Causes
Lack of technology resources
Lack of staff training with existing equipment and software.
Lack of knowledge of how to integrate technology into the curriculum.
Conflicts in scheduling of lab time.
Lack of technical support.
Lack of coordination and communication between buildings regarding
software.
Lack of preparation time.
Effects
Teachers are reluctant to incorporate alternate instructional strategies.
Technology used by students is not consistent from building to building
and classroom to classroom.
Technology usage is viewed as a separate part of curriculum instead
of integrated.
Students are less prepared for opportunities beyond the formal education.
Students are less successful and less motivated.
Increased absenteeism/tardiness/discipline problems.
Standardized test scores go down.
Lack of curricular variety.
Requirement
Provide a variety of opportunities for staff technology access and training.
Solutions
Provide additional opportunities for staff training:
Problem
Technology is not used effectively by staff.
Causes
Lack of training at a variety of levels
Lack of time
Lack of hardware and software
Limited release time
Lack of teacher networking
Lack of teacher access to communication tools
Effects
Fear and anxiety of technology
Unable to fully utilize technology
Teacher effectiveness is hampered
Requirement
Provide initial and continuing training for all staff
Solutions
Provide hands on experience for all users taking into account novice
vs. advanced users
Provide appropriate demonstrations of applications for integration
into the curriculum
Provide appropriate in-service opportunities
Provide necessary personnel to run labs
Provide each teacher with a computer system
Provide each teacher with access to appropriate video hardware and
software.
Equip each classroom with communication tools
Benefits
Raise technology comfort levels among staff
Increased learning opportunities for students
Instructional time and technology will be used more efficiently by
teachers and students
Creation and participation in teacher networking
Improved communication with the home and community
Problem
The school district has limited funds for technology and training.
Causes
Low assessed evaluation per pupil dollar spending
Competition for available monies
Effect
Limited and unequal distribution of technology in the district
Requirement
Develop a long-range funding strategy to acquire adequate, on going
funds for an equitable district-wide infusion of technology for all staff
and students.
Solutions
Hire a grant writer to develop funding proposals, newsletters
Explore financing alternatives towards procuring technology
Develop a presentation packet for use in the community with parents
and local businesses
Benefits
Improved access to up-to-date technology and equal distribution district-wide
More predictable supply of funds
Increased support of district plans forming partnerships between local
businesses and the schools
Problem
Current library cataloging and inventory methods are out-of-date.
Causes
Lack of technology
Lack of funding
Effects
Underutilization of book and media resources.
Resource checking in and out is time consuming.
Inefficient inventory procedures (days each year).
Student and staff research is not efficient and comprehensive.
Requirement
Provide equipment and training resources to establish a state-of-the-art
library resource center.
Solution
Establish an on-line catalog system for each library collection.
Establish research centers with telecommunications access to on-line
databases locally and throughout the world.
Establish an effective network of information resources to all schools,
office areas, and classrooms.
Provide staff development opportunities to effect proper utilization
of library resources.
Benefits
Effective utilization of book and media resources.
Efficient use of research time by students and staff.
More comprehensive research capabilities.
Students will gain research skills essential for success in the 21st
Century.
Efficient use of staff time in cataloging and inventory (hours each
year).
Problem
Communication systems are antiquated
Causes
PA system does not work properly.
Teachers do not have ready access to a telephone.
Two-way communication between office and classroom is poor.
Insufficient number of outgoing lines.
Effects
Majority of free time is wasted waiting for an open phone or line.
Parent communication is limited.
Important announcements and alarms are missed.
Students and staff are endangered.
Requirement
Provide a communication system that meets our educational needs today
and can grow to meet our needs in the future.
Solutions
Repair and/or replace current PA systems.
Phones should be installed in all classrooms and staff workrooms.
Study of phone usage (at least yearly) to determine the need for access
to additional lines.
Installation of voice mail and electronic mail in each building.
Installation of homework hotline in each building.
Benefits
Students and staff would be in a safer environment.
Lines of communication would be opened and improved.
Increased communication with parents.
Increased parental awareness of school activities.
Intra-staff communication would be more efficient and effective.
Better understanding of teacher and administrator expectations by students
and parents. Problem
Physical facilities such as buildings, wiring, and furniture are limited
and outdated.
Causes
Lack of funds to update or retrofit older buildings
Lack of physical space for technology in classrooms
Effects
Wiring safety hazards
Limit expansion of technology hardware
Limits integration of technology into the curriculum
Requirement
Provide appropriate cabling, wiring, space, and furniture to accommodate
technology in all buildings.
Solutions
Cabling backbone in all sites with drops to all rooms
Adequate electrical service including telephone lines
Workstation furniture in all classrooms/office
Benefits
Connectivity of workstations across building/district will enhance
information flow
Reduce safety risks
Improved ergonomics for users
Expand curriculum opportunities and enhance overall learning
Problem
Information is scattered, duplicated, exists in many different formats
and is difficult to retrieve.
Causes
Lack of comprehensive planning district wide
Lack of continuity in student database and general record keeping
Lack of time for updating and keeping records current
Lack of user manuals and training on administrative system.
Teachers do not have ready access to computers.
Effects
Unnecessary time spent retrieving and duplicating records.
Student data records do not follow students throughout school career.
Troubleshooting is difficult.
Teacher access to student information is not readily available.
Staff is less productive.
District records consume needed space.
Requirement
Provide and support an ongoing review of administrative software and
hardware.
Solutions
A subcommittee should be formed to establish guidelines for the student
records database to ensure that student records will pass efficiently from
grade to grade.
There should be a networked teacher workstation with access to needed
student records and teacher-administrative functions (i.e., attendance,
grades, etc.) in every classroom.
All teacher record-keeping (i.e., attendance, grades) should be computerized.
A subcommittee should be formed to examine current administrative software
and recommend changes as necessary.
Each user should have ready access to appropriate manuals and training.
Provide a standard format for utilization of centralized database.
Inter/Intra school networking
Benefits
More effective use of staff and administrative time.
Less paperwork.
Instantaneous retrieval of student attendance and academic records
by teachers and support staff.
Student records follow seamlessly through each grade level.
Immediate access to information
Time and utilization efficiencies
Less duplication of effort
Problem
Need to provide increased opportunities for technology access and training
for the community.
Causes
Lack of access to hardware - schools not open at night.
Training not geared to community needs.
Expense of equipment prohibits many community members from owning hardware.
Limited communication between schools and community.
Effects
Take computer classes in other communities thereby supporting other
community schools.
Fear and anxiety involved with technology.
Passed over for advancement.
Requirement
Make the schools more accessible to the public during non-school hours
and offer training commensurate with their needs.
Solutions
Offer a variety of evening or weekend workshops that meet the needs
of the community.
Schools and businesses create partnerships for their mutual benefit.
Access to school technology by business and community groups.
Benefits
Community will be more supportive of academics in the schools.
Community will support technology purchases.
Community will be willing to trade off money for hardware for training
and services.
Community members will become more employable in a technology driven
market.
Community members will have more access to the training and technology
available in the schools.
Problem
There is a need to expand the partnerships between the Hobart schools
and the area business community.
Causes
Lack of awareness of partnership opportunities.
Lack of vision of program possibilities.
Lack of a partnership coordinator.
Scheduling problems between the schools and businesses.
Effects
Less communication takes place.
Students miss valuable educational opportunities and career possibilities.
Schools miss the opportunity for curriculum enhancement.
Business and industry miss the opportunity to shape the future work
force.
The schools, businesses, and industries are uninformed of each other's
programs.
Requirement
Lines of communication must be opened between schools and the business
community.
Solutions
Set up meetings with the Chamber of Commerce, HIEDC, etc. to explain
partnership programs.
Flexible scheduling to accommodate partnership programs.
Set up pilot programs.
Create the position of partnership coordinator.
Have the partnership coordinator report to community meetings.
Write news items for school publications.
Set up speakers' bureau for all parties to access.
Benefits
Improved community impression of school system.
Additional financial support to school programs.
Expanded speakers available to discuss educational topics.
Facilities and materials available to businesses.
Human resources available to all parties.
Improved market for graduates.
Improved pool of employees for businesses.
Education will take a broader, more realistic approach to subject matter.
Additional materials/facilities available to all parties.