Developing a Supportive Infrastructure

As of September 30, 2005, the North Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium is no longer in operation.

Developing a Supportive Infrastructure

The infrastructure consists of two parts: human resources--which deals with professional learning and support--and technology--which deals with hardware, software, and facilities. With technological change occurring at a rapid pace, purchasers of new technology sometimes feel hard pressed to keep up (Fine, 1991). School districts, due to limited budgets and technical expertise, have a difficult time choosing and buying technology. Often they lack adequate information about the newest technologies and how to use them; or they do not take into account the level of training and staff development needed to use the technology. The key to technology planning is to make informed decisions. Without good information about the nuts and bolts of technology (i.e., the hardware and software) planners are at a disadvantage. The best way to overcome this problem is to take a broad view of technology and educate planners and staff about current and emerging technologies and their benefits and then realize that implementing technology is not a one-time thing but an ongoing and continuous process that requires a supportive infrastructure that is flexible enough to deal with the rapid pace of technological change. The following questions should be addressed when planning for a supportive infrastructure:

Professional Development, Training, Technical Support

How will you find out what skills your staff and students currently have and what skills they will need to fulfill your plan's objectives?
How will you design and implement a professional development and training strategy that meets the needs of your staff?
How will you use technology to provide professional development, training, and ongoing technical support, and to support teachers as they integrate technology into the curriculum?
Who will be responsible for ensuring and coordinating professional development?
Who will be responsible for providing technical assistance and support?
How will you build technical support capacity within your staff so that equipment will be maintained and kept reliable?
What are your contingencies for providing just-in-time services when the technology breaks down?

Networking, Hardware, Software, Facilities

What level of networking will be required to support your vision of learning?
What hardware specifications are needed to support your vision of learning?
How will you deal with obsolescence, maintenance, and amortization?
How will you make use of existing technology?
What software is required to support your vision of learning?
How will software be reviewed and purchased?
What building facilities exist or are needed, and what modifications must be made to support your vision of learning?
How will you implement, maintain, and sustain the equipment, software, and the network for extended periods, and who will be responsible?

Contents | Understanding the Context of Your Technology Plan