Technology+Plan+Preparation

=Strategic Goal= The strategic goal of International School of Helsinki for Technology is to create a school and community‐wide educational environment, incorporating the use of technology. Through the use of technology, ISH will address the needs of teachers, students, administrators and parents thereby providing opportunities for personal and professional enrichment and anywhere, anytime life‐long learning.

Technologically‐rich learning opportunities will be available to all students and staff;
 * Access to on‐campus web 2.0 tools to communicate and publish including blogs and file, photo & video sharing applications.
 * Personal portable computing devices (laptops) for each student grade 6‐12.
 * The use of technology will reinforce, enhance and extend the learning process in all grades.
 * School staff, including teachers, administrators and aides, will demonstrate proficiency in using technology as appropriate to their area of responsibility.
 * will adhere to National Education Technology Standards (NETS) set forth by the ISTE for teachers, students and administrators which includes a standards revision cycle. ISH has a periodic review of our curriculum and its adherence to those standards.

= Strategies to Implement the Goal = To accomplish the goals and objectives of this plan, the school will provide an ongoing and creative commitment to the fast‐changing demands of modern technology. During the next three years, a number of strategies will support the implementation of the plan.

1. Equitable Access to Technology

 * Endeavor to see an equitable distribution of level appropriate technology throughout the two divisions; lower and upper schools.
 * Endeavor to maintain a sufficient number of technology support staff (technical/logistical and educational) so that all requests for assistance can be handled in an appropriate and reasonable time and matter.
 * Access to technology will be available to students for enrichment and support of the classroom learning process before, during and after school hours.
 * Provide opportunities for students to electronically access school resources, assignments, and other information during non‐school hours.

2. Technology and Learning

 * The school will use its existing curriculum development process to ensure the incorporation of technology into all planned courses and to articulate the scope and sequence, K‐12.
 * Each student and staff member will have access to a host of online educational tools for research, email, file transfer and other appropriate learning opportunities to enhance: Creativity and Innovation Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Communication and Collaboration Skills Information Literacy
 * The school will develop and support staff members through the continued development of professional development opportunities.
 * Each classroom will have access to the Internet and the school’s networked resources.
 * Each classroom will also be equipped with;
 * 1) Digital Video (LCD) projector or smartboard
 * 2) Audio/video (sound) system
 * 3) Access to networked printers
 * 4) Document camera (Lower School).
 * Each professional staff member will be equipped with a portable computing device for use in their work. A three year replacement program will ensure that the goals of the technology plan are achieved. Teachers will have the opportunity to replace their portable computing devices at the end of this cycle.
 * Students in Grades 6‐12 will have access to a portable computing device through a 1 to 1 Laptop program. ISH will provide these laptops to the students as a resource.
 * The 1 to 1 laptop program timeline is as follows:
 * 2012-2013: Teachers will receive the laptops and will be trained on this computers and software to begin unit integration of technology when appropriate
 * 2013-2014: Grades 6-8 will receive their laptops and training will be provided via Homeroom, ICT classes and day to day lessons
 * 2014-2015: Grades 9-12 will receive their laptops and training will be provided via Homeroom, ICT classes and day to day lessons
 * Support school‐owned portable computing devices grades 3‐5.
 * Support school‐owned compuEng devices in grades PreK‐2 for classroom use.

3. Resources Available

 * The school will endeavor to create community awareness of the ISH technology program to promote the use of educational technologies.
 * The continued development of the school’s online resources will demonstrate the uses of technology, provide communication resources, suggest links for additional information and provide interaction opportunities with the community.

4. School‐based Technology Management

 * The school’s Admin, Network Manage and Technology Specialists will meet regularly to assess progress of the Plan and to recommend revisions when needed and appropriate
 * The Network Manager will ensure the continued development and periodic review of a network security plan and an emergency recovery plan for all networked systems.
 * Furniture standards for future equipment will include use and accommodation of technologies that are age appropriate and comfortable for students.
 * The school will set up and use a web based online help system to streamline the help system for both the technology and support services departments.

5. Staff Proficiency in Technology

 * ISH will provide relevant and appropriate professional development opportunities in using technology to enhance the educational process for faculty, administrators and support staff. Topics will include:
 * The school will recognize staff members that are able to demonstrate the effective use of technology in their classrooms and are able to share their knowledge base with others in the school and community. The school will encourage and nominate professional staff who are role models in instructional technology for further professional development. This will include:
 * 1) Recognition of educators who effectively integrate technology curriculum and professional practice.
 * 2) Recognition of educators who demonstrate use of technology for collaboration and planning.
 * 3) Recognition of educators who demonstrate expertise in empowering students and their own learning.
 * The school will endeavor to hire staff with backgrounds in technology integration.
 * The school will provide professional development opportunities for its technical staff

6. Promote Technology Learning Standards

 * Appropriate technology standards outlined in the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards will be used to insure that all students have a competency in the use of new technologies. Example of coursework and students learning outcomes may encompass hardware certifications and software development training. The ISTE standards will be used to match appropriate hardware and software to identified tasks. (See secEon J for SAS Technology Standards based on ISTE)
 * As part of an annual evaluation of the use of technology as part of the learning environment, the teachers will evaluate the impact of the increased use of technology in assisting students reach educational goals and standards. In addition, the review process will endeavor to identify new uses for technology to improve teaching techniques and to better serve individual needs.
 * Students will develop electronic portfolios that demonstrate competency in all subjects.
 * Upper School students will continue to receive assistance in using technology to prepare for success at university and college and for career planning.

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