Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
student usage
2 computer labs (one
mini/one regular)
available
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Technology has a very important role within instruction at Newton County Theme School. Teachers use Newton County email to
communicate with parents, teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders within the school community. Teachers create
differentiated lesson plans and activities that utilize a variety of technology. All lesson plans are written based on Common Core
standards and Georgia Performance Standards. Students spend at least 45 minutes weekly in the computer lab learning and applying
basic computer skills.
There is a great push to have Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) activities in the classroom. Many teachers and students are
completing these activities quite frequently. The problems that can arise from these planned activities are that all students do not have
their own technology to bring and the internet service seems to get overwhelmed and not able to handle a large amount of wireless
activity at one time.
What strategies have been deployed to date to create a research-based shared vision?
What needs to be done to achieve broad-scale adoption of a research-based vision for technology use that is likely to lead to
improved student achievement?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Professional
development
opportunities provided
to give information and
training to teachers
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Newton County Theme School follows the Newton County Shared Vision that is presented on the Newton County Technology Plan.
The plan is aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards as well as the Common Core standards. Many teachers, parents, and
students are not aware of the technology standards but agree that having active technology within a school building is extremely
important. The original school vision was written by a select few faculty members of the school. This limited faculty involvement
leaves gaps in the plan that could be addressed and adjusted if a larger group was present.
outside of school
An increased number of
iPads, laptops, and other
technology tools are
needed for the size of
our school
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Wireless issues will be ongoing. Technology support from the BOE will continue to work closely with the technology specialist at
NCTS. Involving parents and students in the technology vision for the school will hopefully be steps toward greater technology usage
outside of school. Students will also be made aware of a variety of resources (public library) available outside of school.
Professional Learning
opportunities can be
planned to train teachers
Funding limits IT
support to have to be
shared with multiple
schools
Training on new
technology tools
requires time which
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Many teachers and staff members at NCTS are well-versed in technology usage. Professional learning opportunities can be planned to
assist teachers and increase effective usage of technology.
Plan professional
learning days at the
beginning of the year
based on teacher
interest and need
Continue allowing
Some professional
learning topics are
taught in isolation rather
than within instructional
methods
Poor communication
teachers to attend
professional learning
during the school year
from administration
Busy schedule for
teachers and
administration
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Many learning opportunities are given to teachers throughout the school year and summer through professional learning activities.
Most of the professional learning occur on student half-days. Many times teachers feel like the professional learning activities are not
well planned and are simply thrown together as time fillers. The administration should focus on a few key topics to improve upon each
year. This is what the professional learning should be based on.
Desktop computers
available in the
classrooms and media
center are reliable.
There is a system in
place for requesting
technology help.
An in school technology
leaders is available for
teachers, but she also
has classes of her own
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Summary/Gap Analysis:
The in-house technology leader at our school is knowledgeable and willing to help with issues that arise; however she is also
responsible for her own class. This leads to some issues. The large student population demands the increase in technology. With the
technology increase comes more technology support. We must increase our support level in order to ensure the success of our
students.
Are technology standards aligned to content standards to help teachers integrate technology skills into day-to-day instruction
and not teach technology as a separate subject?
To what extent are there digital curriculum resources available to teachers so that they can integrate technology into the
GPS/QCCs as appropriate?
How is student technology literacy assessed?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Some digital resources
are available for
teachers and student
usage (online textbooks,
websites, online
tutorials)
No ongoing assessment
of technology ability
Great need for digital
resources
Students/parents are not
aware there are
technology standards
Student technology
literacy is not being
assessed at this time.
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Many parents and students are not aware there are technology standards. School systems must begin to address and assess these
standards so that students can become proficient in a variety of technology uses. This can easily be done through the Common Core
Standards. They require that students use higher order thinking skills to complete a variety of tasks. School systems need to make sure
schools are equipped with the right amount of materials for their students in each school.