As a stakeholder in the Technology Plan (PSUSD, 2013) for Palm Springs Unified, implementation of a robust technology plan is the steppingstone to ensure ethical use, collaborative connectivity, and student digital literacy needed to meet state and district curriculum standards and goals. In addition, adoption of the plan will improve student learning, promote information literacy, grant equal access to technology for all students, and improve communication among teachers, parents, students, administrators and the community (p. 3). This plan, already in preliminary adoption, will take effect in July.
I wanted to compare this plan to the ideas put forth by Mike Ribble (2008) in agreeing that this plan helps set the stage for how we work together through technology in a global digital society (p. 15). The four-step process Ribble describes: engagement through student awareness, guiding appropriate use, teacher modeling, and appropriate feedback (p. 16) mesh with the goals we have put into place in our District to support teaching and engage learning (PSUSD, 2013, p. 10).
Through this continuing process, we can also establish safe Internet practices and build a student framework that will help students make decisions and take responsibility for their online safety (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010b). Our District subscribes to a program by Common Sense Media dealing with online Cyber Safety. As part of our annual teacher performance standards, we are required to give this training bi-annually in the classroom. This training will ensure our District maintains its eligibility for available Federal resources. Additionally, “this curriculum adds instructional focus to the etiquette, ethical use, and evaluative tools for using digital research materials by providing age-appropriate lessons taught by trained classroom teachers” (PSUSD, 2013, p. 24).
David Warlick makes a great point about technology already available in the classroom. Connectivity to each other, to the experts available online, to other classes, and the ability to share content will give all involved the ability to “play the technology” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010a). What I would improve in this plan is ensuring teachers know where the signed student copies of Acceptable Use Policy are located, and that students are aware of concept and purpose of copyright and fair use laws. Awareness of the Tech plan should be made available for all District personnel as part of a back-to-school presentation.
An important aspect of integrating technology in the classroom is building a sense of belonging and community so that all knowledge is accessible in the classroom. Ribble insists this must be a continuing process (Ribble, 2008) and should become an objective not practiced for a few weeks, but rather, a school year plan that will have to be scaffolded in order to work. Our District plan includes necessary data of technology devices already is in place, the need for securing additional devices and equipment, a rigorous adoption and roll out schedule, which will qualify, and listening to feedback for critical improvements to ensure seamless year-to-year growth and progress.
Another growing part of technology is the willingness of our District to incorporate a Bring Your Device [BYOD] program over the next two years. This will mean that at least 60% of our students will have access to technology beyond the classroom, with plans to provide devices to students displaced by socioeconomic differences within the District (PSUSD, 2013, p. 33). Planning for adoption and the incorporation of technology in the classroom will demonstrate we are setting our students up for long-term academic success and participation in the global community.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (2010a). ”It’s not about the technology” [Video webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_ 1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3F%26id=_2822226_1%26url=
Laureate Education, Inc. (2010b). Safe and ethical practices [Video webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_ 1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3F%26id=_2822226_1%26url=
Palm Springs Unified School District [PSUSD]. (2013, July). Technology plan. Retrieved from www.psusd.us/index.aspx?page=557
Ribble, M. (2008, December). Passport to digital citizenship: Journey toward appropriate technology use at school and at home. Learning & Leading with Technology, 36(4), 14–17. Retrieved from the Walden University Library using the Education Research Complete database.
I wanted to compare this plan to the ideas put forth by Mike Ribble (2008) in agreeing that this plan helps set the stage for how we work together through technology in a global digital society (p. 15). The four-step process Ribble describes: engagement through student awareness, guiding appropriate use, teacher modeling, and appropriate feedback (p. 16) mesh with the goals we have put into place in our District to support teaching and engage learning (PSUSD, 2013, p. 10).
Through this continuing process, we can also establish safe Internet practices and build a student framework that will help students make decisions and take responsibility for their online safety (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010b). Our District subscribes to a program by Common Sense Media dealing with online Cyber Safety. As part of our annual teacher performance standards, we are required to give this training bi-annually in the classroom. This training will ensure our District maintains its eligibility for available Federal resources. Additionally, “this curriculum adds instructional focus to the etiquette, ethical use, and evaluative tools for using digital research materials by providing age-appropriate lessons taught by trained classroom teachers” (PSUSD, 2013, p. 24).
David Warlick makes a great point about technology already available in the classroom. Connectivity to each other, to the experts available online, to other classes, and the ability to share content will give all involved the ability to “play the technology” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010a). What I would improve in this plan is ensuring teachers know where the signed student copies of Acceptable Use Policy are located, and that students are aware of concept and purpose of copyright and fair use laws. Awareness of the Tech plan should be made available for all District personnel as part of a back-to-school presentation.
An important aspect of integrating technology in the classroom is building a sense of belonging and community so that all knowledge is accessible in the classroom. Ribble insists this must be a continuing process (Ribble, 2008) and should become an objective not practiced for a few weeks, but rather, a school year plan that will have to be scaffolded in order to work. Our District plan includes necessary data of technology devices already is in place, the need for securing additional devices and equipment, a rigorous adoption and roll out schedule, which will qualify, and listening to feedback for critical improvements to ensure seamless year-to-year growth and progress.
Another growing part of technology is the willingness of our District to incorporate a Bring Your Device [BYOD] program over the next two years. This will mean that at least 60% of our students will have access to technology beyond the classroom, with plans to provide devices to students displaced by socioeconomic differences within the District (PSUSD, 2013, p. 33). Planning for adoption and the incorporation of technology in the classroom will demonstrate we are setting our students up for long-term academic success and participation in the global community.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (2010a). ”It’s not about the technology” [Video webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_ 1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3F%26id=_2822226_1%26url=
Laureate Education, Inc. (2010b). Safe and ethical practices [Video webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_ 1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3F%26id=_2822226_1%26url=
Palm Springs Unified School District [PSUSD]. (2013, July). Technology plan. Retrieved from www.psusd.us/index.aspx?page=557
Ribble, M. (2008, December). Passport to digital citizenship: Journey toward appropriate technology use at school and at home. Learning & Leading with Technology, 36(4), 14–17. Retrieved from the Walden University Library using the Education Research Complete database.