Understanding Your Schools Technology Culture

I. Technological Capacity and Capabilities

1. What kind of technology is available to you?
a. Mac computer labs
b. Google apps EDU domain
c. Classroom projector
d. Smartboard/Mimeo board
e. Some classroom laptop carts (sketchy)
f. Canvas Learning Management System
g. Eduvision video portal
h. Atomic Learning technology tutorial site
i. PowerSchool Student Management System
j. Ongoing professional development seminars (after school)
2. What internet capability is available?
a. 400 mb/sec
b. Wireless throughout building
c. Gigabit network throughout the district
3. How is computer and internet access provided? Dispersed
computers? 1 to 1? Labs? Can students use their own equipment?
a. Some departments have carts, which are not normally shared
with other departments. There are two 30 machine computer
labs and 30 machines in the library. Students can bring their
own devices and access an open wireless network.
b. The district is working toward a 1:1 device solution.
4. What kinds of filters are in place, and how do they restrict what you
might want to do?
a. Lightspeed internet filter.
i. Limits YouTube
ii. Limits social networking except for the districts Google
Apps EDU domain (Google +)
iii. Default policies block sites in compliance with the
Childrens Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

5. If resources like social media are blocked, are there intranet

options? Are there ways to get special permission to use blocked
resources?
a. Yes. Google + through the districts Google Apps EDU
domain.
b. There are some protocols to bypassing and using some
resources such as Youtube. Requests can be made through the
districts online support desk and are then evaluated.
6. Who has the specialty gear (cameras, scanners, etc.) and can you
use it?
a. There is some in the library.
b. There is no central repository for these other than those that
are content department centered
7. What is your best sense of the technology that your students have
at home? To what extent can you expect them to have access to
technology and internet access outside school to work on school
projects?
a. Last years survey indicated that around 90% of students
have access to the internet at home. (District survey)
b. Access to the hardware is also good at home although more
limited.
II. Leadership and Policies
8. Does your school have a mission statement and an educational
technology plan? If so, when were they last updated? Attach them or
provide a link to them from your blog.
a. Currently in revision stages. I got ahold of the old plan from
the Southeast Regional Resource Center (SERRC). According
to the Technology Coordinator, this has been a valued and
guiding document since 2009.
9. Are missions and plans used and generally valued at school? Do
you use them?

a. As per the district Technology Coordinator, the missions and

plans were partially addressed but did not necessarily drive
decisions and spending within the district.
10. Do the missions and plans address the issues of digital
citizenship, or of developing a balanced view of technology adoption?
a. Yes
11. Is technology well-funded at your school? Do you see signs of
technology rotation, professional development and on-going
maintenance of existing equipment?
a. Technology is relatively well-funded; however, there are some
aspects that are not. For example, my experience has been that
support and machine maintenance are very slow and reactive.
This is the case, particularly with the mobile labs, because of the
unique situation that they are department owned.
b. Hardware rotation not so much. No rotation, but according
to the Technology Coordinator, this is being addressed this year.
c. Professional Development has good goals but is not allotted
enough time to be very effective.
12. Does your school have Internet use and parent permission
policies? When were they last updated? Attach them or provide a link
to them from your blog.
a. Yes. These can be accessed at
http://www.kgbsd.org/Page/3002
13. Has your school adopted or established competencies for
students? When were they last updated? Attach them or provide a
link to them from your blog.
a. No formal competencies established other than what is
outlined in the technology plan, which is outdated.
14. Who are the ed tech leaders within your school? Does your
school have an ed tech committee? Is it active? What are its
responsibilities?
a. Bill Whicker Technology Coordinator
b. At this time, there is no ed-tech committee. However, I have
been informed that an Ad Hoc ed-tech committee is currently in

the process for formalizing. This will include members from the
administration and community, teachers, and students.
15. Who are the student leaders in technology? Are there programs
that allow them to use their expertise to help teachers and other
students? Are there special programs that allow them to pursue their
interests?
a. There was a Student Tech Team in place, but was abandoned
last year after the responsible teacher left.
b. There are programs that are funded through the Digital
Teaching Initiative grant that will allow students to pursue their
interests in cutting edge technologies. In particular, the school is
developing an Unmanned Aerial Systems curriculum; the
hardware is already purchased. Also, the school is one of 4
nationwide participating in the Global Earthquake Forecast
System, which is interdisciplinary (revolving around monitors
placed at the school) and reports to USGS.
16. Are community members involved in regards to using technology
in your school?
a. Not currently observed.
17. If something breaks, who fixes it? How do you contact them? Are
corrective and on-going maintenance well supported?
a. The technology department. There is an online support
system where staff can submit a request. Corrective and ongoing maintenance are supported marginally.