Three Year Technology Plan

July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2014

After its inception in 1979, Paideia School's technology program has been guided by a series of technology plans. Originally, plans covered a period of five years. In 1996, the time frame for plans was reduced to a period of three years. The rapid advances in technology and the exponential growth of the use of technology at Paideia dictated this response. Through the years, every goal on each plan was accomplished in a shorter time frame than the outline originally proposed. Many teachers, parents, and students have contributed and continue to contribute to the success of Paideia's technology program. It is a program that continues to receive national recognition on an ongoing basis and serves as a model for technology in the curriculum.

Overview: Assessment of Current Services

The technology program at Paideia is an integral part of our academic program. We are using Macintosh and Windows microcomputers in labs, in classroom learning stations, and in the media centers. In addition the use of netbooks, iPods, iPads are integrated into the curriculum. Currently, there are 706 computers in use campus-wide. For a current student body of 920 students K-12, more than 660 of these computers are for instructional purposes. The school has a substantial software collection.

The school has a Metro Ether Net connection running at 20 M with a T-1 failover. The Metro Ether Net connection can be upgraded to 1 G with a software modification.

Students in the elementary grades use tutorial programs in math, spelling, word recognition, reading comprehension, science, and social studies. Programs to develop logic/thinking skills are used extensively. The use of the word processor contributes substantially to the success of creative writing classes. Keyboarding is addressed using online tutorials and practice activities. Web 2.0 tools are used extensively. The elementary school has adopted a technology skills list by grade level to ensure the regular use of technology by students and teachers.

Students in the high school use technology to aid learning in many areas. In physics an in chemistry simulation programs allow students to explore interactions and situations impossible to duplicate in a laboratory. Laboratory tool kits and probes in conjunction with laptops are being used. We offer optional classes and independent studies in advanced areas including HTML, PhotoShop, Python, apps programming, web page design, and robotics. Junior high and high school students also use instructional programs in language arts, social studies, French and Spanish, music, art, and mathematics. The school newspaper and yearbook are published using Macintosh computers and desktop publishing software. Creative Writing and Writing Workshop classes are held in computer labs. Foreign language classes regularly use the Internet for researching newspapers and other materials published in the language of study. Podcasting is used extensively for oral history projects, in foreign language classes and with younger students to encourage reading.

Our campus-wide network has been expanded through the use of wireless technology. Laptop computers have been provided to our faculty. We are also investigating the use of student laptop computers using netbooks and iPads.

Program Goals

• Technology is a necessary life skill that students need to use efficiently and effectively. Included in the list of technology skills is the use of digital media, the Internet and Web 2.0 tools.
• Technology should support the curriculum.
• Technology should serve as a resource for teachers and improve classroom instruction.
• Technology should make record keeping effective and efficient for teachers, staff, and school administration.

Recommendations for Future Growth

We recognize that Paideia is already doing many things well. Our focus has shifted from building an infrastructure to maintaining it and using it to its fullest potential. To continue to improve our technology program, we will focus on these critical areas:

1. Current instructional uses of technology need to be reviewed and new opportunities need to continue to be explored. The iPad pilot project is one example of investigating new technology.
2. The use of quality internet resources, web 2.0 tools and eBooks need to continue to expand.
3. A more systematic plan is being developed for working with classes and subject areas.
4. Staff development opportunities for faculty and staff need to continue at least at the current level.
5. The network hardware and computers need to continue to be replaced and upgraded on a regular basis.
6. Our infrastructure including servers, switches, hubs and wireless points needs to be evaluated and reassessed.

Professional Development

Faculty and staff development receives high priority. Mini workshops during the school year, two and three day workshops during the summer, and a great deal of one-on-one attention are provided. Teachers also frequently participate in conferences and off campus workshops.

The Assistant Headmaster and the Director of Technology oversee staff development.  A schedule of staff development offerings and strategies is created for each school year and workshop attendance is recorded in a data base for SACS purposes.

Infrastructure

The Paideia campus consists of fourteen buildings on a sixteen acres. 1 G fiber connections to all buildings and 100/1000 MB network connections to desktops. All classrooms have at least one networked computer and over 90% of our classrooms have two to five computers. The majority of classrooms have ActiveBoards. The computer labs have extended hours from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. The entire campus is wireless with 802.11n. The phone system is VOIP.

The Server Room is a secure location with limited access located in the technology center.  The network administrator reviews each server’s status on a daily basis.  Routine maintenance is performed monthly and major upgrades are performed in the summer. 

The technology staff consists of four full time persons and one 60% time person. The technology area has been expanded to three classroom-size labs, a mini-lab, and one general-use lab plus offices with work space and a server room.

Budget

Funding for technology will need to continue to grow at the current levels to support these initiatives. As the use of technology and the number of machines increase, funding from the general school budget will be increased to ensure that we can replace computers on a four year rotation, cover the portion of the telecommunications and Internet cost not reimbursed by e-rate, fund the salaries of the technology staff, provide network upgrades, ensure continued staff development, and for software, maintenance, and supplies.

Additional Recommendations

• The school will continue to explore technological enhancements including remote access, podcasting and web based collaboration tools such as Google docs and spread sheets, wikis and blogs.
• Support and encouragement for the technology based writing program being implemented in the elementary and junior high will continue.
• The school will continue to explore ways technology can support alternative learning styles.
• The Internet and telecommunications can expand learning beyond the traditional classroom and can serve as an avenue for understanding and celebrating diversity.

Evaluation and Review

The technology review committee consist of the Director of Technology, the Network Administrator and the Assistant Headmaster.  The committee will continue to meet quarterly to evaluate goals, review results and to make mid-course corrections in response to new opportunities and developments as they arise.

In Conclusion

Technology is a powerful instructional medium and today's students must be educated to use these tools. At Paideia, students use technology to supplement instruction from teachers and to explore new areas of information. By encouraging independent use, we help develop the attitude that technology is a tool for learning available to all students and under their control. As students learn to use technology, they gain confidence in their ability to think and to learn, a primary goal of education.