I found this language on our school's official website. It's the plan from 2009-2014. Looks like we need an update. I might inquire about it. I think I'll check out New Tech High's language to compare it to what I imagine is a good plan because it's such a big part of that school. Our plan could use some changes. For example, I had difficulties with our school's technology policy while doing my research. I was unable to upload nature apps onto any of the iPads due to a 1 upload per year policy (which I did not see in the language I encountered here below). I read it and so much has changed since then it's amazing! Our students have had 1 to 1 devices for the last six years! As far as I knew, we didn't have any mission or vision or goals related to the use of technology in the school. Turns out there is language about that in this plan, too.
Our technology sure did help us with distance learning! We rolled out devices to every child and the community paid for several hot spots so that everyone could have wifi access. Our administrators are pretty proud of our ability to adapt, thanks to the 1 to 1 devices and teacher flexibility/adaptability. Here's part of the 2009-2014 plan from the CJUSD website: 3a. Description of teachers’ and students’ current access to technology tools both during the school day and after school hours. Calistoga Elementary School All students have access to a minimum of two up-to-date computers in each classroom with high-speed Internet access. Many classroom computers have headphones that allow English Learners to make use of language development software. There is at least one printer accessible from classroom. All students are served in classrooms that have access to Discovery Education, an educational video download service, via the Napa County Office of Education. Other online resources are available through and Ed1Stop, a service of NCOE. In addition, all classrooms are equipped with a television and VCR. All students learn in classrooms that are networked, allowing students and teachers to make use of Scholastic Reading Counts. The school library/media center contains a large collection of lexile-rated reading materials with corresponding Reading Counts quizzes to encourage students’ choices of recreational reading at an appropriate level for comprehension. The district’s schools work with the local SELPA to provide any needed adaptive technology for students with special needs. The school district also uses language development software from DynEd to provide extra help for English learners at both sites. The software is research-based and provides both placement and mastery skills tests in both oral and written English. In the summer of 2008, the Calistoga Elementary School updated the school computer lab with new PC computers (Lenovo ThinkCentre with Intel Core2 and Windows XP) and to purchase enough additional computers to allow each student his or her own workstation. There are 26 student workstations in the lab, two networked laser printers (one black laserjet and one color laserjet), and a teaching workstation which includes computer, digital projector, and Califone PresentationPro audio speaker. Each student workstation is equipped with headphones to allow for the use of English language development software. The computer lab is used for computer classes and Academy classes throughout the day, with designated times available throughout the week for teacher reservations. The computer lab is located in the school library/media center. In addition, Calistoga Elementary School has assembled a mobile center of 24 IBM ThinkPad T30 laptop computers which may be checked out by teachers for use in their classrooms. The school library is equipped with an electronic card catalogue augmented with an automated bar-code check-out system. In addition to the librarian’s workstation, there are four student workstations located in the library. The library staff maintains a small professional library containing educational videos and audiotapes. Calistoga Joint Unified School District 8 District Technology Plan 2009-2014 Teachers make use of classroom computers for instructional planning and to record student assessment scores on a networked database. Every teacher has an email account. Parents are encouraged to contact teachers by e-mail. All classrooms are equipped with voicemail. Teachers also have access to the school and district web site for posting grades, announcements, and classroom newsletters. The computer lab at Calistoga Elementary school is also open to use by students with tutors, Boys & Girls club, and CCLC ThinkTank from the hours of 2:00-3:00 on Tuesdays and 4:00-5:00 on all other weekdays. It goes on in more depth about protecting students from online predators, use of computers to enrich reading and math, professional development, etc. It's a complete plan! But it is VERY outdated. Our computers have changed. Our reporting tools have changed. Our curriculum has changed. Looks like we could use a lot of the structure of this plan and update it. I found out we used to have TWO full time technology coordinators in the district. Now as far as I know we don't have any. Maybe they have one at the high school. We could sure use someone now to work on updating our technology vision and plan! I don't imagine too many people were talking about the SITE model, TPACK, or 21st Century skills in 2008.
4 Comments
Joel
6/16/2020 10:56:31 am
Good call Jeremy, I didn't realize that this was the most recent technology report available. We also have a Technology District panel, I am thinking that they may have a more recent technology report?
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Krista Loper
6/20/2020 11:21:58 am
I was hoping I could look at someone's blog outside of NVUSD which is why I am glad I can look at yours. I wanted to see what other districts are doing surrounding technology and 21st century learning. It's interesting that you said that the plan is "outdated." I am sure many mission statements across many districts are outdated and need some updating.
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Kirsten
6/21/2020 02:01:14 pm
I agree with this! I feel like everything I've read is a little (or a lot) outdated..
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Tracy Moskowite
6/24/2020 06:59:49 am
I went searching for NVUSD information and couldn't find a clear statement. I ended up looking at my schools mission statement that we look at every year. It is interesting how this is from 2009-2014, I wonder what my districts is. I am curious of why there would be emphasis on predators online. I think I can understand that as keeping a safe and secure website and helping to make sure that everything is following the security of personal information.
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AuthorJeremy Smith teaches third grade at Calistoga Elementary School. Archives
July 2020
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