Infrastructure for Technology

The infrastructure of a school is the critical element of support for all areas of the Long Range technology plan. Infrastructure is required to provide a quality education to all students so through technology, students can receive an education that is individualized for their learning needs, and an opportunity for success in the workforce and in higher education. Infrastructure of technology major goal is to promote schools to provide 1:1 ratio of computers and students. When individuals have to share computers, the technology revolution ceases. One student is the observer while the other student is progressing the necessary skill. Infrastructure also focuses on using technology to enrich the learning process through video streaming, pod casts, animation, and other components related to distance learning. With the implementation of some components of the Long Range technology plan the state is requiring districts to provide parents with immediate access to data and information essential to the success of the students, such as the online grade books. These online programs allow parents to see their child's grades immediately as well as their attendance. Some schools have a system that allows the parents to see what their child ate for lunch and any books they checked out from the library. I believe for successful implementation, the current technology that is available needs to be sustained through regular maintenance, upgrades, and technical support. As schools increase their dependency on technology, the number of qualified individuals apart of the technical staff to ensure a rapid response is going to be a critical element of the success of this plan. An inclusive support system consisting of the school personnel, parents, students, community and business leaders are needed to provide a stable foundation, so schools are able to allocate 30% of its budget towards the integration of technology in the curriculum for the purpose of increasing student achievement.