Kathleen Jerome

Program of Study

ISTE Technical Facilitator Standards

Technical Facilitators Standard VII

Procedures, Policies, Planning, and Budgeting for Technology Environments.

• TF-VII.A. Use the school technology facilities and resources to implement classroom instruction. Candidates:
  • Use plans to configure software/computer/technology systems and related peripherals in laboratory, classroom cluster, and other appropriate instructional arrangements.
  • Use local mass storage devices and media to store and retrieve information and resources.
  • Discuss issues related to selecting, installing, and maintaining wide area networks (WAN) for school districts.
  • Model integration of software used in classroom and administrative settings including productivity tools, information access/ telecommunication tools, multimedia/hypermedia tools, school management tools, evaluation/portfolio tools, and computer-based instruction.
  • Utilize methods of installation, maintenance, inventory, and management of software libraries.
  • Use and apply strategies for troubleshooting and maintaining various hardware/software configurations found in school settings.
  • Use network software packages used to operate a computer network system.
  • Work with technology support personnel to maximize the use of technology resources by administrators, teachers, and students to improve student learning.


• TF-VII.B. Follow procedures and guidelines used in planning and purchasing technology resources. Candidates:
  • Identify instructional software to support and enhance the school curriculum and develop recommendations for purchase.
  • Discuss and apply guidelines for budget planning and management procedures related to educational computing and technology facilities and resources.
  • Discuss and apply procedures related to troubleshooting and preventive maintenance on technology infrastructure.
  • Apply current information involving facilities planning issues and computer related technologies.
  • Suggest policies and procedures concerning staging, scheduling, and security for managing computers/technology in a variety of school/ laboratory/classroom settings.
  • Use distance and online learning facilities.
  • Describe and identify recommended specifications for purchasing technology systems in school settings.


• TF-VII.C. Participate in professional development opportunities related to management of school facilities, technology resources, and purchases. Candidates:
  • Support technology professional development at the building/school level utilizing adult learning theory.

Reflections

1. Why is this standard important?

   This standard requires that the Technical Facilitator know how to plan for the purchasing, integration and training needed to incorporate technology into the curriculum. The school is relying on them for hardware, pricing, and training expertise, as well as the issues of best usage. This is extremely important, and can make the difference between successful technology integration or an unplanned and failed enterprise. If a school invests money in hardware and software, but has not planned properly, frequently that investment is not used, and the students suffer. It isn't enough to buy software and hardware; one has to have trained teachers who are ready and able to use it, and have students who will benefit from its use. That takes planning.

   The standards progress to the point that the facilitator becomes a true guru. The TF has to know how to

   1. use the software,
   2. show teachers how to use the software,
   3. integrate the technology within the school's curriculum constraints,
   4. understand how to assess students using technology and to clearly describe that assessment to teachers,
   5. keep up to date on technology so that better ideas can be integrated,
   6. understand and outline the social and ethical issues involved, and
   7. plan to meet budgetary and training requirements.
   8. have an overall idea of where technology should lead us and be able to lead the community effectively with effective communication.
   By the time they have reached the 7th standard, the TF's have a comprehensive knowledge of a schools technology requirements.

2. Why have you included each artifact or link?

   I included the second grade budget spreadsheet because it accommodates TF.VII. B in that it identifies "instructional software to support and enhance school curriculum and develops recommendation for purchase." My budget spreadsheet is at http://sheet.zoho.com/public/catnap25/7Hc5GkGXLswGcjEsCnFLkA%3D%3D.

   I included the professional development podcasting session for teachers to accommodate TF. VII. C. because it supports 'technology professional development at the building/school level utilizing adult learning theory." This can be found at http://writer.zoho.com/public/catnap25/My-podcast-lessons1/script.

   I included my previously cited draft chapter on podcasting to accommodate TF.VII.A.4 because it "model(s) the integration of technology" into the curriculum. It is available at http://writer.zoho.com/public/catnap25/Podcasting-draft-chapter1/script.

3. How does this artifact demonstrate that you are a competent and effective technology educator?

   These artifacts show that I can plan to assess, plan for purchasing, train teachers to use new software and hardware, and integrate the software into the schools requirements. That is what an effective and competent Technical Facilitator should do.

4. How might you use this artifact in your future as a technology facilitator or leader?

   Once again, I will use all of my artifacts as templates for similar situations. The software and school requirements will change, but the idea of how to plan for the changes stays the same. I have noticed that the hardware expenditures usually come first, then the software and training. To a certain degree, you can't train without the hardware, the planning is all in the balance of the different needs. Some hardware offers more options than others. These items must be prioritized with an eye toward everything fitting well together within the mission of the school.

5. How will you continue to develop you proficiency with this standard?

   I will continue to plan hardware and software purchases and implementation. The more I plan the more comfortable I will get. I will get the necessary training to understand new products as they become available so that I can make the best possible choices with my school's community.

Artifacts:

Artifact1: To accommodate TF.VII.B I created a hardware and software budget for second grade teachers by gathering answers to a questionnaire and then pricing and assessing the requested tools. This Hardware and software Budget for 2nd Grade classroom can be found at "http://sheet.zoho.com/public/catnap25/7Hc5GkGXLswGcjEsCnFLkA%3D%3D"