Meeting Notes for February 15th, 2012

STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY PLAN COMMITTEE

FEBRUARY 13, 2012 MEETING NOTES

ATTENDING:             Kaitlyn Manns, Rick White, Hal Westwood, Leslie Blake-Davis, Melinda Gowdey, and Rob Putnam

The group reviewed the current strategic plan.  Rick White explained that the template for the plan had been developed by former Assistant Superintendent Paul Swem and that he had been using the template, with minor revisions, for yearly submission to the DESE.  The group agreed that it was high time for a revision.

A picture, or rather an example is worth a thousand words but DESE refuses to share examples of what they consider to be exemplary strategic plans.  They provide guidelines but leave the development of the plan to each individual district. 

The group briefly reviewed the DESE guidelines http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/techplan/10-15guidelines.pdfand left with the understanding that they would give it a close read prior to the next meeting. I have attached plans submitted by our neighbors as examples of how other districts have approached this task.  Please share any plans you believe might serve as a good example or which have ideas or approaches that might benefit out district.

Committee members agreed to collect ideas from their building colleagues about where they see the role technology in education over the next several years.  That collection should include ideas about how to make better use of existing technology and promising technology as yet unavailable in CBRSD to improve teaching and learning.  This information will help us to develop a needs assessment.

It was agreed that Monday afternoons at 3:30 were a good meeting time.  The next three meetings are scheduled for March 5, March 19, and April 2.

Next Steps

•         Build an instrument to collect information on the technology and services currently available in the CBRSD, the degree to which they are being used, and the skill with which they are being used.

•         Build an instrument to collect information on the technology and services that could be used to improve teaching and learning.

•         Build an internet-based way of communicating the work of the committee to the CBRSD staff as well as soliciting direct participation from those not participating in the meetings.

•         Select appropriate assessments that could be used to determine the technology integration and the technology literacy of administration, staff, and students.