The assessment software, telecommunication assessment also is missing needs some
also includes any new services, or other services any new hardware, adjustment to meet
hardware, software, needed to make the technology software, all of their goals.
telecommunication support the goals. telecommunication services,
services, or other or other services needed to
services needed to make make the technology
the technology support support the goals.
the goals.

Accessibility The technology plan The technology plan lists the The technology plan does Paulding County
of technology thoroughly lists the equipment that the school not lists the equipment that explains in their gap
resources equipment that the already has access to in a the school already has analysis that closing
school already has rather broad manner.. The access to. The technology the gap for their
access to. The technology plan is very general plan does not explain how students with
technology plan and broad in explaining how the technology equipment disabilities is an
thoroughly explains how the technology equipment supports the schools ongoing goal. They
the technology supports the schools objective objective and is missing the describe their
equipment supports the as well as the technology being technology being used for assistive technology
schools objective as used for any students with any students with program and explain
well as the technology disabilities. disabilities. how it helps to close
being used for any this gap as well as the
students with responsibilities of the
disabilities. Assistive Technology
Lead position.

Maintenance The technology plan The technology plan somewhat The technology plan does Paulding County
thoroughly explains how vaguely explains how existing not explain how existing or explains existing
existing and new and new resources will be new resources will be resources will be
resources will be maintained, who is responsible maintained, who is upgraded or
maintained, who is for the maintenance, as well as responsible for the refreshed through
responsible for the any costs incurred due to the maintenance, nor any costs regular maintenance
maintenance, as well as maintenance. incurred due to the checks. The plan
any costs incurred due maintenance. includes who is
to the maintenance. responsible and the
sources for costs.

Budget Budget including the Budget including some costs Budget is missing or does While PCSD does give
costs and funding of all and funding of items are rather not include costs and rough estimates of
items are clear and broad and not specifically funding of items. Budget budgeting under each
specifically stated. stated. The budget explains does not explain where the goal, the budgets are
Budget explains where vaguely where the funding will funding will come from. broad and vague as
the funding will come come from as well as detail far as funding. Next to
from as well as detail very generally any grants that the proposed budgets
any grants that can be can be applied for. include words like
applied for. estimated or
and/or or to be
determined. These
lackadaisical budget
plans do not offer a
 solid economic
foundation.

Ongoing Evaluation contains Evaluation gives broad Evaluation does not contain The plan does discuss
evaluation specifically how the generalizations on how the specifically how the the evaluation
effectiveness of effectiveness of technology effectiveness of technology methods but does not
technology purchases purchases are measured. purchases are measured or go into specifics of
are measured. the evaluation process is purchasing new
missing all together. technology.

Recommendations for Paulding Countys Technology Plan

http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/domain/207

We recommend that the Paulding County Technology Department specifically list the deadlines
with specific dates in which they hope to achieve each of their five goals. We understand this a
three year plan and they might not be able to be specific to an exact date but they do need to list
the deadline so they can evaluate where they are each year in trying to accomplish their goals.
Along with their goals and deadlines, it is recommended that Paulding County further specify
and solidify their budgets. Given that the rough estimate of technological costs in this plan is
well over two million dollars, a more thorough description of amounts and funding is needed. In
their professional development, they discuss all the different professional developments that they
offer to the staff but they do not set goals in stating how many will participate and to what level
of competency they will be after receiving the training. In fact, they state in their gap analysis
that a number of teachers do not feel comfortable in using a variety of the different technology
software that they use and offer.

To keep from purchasing items that may not be needed or misused, Paulding County should
include in their plan a specific evaluation method. The method should include if the items will
be used for education purposes and not put on a shelf or for personal use. The evaluation
methods should include surveys, cost breakdowns and stated purposes for technology. Some
specifics can include if the purchases will be used for more than just a few lessons, if the items
could be used in other content areas, and if the maintenance and replacements are costly.

The Paulding County School District receives a 20 out of 24 using our rubric. Overall, the
Paulding County Technology Plan was thorough in what is expected of the school district to
enhance students education through technology.