Professional Development
General Technology

Activity Three
Planning Technology Adoption

  • Brief Description
  • Goals
  • Materials and Resources
  • Activity Description
  • Internet Resources

  • Brief Description

        Perhaps the first step in using technology in the classroom is beginning to think about how technology can be incorporated into the school. This includes building considerations, cabling, power, and getting a good deal on hardware and software. All of these topics can be organized under the general idea of technology planning. This activity introduces the concept of planning technology acquisition and implementation in schools, provides helpful suggestions for developing a technology adoption plan, organizing a technology committee, and finding additional resources on technology planning on the Internet.

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    Goals

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    Materials and Resources

        In developing our lessons and activities, we made some assumptions about the hardware and software that would be available in the classroom for teachers who visit the LETSNet Website. We assume that teachers using our Internet-based lessons or activities have a computer (PC or Macintosh) with the necessary hardware components (mouse, keyboard, and monitor) as well as software (operating system, TCP/IP software, networking or dial-up software, e-mail and a World Wide Web client program, preferably Netscape, but perhaps Mosaic or Lynx). In the section below, we specify any "special" hardware or software requirements for a lesson or activity (in addition to those described above) and the level of Internet access required to do the activity.

    1. Special hardware requirements: none.
    2. Special software requirements: none.
    3. Internet access: Medium-speed (28,800 BPS via phone) or High-speed (greater than 1 MBPS via network).
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    Activity Description

        Bringing technology into the classroom is not an easy thing to do. Before technology can be effectively used in the classroom, necessary hardware, software, and other resources must be put into place. In some cases, the school itself must be modified so that computers and related hardware can be used, for instance, cables and phone lines must be installed. The process of planning for the adoption of technology has been studied and documented in detail by teachers, schools, and other organizations. You can avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes by learning from other people's experiences.

        As more and more K-12 schools move to integrate the Internet into their curricula, there is a need for planning tools and advice on how to acquire the hardware and software, and learn how to use them. Along these lines, there are a variety of good technology planning resources on the Internet (see Internet Resources below).

        A school or district technology plan need not be long. The key is to make the plan work for you and others in your school or district. The following are general suggestions for ways to get started planning technology adoption:

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    Internet Resources

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