GTCC 3 Year Technology Plan

GOAL 1 

Effective organization of technology resources to help member Districts achieve their goals.
Objectives 
Activities 
1.1 Provide technology outreach.
1.2 Provide database of resources i.e., educators, Internet Sites, web based pages, links, etc.
1.1.1 Review and revise technology outreach needs.
1.1.2 Establish training opportunities for students, staff, and adult community members based on data supplied by self evaluation rubric.
1.2.1 Survey GTCC teachers and administrators to identify resources and favorite sites.
1.2.2 Post web pages which inform and educate readers about best practices.
1.2.3 Provide print documents and links to quality content areas.
1.2.4 Post on the website all video/training manual material available in the GTCC resource library, including texts on educational research, magazines, and examination texts.  Update as resources materials are purchased or acquired.
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GOAL 2 

Directly and indirectly support curriculum, instruction and learning technology of member Districts.
Objectives 
Activities 
2.1 Develop a plan for the integration of technology into the curriculum
2.2 Provide appropriate teacher training.
2.3 Facilitate the implementation of interdisciplinary curriculum.
2.4 Provide appropriate training across curriculum.
2.2.1 Create model for integration of technology information curriculum. 
2.1.a Hold departmental meetings.
2.1.b Hold cross curricular meetings.
2.1.c Require at least two technology integrated units of study per semester.
2.1.d Arrange flexible schedules to accommodate multidisciplinary units.
2.2.1 Provide in-service opportunities, specifically for curriculum integration by Technology Integration Specialist.
2.2.2 Offer Summer Institutes.
2.3.1 Provide integration model with follow-up visits by Technology Integration Specialist.
2.4.1 Schedule inservices in all curriculum, grade level areas and job responsibilities.
2.4.2 Solicit teachers for training mentors.  Then select and train the trainers to be integration and resource specialists within their districts.
2.4.3 Use teacher mentors to provide training on current H/W, S/W and integration strategies.
2.4.4 Train member district teachers in the application of software.
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GOAL 3 

Staff development in use of technology is integral and ongoing for member districts.
Objectives 
Activities 
3.1 Provide appropriate training that will facilitate learning of technology across curriculum.
3.2 Provide mechanism for staff communication.
3.3 Provide adequate time for quality professional development.
3.1.1 Schedule in-services in all curriculum, grade level areas and job responsibilities.
3.1.2 Solicit teachers as training mentors.
3.1.3 Provide and encourage participation through professional development opportunities for technology training.
3.1.4 Use teacher mentors to provide training on current H/W, S/W, and integration.
3.2.1 Develop an interactive website.
3.2.2 Provide training for METNET (communication system).
3.3.1 Apply for 3-one-half day early dismissals for technology training.
3.3.2 Develop Summer Institutes and/or evening programs for technology training that will offer OPI renewal units or college credit.
3.3.3 Provide money for substitutes.
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GOAL 4 

Utilize technology for efficient information management for all member Districts.
Objectives 
Activities 
4.1 Promote efficient time management practices for GTCC committees.
4.2 Promote collaboration and interaction among students and classroom of member schools.
4.3 Encourage the sharing of subscription web service among member schools.
4.1.1 Develop the GTCC website to handle interactive communications between members of all GTCC committees.
4.1.2 Use existing ITV systems to complete committee work.
4.2.1 Refine the GTCC website to handle cooperative integrated classroom projects between schools, and across the curriculum.  The goal is the creation of  a "virtual workspace" in the GTCC website for collaborative projects.
4.2.2 Recommend standardized cross-platform compatible software programs be installed by all GTCC member districts to insure seamless integration and sharing of collaborative work efforts.
4.2.3 Provide needs survey to identify those districts and teachers who need assistance in software installation, hardware upgrades, and training.
4.3.1 Prepare a data base of active web service subscriptions  disseminate links and passwords to member districts.
4.3.2 Facilitate ongoing discussions and user group activities which focus on effective use of web services, via GTCC website and METNET.
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GOAL 5 

Develop a technology funding plan that is equitable, adequate, realistic, and sustainable.
Objectives 
Activities 
5.1 Seek major funding through aggressive grant applications, both private and public.
5.2 Promote the development of technology within GTCC member districts.
5.3 Coordinate federal funds on behalf of member districts that qualify for professional development.
5.4 Encourage and support parent and community involvement.
5.5 Develop partnerships with agencies outside GTCC member districts i.e. state, federal, and private foundation grant opportunities.
5.1.1 Host frequent Technology Committee meetings to seek out grant possibilities and make application for a variety of grant opportunities.
5.2.1 Form a focus group to inform member district school boards and establish an awareness of technology needs and funding sources.
5.2.2 Share member district solutions of effective technology development via GTCC staff.
5.3.1 Disperse designated funds to appropriate technology activities.
5.4.1 Identify and secure commitments from community partners willing to share resources and/or participate in planning to develop future resources.
5.4.2 Provide community partners with awareness training and leadership roles in technology planning, development, and advocacy.
5.4.3 Recognize or acknowledge efforts of community partners and leaders.
5.5.1 Participate in programs developed with funds awarded to agencies outside of GTCC member districts.
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GOAL 6 

Expand communications resources within the Consortium and outside the Consortium to meet emerging needs.
Objectives 
Activities 
6.1 Establish telecommunications programs that involve multi-district collaboration.
6.2 Extend the boundaries of learning.
6.1.1 Train member districts' staffs and students to identify and link to other school districts around the world.
6.1.2 Establish interactive distance learning through telecommunications.
6.1.3 Work with K-16 partnerships in establishing and implementing viable collaborative projects.
6.2.1 Establish home access to the consortium pages and website.  Website will have a community page and links to other member district community websites.
6.2.2 Set up tutoring programs through website.
6.2.3 Establish classes which focus on information access and management via the GTCC website.
6.2.4 Provide distance learning opportunities.
6.2.5 Link adults to online service and educational training opportunities ie online classes.
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GOAL 7 

Directly and indirectly support and facilitate the Montana School Improvement Project on behalf of all local member districts.
Objectives 
Activities 
7.1 Educate administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community members for the need to change.
7.2 Facilitate needs assessment to determine areas of school improvement of GTCC member school districts.
7.3 Provide professional development to educate teachers, administrators, parents, and community members which will provide a vision and facilitate the use of technology to implement change.
7.4 Support pre-service teacher programs and university training which emphasizes the integration and embedding of technology into instructional strategies.
7.1.1 Develop and update links on the GTCC website to Montana School Improvement Plan from the Office of Public Instruction.
7.1.2

Develop and update informative pages on the GTCC website about school improvement in the GTCC including:
Standards & Benchmarks
Assessment
Data for Profiles
Professional Development
GTCC Best Practices Links
7.1.3 Distribute information about GTCC programs via newsletters, articles and community programming to the public throughout member districts.
7.2.1 Conduct technology self-assessment profile survey for teachers.
7.2.2 Conduct administrative planning and support survey for district technology implementation.
7.2.3 Use data to determine areas of strengths as well as areas of need.
7.3.1 GTCC Summer Institutes
7.3.2 Technology training by technology outreach based on needs assessment.
7.3.3 Leadership for Excellence training for GTCC administrators.
7.4.1 Work with pre-service teachers at MSU-Northern; a University partner of the GTCC.  Provide support to the university system as needed to develop technology training skills and programs for pre-service teachers.
7.4.2 Provide support and consultation to the university system as needed to develop technology training skills and programs for targeting pre-service teachers.
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GOAL 8

Utilize technology to impact student learning in all local member districts.
Objectives 
Activities 
8.1 Implement Montana Technology Standards for technology into all curricular areas.
8.2 Establish new learning environments incorporating new instructional strategies.
8.3 Provide assessment models for teachers and students that evolve out of the learning environment.
8.1.1 Member districts include Montana Technology Standards into curriculum alignment and review process as part of Project Excellence of the Montana School Improvement Plan.
8.2.1 Provide professional development for incorporating new strategies of technology into teaching such as:
Traditional Learning Environments New Learning Environments
  • Teacher-centered instruction
  • Single sense stimulation
  • Single path progression
  • Single media
  • Isolated work
  • Information delivery
  • Passive learning
  • Factual, knowledge-based
  • Reactive response
  • Isolated, artificial context
  • Unengaged learner
  • Student-centered learning Multisensory stimulation
  • Multipath progression
  • Multimedia
  • Collaborative work
  • Information exchange
  • Active/exploration/inquiry-based learning
  • Critical thinking & informed decision-making
  • Proactive/planned action
  • Authentic, real-world problem based context
  • Engaged learner
8.3.1 Provide teachers access to assessment materials to determine impact of technology on student learning i.e., pre-post documents, self and group assessments.
8.3.2 Provide teacher access to assessment materials for student use which evolve out of the learning environment.
8.3.3 Provide "packaged" units of standard based performance assessments and rubrics which can be used in classrooms and be used as prototypes for building other assessments.
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GOAL 9

Develop an evaluation system to determine technology needs of local member district program adjustments and technology plan effectiveness.
Objectives 
Activities 
9.1 Provide evaluation tools to determine the training, equipment, and software needs within member districts.
9.2 Develop formative evaluation tools to identify adjustments required for continued effectiveness of technology plan.
9.3 Create summative evaluation tools to determine the effectiveness of GTCC technology activities have on the impact on student learning
9.4 Develop performance assessments for identification of student proficiencies in technology to meet state standards and local curricular objectives.
9.5 Provide software to collect data for the purpose of making decisions regarding school improvement.
9.1.1 Conduct self-evaluation of technology proficiencies for students and staff members online at www.gtccmt.org
9.1.2 Complete Administrative Survey (District and Building).
9.1.3 Complete classroom technology use survey.
9.1.4 Compile student standardized test scores at onset of plan.
9.2.1 Completion of Tech Check evaluation tools periodically to determine how much and the types of technologies being used in classrooms by both teachers and students.
9.2.2 Compile picture documentation of training sessions.
9.2.3 Completion of training session evaluations.
9.3.1 Repeat self-evaluations at project's end to gather data concerning growth and success of training.
9.3.2 Compile and compare test scores for classes whose teachers did and did not receive technology training.
9.3.3 Keep on going log of technology integration.
9.3.4 Repeat Administrative Survey to indicate growth or lack thereof.
9.4.1 Create performance assessment that evaluates student proficiencies for use by member districts.
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