Governments and other organizations that design, implement, or manage in-service teacher professional development (TPD) programs navigate many choices and challenges to build monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems that suit their program objectives and constraints. The primary objective of a TPD M&E system is to help guide the program…

In this article, Summer Creek High School (Harris County, Texas) librarian, Louise Lankau shares a formula for successfully integrating technology via the school library and reaching every department and teacher in a school of 2,500 students and 170 teachers. The challenge is that the teaching staff at Summer Creek increases each year to…

How can a school best use technology for teaching and learning? This inspiring book profiles eight visionary schools that are achievers in how they approach technology. In this companion to "Leading 21st Century Schools," Lynne Schrum and Barbara Levin offer insights direct from principals, teachers, superintendents, and others involved in…

The purpose of this manual is to assist school leaders in beginning or developing the use of educational technology within their school or district. The manual covers topics: 1) advantages of educational technology; 2) types of technology used for learning and teaching; 3) how to make good decisions about the use of technology in schools; 4) the…

Many educators agree that we already know how to foster student success, so what is keeping common sense from becoming common practice? The author provides step-by-step guidance for overcoming the barriers to adopting the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and achieving equity and excellence for all students. As an experienced teacher and…

Offers advice on planning a reliable and cost-effective school telecommunications system, including issues such as the layered nature of many schools' systems, and the move from centralized to distributed networks. (EV)

Discusses how schools can effectively plan ahead for the rapid advancement of technology through use of wireless technology. Describes its flexibility and savings, and planning and design issues. (EV)

Shares experiences and lessons learned by chief information officers of large universities about enterprise resource planning (ERP). Specifically, provides a framework for approaching an ERP that could save universities millions of dollars. (EV)

The "Local Technology Plan Guidelines" serve as the basis for the Department's annual technology data collection. This report takes a look at the data submitted by 344 school districts, examining the progress Massachusetts school districts are making in meeting the recommended guidelines. In doing so, it will gauge the degree to which…

The Fountain Central High School's planning and development process for a five-year technology plan is outlined as a guide for other schools to consult in the development of their own technology plan. Following a checklist of criteria used by the Indiana Department of Education for reviewing technology plans, the four main sections are: (1)…

Discusses strategic and tactical planning with regard to implementing technologies in libraries. Strategic planning involves setting parameters for decision making, while tactical planning entails devising ways of dealing with problems created by the new technology. The benefits and dilemmas of both types of planning are covered. Contains 19…

This document provides a guide for writing a library technology plan. Three elements to consider are summarized: vision, mission, goals and objectives; establishing a committee; and services drive technology acquisition. Required components of an approved technology plan are listed, and a technology plan outline is presented that describes the…

Asserting that an effective information technology (IT) planning process helps leaders determine appropriate roles for IT in learning, teaching, research, outreach, and management and predict how these might change over time, this article offers suggestions for such planning. Examples are: (1) set a general direction and broad objectives; and (2)…

Introduces some basic concepts related to the transmission of data from a computer to its peripherals to help distance educators make decisions regarding computer equipment purchases for their institutions. The following data transmission concepts are described: cables, serial and parallel, synchronous and asynchronous, bandwidth, and analog and…

Although Montana has not required school districts to write technology plans, districts need such plans to apply for technology grants and the E-rate discount on Internet service. This document was created to help Montana's primarily small school districts meet new demands related to technology and understand the role that technology can play in…