District Technology Task Force

Technology Task Force Charge:  To develop a framework for instructional technology that will transform education in Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake to provide teachers with incentives, resources and support, and students with learning opportunities that will prepare them to succeed in school and life.  The framework should include:

Tech Integration:  To develop a model program to ensure that all teachers and support staff are skilled and experienced in integrating technology in various content areas to guide K-12 students to achieve challenging academic standards.  To develop a course of action that will ensure that instructional technology is integrated into all classrooms throughout the district.

• How do we provide a level of assurance that students will receive quality technology instruction in any class to which they are assigned?
• What are the appropriate levels of expectations for all staff?
• How do we assist teachers as they implement new technology skills?
• How do we establish communication across grade levels to guarantee consistent instruction that builds from one level to the next?
• How do we utilize technology to address unique interests and learning needs of individual students?
• How do we determine the effectiveness of emerging technologies (hardware, software) and how do we incorporate them to transform teaching and learning?

Staff Development:  To develop a professional development plan for all teachers, support staff, and administrators in the use of technologies for learning and assessment.  To develop guidelines that will ensure that every teacher has access to research, examples and innovations to learn best practices and include these in their daily instructional activities.

• How do we support technologically advanced staff members to allow them to pursue interests and further develop their expertise?

• When should staff development take place?  How do we embed staff development into daily/weekly schedules?

• What approach to staff development promotes teamwork and collegiality?

Technology Support:  To develop recommendations that will provide a system of technology support to meet the demands of the district’s hardware and software infrastructure. 

• What measures should be established to ensure that district equipment will function as an integrated part of instructional delivery (i.e. make sure that equipment works when it needs to work)?

• Is there a need to join the administrative and instructional networks to facilitate easier, remote monitoring?

• What software tool will enable building lab assistants to monitor and configure in-house computers?

• What system can be put in place that allows for evaluation of the technology support system?