This
technology plan is a framework for integrating technology into the East
Greenwich Public Schools. It reflects the best current thinking of
teachers, administrators, staff, and community volunteers who have
collectively shared their expertise in developing this plan. It is the
consensus of these participants that the East Greenwich Public Schools
have a responsibility to prepare its students for a world which is
changing rapidly; one which will require its citizenry to have a
knowledge of and comfort with technology. Technology use in any K-12 classroom fosters cooperative learning, which in turn improves the students’ problem solving and communication abilities and promotes cognitive growth. Teachers who have access to technology can more effectively provide differentiated instruction for each student. Technology literacy will prepare our students for lifelong learning; it develops as students routinely use information technology resources as part of their daily curricular activities. Technology resources provide new means of accessing information, new ways of understanding any subject, creative means of expression, and new ways of demonstrating understanding, proficiency, and competency. Access to the vast digital resources from the classroom, library, and technology lab, facilitated by technology-literate teachers and librarians, will encourage students to develop their information locating, gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating, and presenting skills. Collaborative learning opportunities across all grades and learning areas enable students to develop an understanding of people from diverse cultures and circumstances. This technology plan presents specific recommendations for the development of a comprehensive network of computers and information resources to support 21st century teaching and learning. This plan is comprehensive both in the variety of educational technologies to be provided, and in its recommendations for wide and equitable access by students and staff. The committee recognizes that the relationship between teacher and student is a critical factor in effective curriculum integration of information technologies in our schools. This challenge can best be met by providing formal professional development opportunities for improving technology skills and sustaining them through ongoing training and support. Teachers must be empowered to effectively integrate technology into their curriculum. Implementation of the plan will require significant, ongoing capital expenditures over a three year period. Additional staff will be required to manage and coordinate programs, to provide training to staff, and to physically maintain the systems as they develop and change. A community wide commitment to the funding of networks, hardware, software, and training is an essential part of the plan. |