Alabama State University

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Technology Plan 2007

The following technology plan is in the development stage.  It is based on the 2003 Technology plan as revised in 2005.  The technology committee has more closely tied the Technology strategies to the NCATE standards.  Progress of the technology committee along with faculty technology utilization surveys, and technology training are documented in the Supporting Artifacts.  Much of the revision has and is taking place using wikispaces.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: (Purpose)

“To Begin with the End in Mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you're going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.”

---7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey

 The Alabama State University College of Education Technology Plan is the roadmap used to determine the path which this organization will take in order to integrate technology into all of its daily operations. The Technology Plan arises out of the needs of all the constituents impacted by the utilization of technology according to needs assessments and audits. It addresses these concerns and prioritizes them with available resources. The Technology Plan is closely linked with the University and College of Education’s overall goals and is based on best practices which have been researched and proven effective. It helps to prevent unnecessary – and sometimes costly – activities which do not align with the specific goals and objectives. The Technology Plan also helps to create a cohesive vision shared by all stakeholders in the College of Education. It is the strategic tool creating a framework for a myriad of individual strategies and actions that must take place to bring everything together successfully in this 21st century learning environment.

 RATIONALE: (Research)

Increasingly, technology is poised to revolutionize teaching, learning, and assessment. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE, http://www.ncate.org/) is the official body for accrediting teacher preparation programs. In keeping with new demands for teachers skilled in integrating technology into instruction, NCATE adopted standards that place added emphasis on several areas, including technology. NCATE has also taken part in several initiatives designed to spread technology knowledge to university faculty, teacher candidates, and teachers already in the classroom.

 The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE, http://www.iste.org) provides leadership and service to improve teaching, learning, and school leadership by advancing the effective use of technology in PK–12 and teacher education.  The National Educational Technology Standards (NETS, http://cnets.iste.org), which provide standards for students, integrating curriculum technology, technology support, and standards for student assessment and evaluation of technology use, have been adopted by the Alabama State Department of Education.

 Arthur E. Wise, president of NCATE, noted that "As technology moves from the periphery to the center in P–12 schools, it should also move from the periphery to the center in teacher candidate preparation. We must all work together to help ensure that tomorrow’s teachers are prepared for the challenges of teaching in the 21st century."

 According to the NCATE report, Technology and the New Professional Teacher: Preparing for the 21st Century Classroom,

Teacher education institutions must prepare their students to teach in tomorrow’s classrooms. Rather than wait to see what tomorrow’s classrooms will be like, they must experiment with the effective application of computer technology for teaching and learning in their own campus practice. Today’s teacher candidates will teach tomorrow as they are taught today.

 With a vision in hand, the teacher education faculty need to plan how their vision can be realized. The "plan" must be more than a technology acquisition plan that focuses on how to acquire, allocate, and amortize hardware and software. The plan must be tightly linked to other planning processes in the college and include suggestions for integrating technology across the curriculum, for providing faculty development, and for building the support structure the program will require. Steps for reallocations within the existing budget as well as ideas for seeking external funds are also a part of a good plan. The budget planning process must also include the recurrent costs associated with technologies - which include maintenance as well as upgrading.

Perhaps the most important part of a sound plan is the specified outcomes for the students who are enrolled in the teacher education program. What knowledge, skills, and attitudes will they acquire from the teacher education program that are essential for them to perform successfully in technology-enriched P–12 classrooms?

 For these reasons, the Alabama State University College of Education strives to develop and implement a sound technology plan that will continue to drive teaching, learning and administrative practices into the 21^st century.

 TECHNOLOGY VALUE STATEMENTS: “This is what we believe is important…”

• We value a systematic approach to planning that includes quality leadership, administrative support, and adequate funding that enhances the technology mission of the College of Education.
• We value the development of a technology infrastructure that enhances the teaching, research, and clinical experiences of faculty, staff, candidates, and stakeholders.
• We value technology that is innovative, reliable, accessible, and secure.
• We value the utilization of data for technology decision-making and program improvement.
• We value the utilization of technology innovation that enhances communication and collaboration with faculty, staff and stakeholders.

 TECHNOLOGY VISION: “This is the big picture -- why technology is important and how it will support our learning environment…”

It is the vision of the Alabama State University's College of Education that all students, faculty and administrators be provided with current technology tools and training so that they will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to be competitive in the global market. Technology integration will help to create a learning environment that offers access to a wealth of resources and opportunities that encourage new ways of teaching and learning that extend beyond the walls of traditional classrooms. By utilizing technology efficiently not only in administrative functions, but also through instructional and evaluative practices, the College of Education will develop successful practitioners who value lifelong professional learning, are effective decision makers and significantly impact their culture and society.

 TECHNOLOY MISSION: “This is our purpose and how we will achieve our vision…”

It is the mission of the Alabama State University’s College of Education to prepare teachers, instructional support personnel, and other professionals who are highly qualified and entrepreneurial decision makers equipped with the technological knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for reflective practice.  Faculty, students, staff, candidates, and external stakeholders will accomplish this mission by modeling the utilization and integration of technology in their teaching, research, and clinical programs within the College of Education programs, as well as to the wider university, K-12 schools and the community.

 TECHNOLOGY GOALS: “These outline the areas in which you will focus your efforts…may change over time”

Goal 1: Create a technologically rich educational environment where candidates can become effective decision makers.

Goal 2: Create technologically adept educators who are reflective practitioners, change agents, and lifelong learners.

Goal 3: Enhance faculty members’ abilities to model instructional technology.

Goal 4: Continue refining courses to include current technologies/interfaces (BlackBoard).

Goal 5: Continue providing current technology resources to faculty and candidates.

Goal 6: Training for the Staff in the COE.

 GOALS: (REVISED 2007)

1. Establish and improve the use of technology to support COE teaching and learning, research, and clinical experiences resulting in effective decision makers.

(previously Goals 1, 2, 5) NCATE 1, 3

2. Establish a model for training COE faculty, staff and students in the use of technology creating adept educators who are reflective practitioners, change agents and lifelong learners.

(previously Goal 3, 6) NCATE 5 

3. Ensure COE will be in compliance with federal and state regulations to meet the needs of a diverse faculty and student body through the use of current and emerging technology tools.

(new goal) NCATE 4

4. Establish and improve technology to support COE academic services and administrative processes.

(previously Goal 4) NCATE 2, 6

 STRATEGIES: (Objectives)

ACTIVITIES: (Action Steps and Data Sources) These are the specific steps put into place to accomplish STRATEGY/GOAL X…”