Instructional Technology Plan 2021-24

Table of Contents

• Table of Contents
• Greater Johnstown School District Mission & Goals
• District Mission:
• District Goals:
• GJSD Instructional Technology Vision & Goals
• Technology Vision Statement:
• Strategic Technology Goals:
• Action Plans
• Teaching & Learning Action Plans:
• Professional Development Action Plans:
• Hardware & Infrastructure Action Plans:
• Technology Plan Implementation
• Professional Development
• Needs Assessment
• Technology Plan Evaluation
• Appendix

Greater Johnstown School District Mission & Goals

District Mission:

The GJSD will provide and support diverse, quality academic opportunities in collaboration with our community in order to graduate citizens with the knowledge, skills, and ability to promote and succeed in a stronger society.

District Goals:

• Goal 1. Johnstown graduates will be college, career, and civic ready. Students will be proficient and literate in the areas of communication, digital technology and cultural acceptance while exhibiting good citizenship.
• Goal 2. Students shall be engaged in rich and diverse opportunities that encompass personal, cultural, and varied learning experiences. Students should participate in the greater community, be encouraged to participate in goal setting, applied learning, personal expression, and citizenship.
• Goal 3. The Johnstown School District will foster a faculty experience that encourages student engagement through providing freedom and empowerment, access to resources, communication and collaboration, and efforts to allow them to feel supported and valued.
• Goal 4. The Johnstown School District will welcome parents and community members as respected resources for our schools. Effective two-way communication will be fostered among school, parent and community groups. The district will offer a range of opportunities for parent and community involvement.
• Goal 5. The Johnstown School District will maintain a balance between program services and citizens’ contributions. Creative approaches to increasing revenue will be encouraged while decreasing expenses and conservation practices remain vital.

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GJSD Instructional Technology Vision & Goals

Technology Vision Statement:

The Greater Johnstown School District will provide and utilize technology to propel instruction and learning, equitable access to all individuals, and apply a problem solving mindset to engage in the responsible use of technology.

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Strategic Technology Goals:

The Greater Johnstown School District Technology Committee has established the following strategic instructional technology goals:

Teaching and Learning:

1. Students will develop mastery of skills at the appropriate grade and developmental levels to meet the NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards.
2. Students will develop the skills necessary to support their educational goals through responsible and safe use of technology.

Professional Development:

1. Teachers will prepare students to be productive and responsible citizens by incorporating the NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards into the current district curriculum.
2. Teachers will acquire a uniform set of basic skills and the pedagogical techniques to facilitate learner-centered, standards-aligned curricula that integrate the use of technology tools.
3. The Greater Johnstown School District will provide access to relevant and rigorous professional development opportunities pertaining to technology use, technology integration, and the safe and secure use of digital tools.

Hardware and Infrastructure:

1. The District will continue to develop and maintain an appropriate and secure infrastructure in order to ensure the rapidly changing technology needs are implemented and supported.
2. The District will provide a minimum of one computing device per staff member, one computing device per student, and one interactive display device per classroom.

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Action Plans

Teaching & Learning Action Plans:

GOAL 1: Students will develop mastery of skills at the appropriate grade and developmental levels to meet the NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards.

• Year: 2021-2022
  Action Item: Students will be introduced to subject and grade level appropriate instructional technologies (guided by the NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards for students and teachers).
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: Media Specialists, Teachers & Students
• Year: 2021-2022
  Action Item: The District will develop a K-12 scope and sequence for computer science and digital fluency that is aligned to the NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: 6/2022
  Lead Person: Media Specialists, Digital Learning C/I Leaders, Instructional Technology Coaches, Administration
• Year: 2022-2023
  Action Item: Students will apply subject and grade level appropriate instructional technologies.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: Media Specialists, Teachers & Students
• Year: 2023-2024
  Action Item: Students will self-assess and generalize learned computer science and digital fluency skills across school and extra-curricular settings.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: Media Specialists, Teachers & Students

GOAL 2: Students will develop the skills necessary to support their educational goals through responsible and safe use of technology.

• Year: 2021-2022
  Action Item: Students will be introduced to digital citizenship and online safety practices (guided by the NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards for students and teachers).
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: Media Specialists, Teachers & Students
• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: Students will determine strategies to demonstrate safe online practices both in and out of the classroom, aligned with the district-adopted Computer Science and Digital Fluency Curriculum.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: Students
• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: Students will demonstrate the skills required to use technology effectively as learning and production tools, aligned with the district-adopted Computer Science and Digital Fluency Curriculum.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: Students

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Professional Development Action Plans:

GOAL 1: Teachers will prepare students to be productive and responsible citizens by incorporating the NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards into the current district curriculum.

• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: Media Specialists will develop a K-12 Scope and Sequence aligned to the NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: 6/2022
  Lead Person: Media Specialists
• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: Teachers will be introduced to and engage in ongoing, job-embedded and collaborative professional learning to support their implementation of the NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards.
  Start Date: Fall 2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: Teachers, Instructional Technology Coaches, Director of Technology
• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: Teachers will identify, evaluate, and then utilize district approved applications to build student capabilities with the NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: Teachers, Instructional Technology Coaches

GOAL 2: Teachers will acquire a uniform set of basic skills and the pedagogical techniques to facilitate learner-centered, standards-aligned curricula that integrate the use of technology tools.

• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: Teachers will participate in professional development on evidence-based practices for transformative technology integration.
  Start Date: 2021-2022 School Year
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: Teachers, Instructional Technology Coaches, Director of Technology
• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: Teachers will infuse subject and grade level appropriate technology into learner-centered lessons and curricular activities.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: Teachers, Instructional Technology Coaches, Director of Technology
• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: Teachers will self-assess their implementation of technology infused lessons, and determine personal/professional needs and goals.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: Teachers, Instructional Technology Coaches

GOAL 3: The Greater Johnstown School District will provide access to relevant and rigorous professional development opportunities pertaining to technology use, technology integration, and the safe and secure use of digital tools.

• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: The Professional Development Planning Committee will research and develop opportunities for professional growth based on teachers’ self-assessment data.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: Professional Development Planning Committee, Instructional Technology Coaches, Director of Technology
• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: The District will fund and support Instructional Technology Coaches, and short-term Digital Learning Curriculum and Instruction Leaders when appropriate. These teacher leaders will provide embedded professional development and support to their colleagues.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: District Administration
• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: The District will develop and implement a Data Privacy and Security Plan, including annual training for staff.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: District Administration

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Hardware & Infrastructure Action Plans:

GOAL 1: The District will continue to develop and maintain an appropriate and secure infrastructure in order to ensure the rapidly changing technology needs are implemented and supported.

• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: The District will secure funding sources to maintain and improve infrastructure to meet the needs of all educational stakeholders.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: District Administration
• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: The District will continually assess needs for application of appropriate infrastructure.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: District Administration, NERIC CTS Staff
• Year: 2021-2022
  Action Item: The District will purchase and install upgraded security systems, including upgrades of security cameras, integration of phone, camera, and access systems.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: 6/2023
  Lead Person: District Administration, NERIC CTS Staff
• Year: 2021-2022
  Action Item: The District will procure and install updated server infrastructure.
  Start Date: Fall 2021
  Completion Date: June 2022
  Lead Person: District Administration, NERIC CTS Staff
• Year: 2021-2024
  Action Item: The District will develop a complete wireless and local area network (LAN) refresh plan to be procured and implemented in 2025.
  Start Date: Spring 2022
  Completion Date: Spring 2024
  Lead Person: District Administration, NERIC CTS
• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: The District will implement a wireless authentication security system.
  Start Date: Fall 2021
  Completion Date: June 2022
  Lead Person: District Administration, NERIC CTS
• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: The District will implement content filtering and cybersecurity software to protect against malware, ransomware and viruses.
  Start Date: Ongoing
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: District Administration, NERIC CTS

GOAL 2: The District will provide a minimum of one computing device per staff member, one computing device per student, and one interactive display device per classroom.

• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: The District will secure funding sources to maintain and improve infrastructure to meet the needs of all educational stakeholders.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: District Administration
• Year: 2021-Ongoing
  Action Item: The District will continually assess needs for application of appropriate infrastructure.
  Start Date: 9/2021
  Completion Date: Ongoing
  Lead Person: District Administration, NERIC CTS Staff

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Technology Plan Implementation

The most consistent aspect of technology is that it is always evolving and changing. In an effort to keep the technology plan responsive to changing conditions and emerging technologies, Greater Johnstown Central School will implement the following:

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Professional Development

Effective, well-designed, and relevant professional development is essential to keeping our students, faculty, and administration apprised of the most current technology available for use.

Each year, the Greater Johnstown School District will make a coordinated effort to provide a variety of opportunities for high‐quality professional development training for teachers, administrators, and support staff for the successful integration of technology into the curricula.

Participants of all professional development offerings will complete evaluation surveys that will collect data on the value of the session, its effectiveness, and its application to classroom instruction. This information will be used to ensure that professional development offerings remain relevant and effective.

All professional development is informed by the Professional Development Plan, and aligned to the state standards described here.

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Needs Assessment

Each year, the Greater Johnstown School District Technology Committee will conduct surveys to assess the needs of the students, teachers, administration, and staff. The surveys will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Administration, Teacher, and Staff Support Needs
• Student and Teacher Curriculum Needs
• Hardware and Software Needs
• Professional Development needs
• Facility needs
• Barriers to the use and implementation of technology
• Repair needs

The technology committee will use those results to determine the effectiveness of the implementation of the technology plan and make recommendations for technology plan adjustments, professional development offerings, hardware and software purchases, and the provision of resources.

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Technology Plan Evaluation

Evaluation and adjustment of the technology plan is a continuous process. As new technology opportunities and developments arise, outdated existing technology needs to be phased out. Each year, Technology Committee members will be recruited from school personnel. The committee will implement the strategies set forth in this plan, review technology requests, new technology and existing technology to determine its effectiveness.

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Appendix

1. NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards
2. ISTE Standards:
   • For Students
   • For Teachers
   • For Educational Leaders
   • For Coaches
3. Data Privacy & Security Plan
4. Professional Development Plan
5. Instructional Technology Coach Job Description
6. Digital Learning Curriculum & Instructional Leader Job Description
7. Tech & Virtual/Hybrid Teaching Guides/Resources

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