Fairlawn Elementary Community School Instructional
Technology Plan
1. VISION
Provide technology access and
proficiency to all students, to improve learning outcomes and prepare students
for the future.
2.
3. NEEDS ASSESSMENT and GOALS
A strategic goal for Fairlawn
Elementary is to integrate technology and its proficient use into the
instructional program to facilitate learning. A critical survey is conducted
annually to assist the school and the district in determining technology needs
in order to make this strategic goal a reality.
The School Technology and Readiness
Survey (STaR) from the Florida Department of Education will be used to help
target Fairlawn’s needs. The school will
also involve the Principal, Technology Mentor, Media Specialist, Reading Leader,
School Advisory Committee (SAC), and school faculty in addressing the needs and
goals for integrating technology into all curriculums.
4. FUNDING PLAN
The major sources of funding for Fairlawn
Elementary Technology Plan include:
5. TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION PLAN
Identification of appropriate
hardware to meet the goals of the District instructional program, as identified
by the needs assessment procedures, is based on recommendations from the
Fairlawn Elementary SAC, Technology Mentor, administration, and school staff,
which reviews new and emerging technologies that reflect national standards and
support district instructional guidelines. Identification of appropriate
software is based on the recommendations of the School Technology Mentor,
Reading Leader, Principal, Media Specialist, and SAC in order to ensure that
software reflects national standards and support District instructional
guidelines.
6. ACCESS POLICY
Infusion of instructional technology at
Fairlawn Elementary includes a school-wide Local Area Network (LAN) which
connects all classrooms. Fairlawn’s network access starts with a T-1 connection
to the M-DCPS Wide Area Network (WAN) for Internet use, providing
desktop-to-Internet access throughout the school on a 1000 megabit backbone.
The LAN is also used to access integrated learning systems for programmed
learning software that uses a diagnostic/prescriptive approach as well as other
software. All classrooms also have access to WLRN’s ITFS system.
·
Classrooms equipped with at least five computers (4 student
workstations 1 teacher workstation), a TV, and a printer.
·
Multimedia capabilities/peripherals (e.g., scanners, digital
cameras, 3 LCD projectors) are available for checkout from the
·
Two computer labs equipped with computers connected to the
Internet and subject-specific software.
Access for teachers, parents, and
students to the best teaching practices and curriculum resources are available.
This access is located through the M-DCPS Internet portal, http://www.dadeschools.net,
and Fairlawn’s Website at http://fairlawn.dadeschools.net. These
provide access to essential information and services for students, teachers,
principals, and parents. The district’s portal currently provides access to curriculum
resources such as:
Comprehensive lesson plans and curriculum resource guides
correlated to the M-DCPS Competency-based Curriculum, the Florida Sunshine
State Standards, and national standards in all core curriculum areas.
6a. Acceptable Use Policy
All network and Internet users at
Fairlawn follow the M-DCPS Acceptable Use for Utilization of the Internet
Policy, School Board Rule 6Gx13-6A-1.112, is available both on the Internet
and in hardcopy forms. In combination
with a sophisticated, district-level filtering mechanism, users are apprised of
the steps taken by the District to provide safe and appropriate materials when
using the Internet. Protection of confidentiality of students is standard
operating procedure as regulated by state and federal guidelines.
6b. Security
System integrity is managed
through the use of encrypted passwords, access lists, and managed restricted
access. Physical security for equipment and systems is accomplished by housing
equipment in locked rooms. Additionally Fairlawn maintains a firewall provided
by M-DCPS.
Fairlawn Elementary uses M-DCPS
provided X-STOP filtering software from 8e6 Technologies to prohibit
access by minors and adults to inappropriate matter on the Internet. The X-STOP filter blocks sites at the router
level, providing protection for every computer in the school. Every URL request
from an M-DCPS computer is compared to the X-STOP
database before that site can be displayed. The database, which is updated
nightly, restricts access, via both URL’s and IP addresses, to sites which
display pornography or obscene content; focus on games or gambling; encourage
use of alcohol or drugs; promote violence, anarchy, or hate groups; provide
information on execution of unlawful activities; or allow chat. In addition, X-STOP restricts access to sites
containing certain keywords, which are listed in multiple languages. Sites,
which may be inappropriately blocked, may be submitted via email for review by
designated M-DCPS personnel, who can then unblock these sites.
6c. USER SUPPORT PLAN
Network Management and Support
Fairlawn’s LAN is run by the Technology
Mentor and Microsystems Technician (MST). The District’s WAN, Internet, and LAN
backbone equipment is run by ITS. All critical components of the WAN and all
administrative computers are under district maintenance plans through ITS with
hot swap equipment on site. In conjunction with the Division of Instructional
Technology, ITS also manages the M-DCPS World Wide Web presence.
Technical Support
All computers purchased by Fairlawn include
a minimum three-year maintenance plan.
Older computers are maintained by the site MST. Administrative equipment
is serviced through ITS. Instructional equipment is maintained through site and
region-based technicians. Various
equipment repair bids ensure maintenance and repair of essential equipment.
Software Support
All network educational and instructional software is managed
and maintained by the Technology Mentor, MST, and Media Specialist. Offsite
technical support is purchased
for Accelerated Reader, Pinnacle Gradebook, STAR
7. STAFF TRAINING PLAN
Teachers use technology as a critical
part of an inquiry-oriented learning-teaching process, in which they face a set
of challenges. These include: learning how to use a variety of technology
applications; using, adapting, and designing technology-enhanced curricula to
meet students' needs; expanding content knowledge; taking on new roles; and
responding to individual students. Teachers must also master
assistive/augmentative communication devices, their use, and how to identify
students who may be in need of these devices.
In order to provide for the increasing
use of technology in the classroom and
I.
TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS AND CONCEPTS.
a.
demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding
of concepts related to technology (as described in the ISTE National Education Technology
Standards for Students)
b.
Demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and
skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies.
II. PLANNING AND DESIGNING
LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND EXPERIENCES. Teachers plan and design effective learning
environments and experiences supported by technology. Teachers:
a. Design
developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply
technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of
learners.
b.
Apply current research on teaching and learning with
technology when planning learning environments and experiences.
c.
Identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them
for accuracy and suitability.
d.
Plan for the management of technology resources within the
context of learning activities.
e.
Plan strategies to manage student learning in a
technology-enhanced environment.
III. TEACHING, LEARNING, AND
THE CURRICULUM.
Teachers implement curriculum plans, which include methods and strategies
for applying technology to maximize student learning. Teachers:
a.
Facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address
content standards and student technology standards.
b.
Use technology to support learner-centered strategies that
address the diverse needs of students.
c.
Apply technology to develop students' higher order skills and
creativity.
d.
Manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced
environment.
IV. ASSESSMENT AND
EVALUATION.
Teachers apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment
and evaluation strategies. Teachers:
a.
Apply technology in assessing student learning of subject
matter using a variety of assessment techniques.
b.
Use technology resources to collect and analyze data,
interpret results, and communicate findings to improve instructional practice
and maximize student learning.
c.
Apply multiple methods of evaluation to determine students'
appropriate use of technology resources for learning, communication, and
productivity.
V. PRODUCTIVITY AND
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE.
Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional
practice. Teachers:
a.
Use technology resources to engage in ongoing professional
development and lifelong learning.
b.
Continually evaluate and reflect on professional practice to
make informed decisions regarding the use of technology in support of student
learning.
c.
Apply technology to increase productivity.
d.
Use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers,
parents, and the larger community in order to nurture student learning.
VI. SOCIAL, ETHICAL, LEGAL,
AND HUMAN ISSUES.
Teachers understand the social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding
the use of technology in PK-12 schools and apply those principles in practice.
Teachers:
a.
Model and teach legal and ethical practice related to
technology use.
b.
Apply technology resources to enable and empower learners
with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, and abilities.
c.
Identify and use technology resources that affirm diversity.
d.
Promote safe and healthy use of technology resources.
e.
Facilitate equitable access to technology resources for all
students.
7a. Professional
Development Opportunities
Professional development opportunities are accessed through
the Enhancing Education through Technology (EETT) program on campus at Fairlawn
Elementary. Online classes are offered
through the Virtual Campus on http://www.dadeschools.net. Instructional courses
that are accessed online or at the ITS lab utilize a facilitated approach to
learning. The Division of Instructional Technology and Media Support Services are
responsible for developing, maintaining and supporting the Virtual Campus.
8. PROGRAM EVALUATION
The ongoing program evaluation of how
technology is being integrated into the Fairlawn Elementary Technology Plan
will target these areas:
·
Instructional Technology and student achievement data will be
analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of those systems in increasing student
achievement.
·
Student Achievement in the Sunshine State Standards (SSS)
will be measured by comparing results from the FCAT exam on a year to year
basis.
·
Fairlawn will analyze The School Technology and Readiness
Survey (STaR) with the results of previous surveys compared to District and
State results. Information will be
reported online to STaR. Valuable data to be used for school and district
technology planning and for federal reporting required of Enhancing Education Through
Technology (EETT) grant recipients.
9. Summary
Fairlawn Elementary is committed to
integrating technology into all curriculums. Fairlawn’s goal is to provide
students, teachers and administrators with the necessary staff development,
technology hardware and software. Technology
continues to change at an unprecedented pace; Fairlawn Elementary and
M-DCPS envisions all learners of all ages
using technology to access information, communicate, collaborate, construct
knowledge, and to prepare for the Information Technology workforce of the new
millennium.