As of September 30, 2005, the North Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium is no longer in operation.
NCRTEC  Professional Development Planning and Evaluation Teaching and Learning

Conclusions

It is apparent that participation in a systematic planning process can help school districts, schools, and educational organizations capitalize on the opportunities available through the use of technology. Systematic planning--whether simple or complex--can help maximize the investment of resources in technology.

Administrative involvement and leadership are crucial to the technology planning and implementation process. If organizational leaders do not understand and support the technology plan, it will be difficult to implement and can be either intentionally or inadvertently sabotaged.

Many people perceive that without a technology champion or advocate who will take responsibility for promoting the planning process and implementing the plan, there will be no major push to make technology an integrated part of the organization. If the plan relies on only one person, however, it will almost certainly be unsuccessful. Implementation is best when tasks and duties are shared and delegated, and when individuals across the organization buy into the use of technology and the planning process.

Effective implementation of technology requires a change in culture--one that encourages people to think differently about the teaching and learning processes and the possibilities for technology use. Training and positive role modeling are important for helping to facilitate the change in attitudes and culture. Also, attention to internal and external marketing (garnering support) can help to change attitudes and build enthusiasm and participation. This kind of marketing should be based upon showing how technology will enhance the organization's purpose and goals and solve organizational and educational problems.

Flexibility is also a key ingredient of the technology planning process. Planners should set priorities, follow a timeline, and continue to evaluate progress. Yet, day-to-day demands will intervene, priorities will change, and resource availability is likely to be inconsistent. It is therefore important to be flexible, to expect the unexpected, and yet to remain committed to pushing forward the technology planning and implementation process.

Finally, while financial resources are likely to be scarce, the plan should not be budget driven. Rather, the learning vision and organizational, technological ,and educational objectives should drive the plan. Budgeting activities should complement and follow the planning process. They are more likely to be successful when an organization knows clearly where it is headed in terms of technology use and has a written plan outlining that use. The familiar maxim holds true for technology planning: "If you don't know where you're going, you're likely to end up somewhere else" and conversely: "If you know where you're going, you're likely to get there much more quickly."

Contents | Appendix A: References and Materials


 

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