Elementary School Meetings on Technology:

1. Building technology use description:

There was large disparity among U-46 elementary schools regarding technology use. Some were avid technology users, others were not.

Major factors affecting technology use were:

• Dependability of existing technology.
• Existence of technology advocates (principal and/or teachers) in the building.

2 . Recommendations for improvement?

• Technology access, dependability, and support
  • Upgrade hardware before concentrating on professional development
  • Add continuous onsite technical support
  • Provide computer lab assistants (PTO shouldn't have to pay for technical support)
  • Increase number of classroom computers
  • Improve printer access
  • Provide a lab support person or a certified computer skills teacher
  • Provide enough lab computers to accommodate all students in a class
  • Continue support for technology innovative schools

• Instructional support and professional development
  • Add an instructional technology resource person or reinstate technology mentor program
  • Implement a district-wide technology curriculum aligning technology professional growth with Road Map
  • Provide assistance with SIP technology piece
  • Expand technology use beyond student tech skills.
  • Add a certified computer teacher to teach student computer skills
  • Provide building-level training during the day or after school
  • Provide summer courses with stipends and/or college credit courses
  • Develop a district standard for teacher technology skills and support that standard with available professional development for current and new teachers
  • Provide professional development that aligns with year-round schedules