Keys to Technology Integration

Camilla Saly's

Keys to Technology Integration
For Schools

Every school needs the following in order to fully integrate technology into the school culture:

Technology Coordinator	The Technology Coordinator is the main conduit for technology information for each school, determines the technology needs of the school, supports teachers in the school in implementing technology, troubleshoots computer problems, and acts as a liaison to the Department of Education's offices to gain additional technology support (including hardware and software repairs and installations).
Technology Plan	Each school and program must have a technology plan, which outlines a vision for technology integration. It should include a description of what hardware the school has, how it is used, and how the school community intends technology to be incorporated in the learning environment in the future. The plan should detail specific hardware and staff development needed by the school in order to to complete their technology integration goals. Ted Nellen's Tech Plan webpage is where to start when creating your school's Tech Plan, and look at The Beacon School's NASTT page for examples of Alternative Schools who have created Tech Plans.
TechForum	Dialogue is an essential part of educational growth. Our Technology Coordinators sign up with TechForum, our technology listserv.
Educators Listserv	We have built a new listserv for educators to talk to one another. Sign up by clicking on this link.
Web Publisher	Each school should have a designated school web publisher. The school web publisher maintains the school's web page and makes sure students and others comply with the Department of Education's IAUP (Internet Acceptable Usage Policy). He or she also provides school community members with parent and student sign-off sheets and release forms to optimize student use of the Internet.
Teacher Email	Each teacher must use email. All New York City Department of Education teachers have an Outlook email account. Email is essential for correspondence with the Alternative HS Superintendency It is used as the Department of Technology's principle mode of communication. The Department expects email used to request hardware and software, register for courses, and communicate through listservs.
Teacher Web Sites	Each Alternative, Adult and Continuing Education Schools and Programs teacher can create their own web site, hosted on the Teacher Web Server.
Student Web Sites	Each Alternative HS or Program student can create their own website to exhibit their schoolwork, on the Student Web Server. The websites are a part of class work, are monitored and approved by the teacher, and may provide the student with an online Digital Portfolio that can be used for college entrance.
Education	At the beginning of each semester, courses are listed at this link. We use Cyberschool as a foundation in our staff development, an approach which provides teachers with a comprehensive palette of skills for integrating technology into the curriculum.
Online Courses	Alternative teachers can build courses on Blackboard. They can use it to conduct class discussions online, make supplementary materials available to students, and provide 24-hour access to readings and handouts through this online course development interface. Teachers may also use the free Nicenet online coursebuilder.