TECHNOLOGY PLAN TEMPLATE

North American University

Education Department
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
EDUC 5324: INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY INTO EDUCATION S1.2022

Name: Zammira Shayegan-Elizondo Date: June 28, 2022

This template is adapted from

https://tpb.lacoe.edu/tpb/docs/TechPlan_v1.10.pdf

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
The plan should guide the LEA’s use of education technology for the next three
years.

List specific start and end dates (7/1/xx to 6/30/xx). Provide a brief overview of
the LEA, its location and demographics and/or share a link to the LEA’s website.

Answer 1
This plan will cover the time period from June 23, 2022, to August, 18,
2023. The LEA is the Dickinson Independent School District (DISD, 2022)
is located in Galveston County. The student body makeup is a total of
11,600 students. Our district serves 16.8% African- American, 0.4%
American Indian, 1.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 28.4 White, 26% two
or more races, and 50% Hispanic. A total of 55% of our students are coded
at risk students and 67% are economically disadvantaged, 17% have a
barrier of language and are limited in English proficiency. The school’s
website: https://www.dickinsonisd.org/page/tech.home_original

Describe how a variety of stakeholders from within the LEA and the community-
at-large participated in the planning process.

Answer 2
As our district is growing we are improving in how we communicate with
each other and the community. Our campus administrators meet once a
month with our Superintendent, Mrs. Karla Vokel, our Deputy
Superintendent, Dr. Jeff Pack, and with our district Directors. In these
meeting there are academic issues discussed and the barriers that we are
encountering during instruction and day to day activities. Right after these
meeting the Education Service Team meets and these topics are
discussed and addressed by department. One being technology, we
gather feedback from our campus administrators (which they gathered
from staff members), then our district also sends out surveys to our
parents and students that rate the use of different instructional materials.
Summarize the relevant research and describe how it supports the plan's
curricular and professional development goals.
● Summarize the plan’s major curricular and professional development
outcomes that are supported by research.
● Describe and cite the relevant research that supports the plan’s outcomes.
● Describe the connection between the research and the plan’s goals.
● Describe information gathered from site visits, including best practices.

Answer 3
In Dickinson ISD we meet frequently to establish many plans, but one that I find
to be very important and effective is our strategic plan for the school year. This
plan includes the major curriculum development plan and the professional
development plan. It is very well organized by including who is responsible for
incorporating the training, the action plan in place to provide the PD, and the time
period that we have to complete those professional developments. Please feel
free to take a look at our 2022-2023 strategic plan:
https://www.dickinsonisd.org/upload/page/0805/Strategy%20Development%20for
%20Goals.pdf
The following information will focus on DISD curriculum and professional
development goals and the plan that is in place from 2021-20226:
Goal 1: Teaching and Learning: DISD would like to develop and implement
effective professional learning communities on all campuses in all grade levels.
The resources available to accomplish this is our Solution Tree PLC and campus
administrators will support this process. In addition, we seek to provide
curriculum that is strategically aligned and focused on essential standards. We
will develop a comprehensive assessment plan. We will also, implement best
practices to ensure quality instruction, provide professional developments to
ensure our UDL plans are properly incorporated during the next three years.
Reducing and eliminating random variation in the delivery of curriculum.
In order to accomplish this goal the district plans to incorporate a safe
environment for staff members, students, and parents. By expanding the safety
programs to incorporate best practices and more beyond the compliance piece.
Foster the needs of emotional safety through the development of positive
relationships and school culture/climate. Enhance student’s principal health
through instruction and district health services. The district will also plan to
involve families and communities by providing parents access to various
community resources, expanding partnership with community organizations and
churches to support students and schools with various campus needs.
Expanding partnerships with area community colleges. The district will equip
families with the tools needed to enhance and extend learning at home by
providing training and support in the programs we use: Skyward, Schoology,
Web literacy and Safety, Online resources, and other needs identified by parents.
We will address infrastructure by providing operational services to support the
success of student learning. Building and maintaining infrastructure connectivity
for the district. Utilize the districts funds and resources in a fiscally responsible
manner. Providing a safe, clean, and comfortable environment. Creating a safe
educational space that promotes effective teaching and learning.
CURRICULUM COMPONENT CRITERIA.
The Plan must establish clear goals and realistic strategy for using
telecommunications and information technology to improve education services.
(Answer at least 2 questions for each subsection below)

Describe teachers' current access to instructional technology and current use of

digital tools.

Question & Answer 1

How do I know which technology is currently being used in Dickinson ISD?
In planning for new teachers and returning teachers DISD makes a “Back to
School Plan”. In this plan there are certain trainings those teachers depending on
the area they teach that they must attend. In addition, to this there are district
wide technology platforms that are used by all staff members regardless of the
program or area they are in. There are emails that are sent by Dr. Smith, our
Director of Technology, or Deputy Superintendent; Dr. Jeff Pack will also send a
follow up email. If you are a new teacher you are set up with a mentor who of
course will help you register for these trainings and will help guide you as to what
you need to know about each instructional technology piece that is utilized in the
district. All staff members receive multiple alerts from Strive where they monitor
who has attended these trainings and who has not and they have a period of
time to complete.
Question & Answer 2
Where could I find resources that will provide me with tutorials on how to use
these digital tools?
If for some reason you were to need additional tutorials on how to use the digital
tools that are in you Classlink account then there are many how to videos that
the technology team has created. Please click on the following link to access
these tutorials: https://www.dickinsonisd.org/page/tech.TidBytes (TidBytes are
set every month)
https://www.dickinsonisd.org/page/tech.training_center (resources)

Describe students' current access to instructional technology and current use of

digital tools. Include a description about the LEA policy, practices, and/or
replacement policy that ensures equitable technology access for all students.

Question & Answer 1

What do students currently use to access instructional technology?
Students currently use Classlink to access all the instructional technology that
the district implements. Classlink provides students and teachers to sign on one
single time and access all web and Window applications. Classlink is assessable
from any computer, tablet, or even their smartphones. In this platform they will
find Schoology that is used district wide to access all courses with assignments.
They will also be able to access Skyward, which allows students to be
independent and check what grades they are missing from what course. In
addition, it will provide all the Apps that the student’s teachers have asked them
to use throughout the school year.
Question & Answer 2
What are DISD’s policies, practices, and replacement policies that ensure
equitable technology access to all students?
https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/498?filename=BBI(LOCAL).pdf
For purposes of this policy, “technology resources” means electronic
communication systems and electronic equipment. Access to the District’s
technology resources, including the Internet, shall be made available to Board
members primarily for official duties and in accordance with administrative
regulations.
Limited personal use of the District’s technology resources shall be permitted if
the use:
1. Imposes no tangible cost on the District; and
2. Does not unduly burden the District’s technology resources. (DISD Technology
and Communication, 2011)

Describe goals and an implementation plan, with annual activities, for using
technology to improve teaching and learning. Describe how these goals align to
the LEA's curricular goals that are supported by other plans. Describe how the
LEA's budget (LCAP) supports these goals, and whether future funding
proposals or partnerships may be needed for successful implementation.
The following is Dickinson ISD’s plan to implement annual activities for using
technology to improve teaching and learning.
The goals mentioned above support our curriculum goals because by
implementing the goals of providing parents and students training needed to
enhance learning at home we will see better results in our curriculum. They will
also know how to effectively use the programs being incorporated. Parents will
be informed of what missing assignment their child is missing. Teachers will also
receive additional trainings that support the way our district is incorporating
technology into each course. In these plans there are certain plans that will follow
funding and how we will try and purchase resources through district funds
instead of campus funds.
Describe goals and an implementation plan, with annual activities, to address
Internet Safety and the appropriate and ethical use of technology in the
classroom.

Question & Answer 1

We have over 100 programs that are purchased every year by DISD, which
programs are the ones actually being used?
Even though our district is doing a much better job now and working towards this,
we are famous for being consistently inconsistent. Meaning that every campus
decides what programs they would like to purchase and then contact technology
to support them by including the programs into our Classlink App, which is used
as a one stop location where students and teachers log into the app and
automatically all Apps are linked to that one time log in. Well after checking into
the 100 Apps that we have purchased, we found that only 67% are being utilized
throughout the entire school districts. The other Apps had been renewed and
then no one would check if there was any activity and if the program was being
used. Fortunately, this has changed the Director of Curriculum, Mrs. Jaqueline
Kennedy and our Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Jeff Pack are not monitoring this
closely and are in constant communication with Dr. Smith our Director of
Technology. We have now cleared 27 Apps that were inactive, and are having
certain campus contacts check for inactivity so that we are address any issues
when renewal time comes around.

Question & Answer 2

What are the technology platforms that we will use district wide, and when will we
train?
After COVID-19, our district has incorporated that Schoology will be incorporated
from elementary campuses to our high school campuses. Schoology is a
platform where everyone is involved administrators, teachers, students, and
parents, and they are able to create, manage, and share assignments throughout
the year. Better yet we have finally figured out a way to have Schoology
communicate with Skywards (our grading system), so that students, teachers,
and parents can know exactly what grades are missing and from which course.
Professional developments are offered district wide several time during the
summer and throughout the school year. These trainings are mandatory, and if
they are not completed during the time period being offered then staff members
are to take a Saturday to train on the program. Another way that teachers and
administrators get traninng for this platform is through booking one of our
instructional technology specialist and they will come train during teacher
conference ours as they are booked by the campuses.

Question & Answer 3:

How is DISD keep our software and hardware safe?
Well we have an amazing Tech team, including an amazing Director, Dr. Smith,
which communicates with everyone through email and has Dr, Jeff Pack our
Deputy Superintendent support her with a follow up email of letting administrators
and all staff members know that on a certain week of our summer days all
laptops, desktop, and devices will be reimaged to help with our security safety.
This currently in the process now, but we are currently using Microsoft
Authenticator. This Apps requires for staff members to approve and confirm that
it is really them logging on into a new device
In addition, every three months our teams sends out such creative video from the
“Inside Man” on our Strive school accounts that are considered additional training
on how to not share anything and keep information secure. The tech teams does
send out testing trial emails that we must phish and if some staff members fall for
the email and provide information then they have to attend additional trainings,
leaving them scared and aware of what they must do next time they find a weird
email requesting information.
.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT
The Plan must have a professional development strategy to ensure that staff
understands how to use these new technologies to improve education services
(Answer at least 2 questions for each subsection below)

Summary of the teachers' and administrators' current technology proficiency and

integration skills and needs for professional development.

Question & Answer 1

What is the current technology proficiency rating that teachers and administrators
counts on?
Currently 93% of staff members have been trained on the currently technology
platforms that are implemented in our district. However, from those 93% there
are 40% of veteran teachers and administrators that need additional support to
integrate the skills proficiently.
Question & Answer 2
What professional developments are planned to provide the support these
teachers and administrators need?
Please follow the TECH tab and highlighted in yellow:
August 11, 2022 there will be two session provided for Tech training for all staff
members:

August 12, 2022

Describe goals and an implementation plan, with annual activities, for providing
professional development opportunities based on your LEA needs assessment
data and the Curriculum Component of the plan.

Question & Answer 1 What goals have been created to provide professional
development opportunities through the school year?
*Expand partnerships with area community colleges and allow families and
students to get familiar with the resources and applications that need to be filled
out.
*Equip families with tools to enhance and extend learning at home.
*: Provide all staff with a package of benefits and services that addresses
personal and professional needs
*Build and maintain infrastructure connectivity for the district
*Provide a safe, clean, and comfortable environment
*Create safe educational spaces that promote effective teaching and learning

Question & Answer 2

What plan(s) through the year are scheduled to implement support to accomplish
these goals?
Summer Trainings:
June 27-July 14 Trainings are offered for all middle school administrators and
teachers from 8:00 a.m. -4:00p.m.
July 18-July 29 Trainings are offered for all elementary schools administrators
and teachers from 8:00-4:00 p.m.
High school will attend the Back to School trainings.
Back to School Trainings will take place August 11 th & August 12th
There are 18 staff members in the technology team that are scheduled to provide
campus trainings throughout the year. We have 14 campuses and they will each
have a trainer once a month to support in reinforcing Schoology or any other
technology tool needed.
September 12-16
October 24-28
November 14-18
December 12-16
February 13-17
March 27-31
April 24-28
INFRASTRUCTURE, HARDWARE, TECHNICAL SUPPORT, SOFTWARE, AND
ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPONENT CRITERIA
The Plan must include an assessment of the telecommunication services,
hardware, software, asset management, and other services that will be needed to
improve education services.

(Answer at least 2 questions for each subsection below)

Describe the existing hardware, Internet access, electronic learning resources,

technical support, and asset management already in the LEA that will be used to
support the Curriculum and Professional Development Components of the plan.

Question & Answer 1

Describe the existing hardware, internet access, electronic learning resources,
technical support, and asset management that are in place to support curriculum
and PDs?
The current hardware that the district provides is Chrome books for all students
in all grade levels, HP Desktops for teachers, HP laptops for teachers. All staff
members and students use Google Chrome to access the internet and very few
times is there a need to access the internet using Internet Explorer. Internet
Explorer is mostly used to access the Employee Access Portal to enter absences
and check payroll status. The electronic learning resources that we use are ST
Math, Kahoot, Quizlet, Think Central, HMH, and Prodigy. For Technical Support
we create Help Desk tickets using Eduphoria and Aware. To assess
management the district goes under constant updates to support the curriculum.
Professional Developments are available monthly.

Question & Answer 2

What are the Professional developments are being offered throughout the year
that support curriculum?
In the summer, in August before starting school, and every month technology
with hold PD’s for the mandatory district programs: Schoology, Skyward,
Frontline, Eduphoria, and Outlook. In addition, they will have trainings on
programs that will allow teachers to integrate technology into their lesson:
Teacher made, ST Math, Imagine Learning, RAZ Kids, and Google.

Describe the technology hardware, electronic learning resources, networking and

telecommunications infrastructure, physical plant modifications, technical
support, and asset management needed by the LEA's teachers, students, and
administrators to support the activities in the Curriculum and Professional
Development components of the plan.

Question & Answer 1

What technology hardware and electronic resources are needed to support
activities in the curriculum?
Our district is pretty behind on many things when it comes to technology. We are
in need of smart boards, which would allow students to interact through lessons,
having iPads to use for all content areas would make it easier when integrating a
game that has QR Codes or Flip grids. Headphones, would be great especially
when students are testing, TELPAS is one of our main concerns because most
students are unable to reclassify because their speaking domain is rated lower
that the other three domains.
Question & Answer 2
Why is it important to provide technology to our curriculum?
Now more than ever it Is important to integrate technology to our lessons. The
new STAAR redesign will seven different testing items and all students will be
tested online. Therefore, students need to practice these skills daily. In addition,
we live in a world were technology is evolving daily and our students tend to
grasp all the new items because it is something they enjoy and are comfortable
with. This would also allow them to communicate with students in other parts of
the world and learn from each other.
 MONITORING AND EVALUATION COMPONENT
The plan must include an evaluation process that enables the school to monitor
progress toward the specific goals and make mid-course corrections in response
to new developments and opportunities as they arise.

(Answer at least 2 questions for each subsection below)

Describe the process for evaluating the plan's overall progress and impact on
teaching and learning.

Question & Answer 1

How will we evaluate and monitor the district goals?
For our goal of providing families with community resources. The district will set
up a needs assessment, which will be conducted at each and the information will
be transferred to the district to provide resources based on needs.
For resources that are only in English the district will provide a translator.
For our goal of equipping families with what they need to enhance learning at
home. The campuses will send out a survey that will assess what the family
needs are and allow us with information on how to support the families. District
resources will be utilized to support the needs of families. The district will also
offer trainings for the families to support their understanding of our technology
programs. There is also many tutorial videos that our technology team has
already made and shared. During registration families also have a field
assessment where they let the district know what parents need support and with
what they need help. DISD staff members will also conduct a needs assessment
and let the district know what is needed to improve or more training on, and then
this is what the district uses to plan for supports. There will be random updates
based on monitoring throughout the year and staff members and parents will be
alerted as needed when a system is being updated or worked on.
Question & Answer 2
How does evaluating the plan support with teaching and learning?
By assessing the needs of students, parents, and staff members it becomes
easier to target the areas that need attention. There could be additional training
that needs to be offered, or there may be resources that the students don’t count
on at home to complete assignments. Therefore, the district will provide the
resources need to make the student learning a successful process. Supporting
teachers with new technology is important because if we don’t support our
teachers through the processes then we are not helping them learn the new
technology gadgets it gracefully implement it in their lessons. Today and the
future is always adding new and improved ways to enrich our teaching and
learning, so we need to be prepared in how and where the newness can be
implemented.
Describe the schedule for evaluating the effect of plan implementation, including
a description of the process and frequency of communicating evaluation results
to tech plan stakeholders.

Question & Answer 1

What is the schedule for evaluating the effect of the plan implementation in our
district?
For the programs that our district uses that are mandatory, all teachers and
administrators must be trained on these platforms. Therefore, everyone is
registered through STRIVE so that the district can keep track of what teachers
and administrators need to attend the next training. For those who do now attend
the district trainings they will be alerted by their campus administrators and
teachers will attend during the campus training days. We also evaluate our Back
to School trainings the same way, even those who are not registered and show
up to the trainings; there in a sign-up sheet that will allow them to note their
information and our Director of Professional Development, Mr. Chad Nuetzmann
will enter their information into Strive for them to receive credit. There will be
need assessments that will be send out at the BOY, MOY, and EOY. These
assessments will have a deadline, and information will be review during A-Team
meetings and Education Services meeting. This will allow all programs to
collaborate together to voice what is needed and when is the best time to provide
support.

Question & Answer 2

How will the information get to all our tech plan stakeholders if only some attend
the meetings?
Our Director of Technology, Dr. Smith is at all our meetings and usually there is
one other technology person that will attend the meetings with her. Because they
are a large team she will usually already have a template of what is being
discussed and will write down all the other programs comments, questions, and
concerns. If she can come up with a plan then she will include it and discuss it
with the Education Service team. Then the information is taken back to her entire
team on Tuesday’s when they meet to discuss anything that is pending.