Technology Facilitation Standard VII. (TF-VII)
Procedures, Policies, Planning, and Budgeting for Technology Environments
Educational technology facilitators promote the development and implementation of technology infrastructure, procedures, policies, plans, and budgets for P-12 schools. Educational technology facilitators:

TF-VII.A. Use the school technology facilities and resources to implement classroom instruction. Candidates:

1. Use plans to configure software/computer/technology systems and related peripherals in laboratory, classroom cluster, and other appropriate instructional arrangements.
2. Use local mass storage devices and media to store and retrieve information and resources.
3. Discuss issues related to selecting, installing, and maintaining wide area networks (WAN) for school districts.
4. 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.
5. Utilize methods of installation, maintenance, inventory, and management of software libraries.
6. Use and apply strategies for troubleshooting and maintaining various hardware/software configurations found in school settings.
7. Use network software packages used to operate a computer network system.
8. 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:

1. Identify instructional software to support and enhance the school curriculum and develop recommendations for purchase.
2. Discuss and apply guidelines for budget planning and management procedures related to educational computing and technology facilities and resources.
3. Discuss and apply procedures related to troubleshooting and preventive maintenance on technology infrastructure.
4. Apply current information involving facilities planning issues and computer related technologies.
5. Suggest policies and procedures concerning staging, scheduling, and security for managing computers/technology in a variety of school/ laboratory/classroom settings.
6. Use distance and online learning facilities.
7. 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:

1. Support technology professional development at the building/school level utilizing adult learning theory.
Reflection
When it comes to spending money, most of us think, "No problem, easy!"  That may be true when it comes to personal spending, but when it comes to budgetary spending for the best results, it puts a lot of pressure on the technology facilitator.  This individual must make sure that they are getting the best price, yet still getting quality products that will be effective in implementing technology into the curriculum.  They also have to make sure that the purchase will last long enough so that the district will not be outdated within a small period of time.  The article review gives the new technology facilitor or media specialist guidelines as to how to purchase technology resources, including hardware, software and staff, to upgrade the current technology status of the building.  TF VII also ensures that the technology facilitator spends in the most efficient manner.  This may include grant writing as an economical way of acquiring resources.  Artifact # 1 is a grant that I wrote for a grant contest in my school district.  I wrote this with two other teachers in 2004, and ended up winning the grant to fund a videoconference to The Great Barrier Reef in Australia for all three of our classes.  Artifact # 2 is a spreadsheet for my 'dream classroom' if I had the budget to purchase whatever I wanted for a single classroom.  Hardware and software is included in this list.  When the technology facilitator has to go shopping, it must be in the most economical, yet updated way.  While this seems like a simple task, it is not one to take lightly.  As I am nearing the end of my educational technology program, I can now fully understand how important it is for the technology facilitator to do the research, and ensure that the budget is being spent in the best possible way.
Article Review Artifact # 1 Artifact # 2
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