𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏

 Principals and other administrators should understand what is required to lead in a digital age. Here is a video which outlines several pillars of digital leadership in schools.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐍𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍- 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐓?

                            Video showing a Technology Plan of Davis Independent School District

A technology plan articulates how appropriate technologies will be integrated into specific disciplines. It allows the school to organize how staff will merge content and processes of education with technology.

The overarching goal of a technology plan is the successful integration of technology to support student learning and school management. The plan facilitates policies at all levels and underpins curriculum decision making, especially when it comes to resource allocation. (Technology in Schools - Chapter 1: Technology Planning and Policies, Technology in Schools: Suggestions, Tools, and Guidelines for Assessing Technology in Elementary and Secondary Education, n.d.).

𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧

Schools can benefit greatly from having a technology plan. It will:

1. Support opportunity for new technological innovations.

2. Provide a layout for staff on how the plan will be implemented.

3. Include policies of the use of equipment, for example, the Acceptable Use

Policies (AUP).

4. Help to pinpoint challenging areas and suggest ways to overcome the challenges

of implementation. 

5. Investment in technological tools, both hardware and software, will lead to more 

     efficient spending expenditures and 

6. Most importantly all these measures will lead to improved student achievement.

A well developed technology plan will contain the following facets:

1. Student Support System 

This system outlines a wide variety of in services, which include but are not limited to short term use of technology for tutoring, testing, academic support, inclusion services for special needs students, academically talented support, behaviour interventions, and social services. These endeavours have shown the need for the procurement of assistive technologies and other such resources.

2. Professional Development 

To keep staff and all personnel abreast of our evolving changing and growing world training sessions and seminars are critical components of any potentially successful technology plan. If staff is to integrate technology into curriculum to support teaching and learning they must also be efficacious in using the technology. Professional development for teachers, administrators, and other personnel must include continued awareness of technology policies and standards and be current in their knowledge of new developments in technology literacies, strategies, and tools that support the integration of technology. 

Training must be done in tools for the following:

• Classroom management tools 

• Collaboration tools 

• Communication tools  

• Content area resources and tools 

•  Formative and summative assessment tools  

• Learning management systems  

• Productivity and presentation tools

3. Technology Integration  

Teachers work collaboratively to share websites, and techniques of integrating the technology into their lessons. A team can be created to provide support and direction for students and teachers. Teachers will learn new techniques and have  resources available readily. The tools themselves must be on hand for when they are required. Links and software, for example, can be kept up-to-date and stored in a database that they can be used when necessary. 

With the advent of online classrooms, these provide an easy means for blended learning. Teachers have a vehicle where they can include online resources like worksheets, videos, links to games and other activities. These can be accessed by students and parents and allow them to keep track of content being taught in the physical classrooms. 

4. Supporting Resources

Such resources provide opportunity to ensure the appropriate use of technology. Policies must be put in place to alleviate problems such as:

• Identity theft

• Hacking

• Inappropriate use of the Internet

• Stealing of information (plagiarism)

For this purpose specific rules and sanctions as they relate to the use of technology are outlined in an Acceptable Use Policy where parents and other users are required to sign their acknowledgement and agreement.

References

Technology in Schools - Chapter 1: Technology Planning and Policies, Technology in Schools: Suggestions, Tools, and Guidelines for Assessing Technology in Elementary and Secondary Education. (n.d.). https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2003/tech_schools/chapter1.asp

DIGITAL STRATEGIES

                                            Video Explanation of  Digital Strategies in Schools

WHAT IS A DIGITAL STRATEGY?

A digital strategy in education is a school's approach to using technology, like computers, mobile devices and internet services, to enhance the teaching and learning experience. It aims to further support the school system to ensure that all learners have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to successfully navigate in an ever evolving digital world. This plan can help schools provide ways for easy and fast communication with each other, their students and parents.  A school's management team may design and adjust its strategy based on new or popular technological innovations and ideas or platforms and current performance or requirements. The team develops the document incorporating the 3 major elements of the digital strategy. They then set out clear goals based on each pillar.

Here are the three major facets of a digital strategy:

1. Digital Literacy and Capacity

This pillar focuses on ensuring that digital technologies are embedded into teaching, learning and assessment in our schools in a way that helps you to learn. It also aims to support teachers in effectively using technology to support learning and to support the development of a range of digital skills. 

2. Digital Infrastructure and Procurement

This pillar involves the technology itself. It answers the questions: 

• How many devices do we need?

•  Which type of devices are appropriate for my school for both staff and students?

• What are the apps and programmes that can enhance learning 

• Are the internet facilities adequate in the school and if not how can fence to fence connectivity be gained? 

• What support can we garner from corporate Barbados or the Ministry of Education in buying and maintaining digital devices and other technology ­related items?

3. Digital Leadership

This pillar focusses on changes in digital technologies. It aims at helping schools to integrate technology with other strategies and policies that are important in education. Because technology is often evolving, digital leadership will help schools stay abreast of new programmes and apps, faster devices and new opportunities and challenges that arise when stakeholders are using the internet and other digital technologies. 

Here you may see an example of  St. Lucy's Primary Digital Strategy

References

Indeed Editorial Team (Ed.). (2021, June). Just a moment. . . What Is a Digital Strategy? Definition, Benefits and Tips. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/digital-strategy