OVERVIEW
The computer is the tool of the age, and with it comes a wide range of demands on, as
well as opportunities for, today's students. To meet these demands and enjoy these
opportunities, the students at Van Nuys Middle School must develop Technology
Literacy so they can access the power of this versatile tool. Moreover, in order for
teachers to remain effective in their profession, they, too, would gain much by learning
and implementing ways to incorporate the use of this technology in the classroom.
Teachers will be increasingly successful in educating students when they:
- Utilize computer technology to increase student involvement in the learning
process.
- Use technology to enhance lessons in order to motivate student learning and
make content more accessible to a variety of learning types. Such
enhancement would include, for example, the use of pictures, sound, videos
and interactive computer applications.
- Incorporate a variety of pedagogical techniques to instruct students in a
broadening context of content and skills necessary for academic and
professional success in the present age. Computer technology provides a
valuable tool to assist teachers in accessing and implementing a variety of
effective instructional techniques and strategies.
The teaching and administrative staff at Van Nuys Middle School is dedicated to
providing an education that students' futures and hopes are rooted in-one of
interactivity, critical thinking, information and computer technology.
IMPLEMENTATION
In order to facilitate a broad use of technology in instruction and assessment at Van Nuys
Middle School, all classrooms must have computers and internet access for teachers and
students. The school's computers, network systems, and technical personnel must be
directed at facilitating and improving instruction, assessment, communication and record
keeping.
The Van Nuys Middle School TUP is in accord with and seeks to promote Technology
Proficiency for California Teachers, the document produced by the California
Technology Assistance Project (CTAP). The plan also seeks to promote student
preparation for the LAUSD Computer Literacy Criteria Checklist.
GOALS
The initial technology goals for Van Nuys Middle School are as follows:
- A Technology (Equipment) Committee will operate as a subcommittee of the Shared Decision Making Council and will meet on a regular basis to arrive at recommendations regarding the progress and implementation of this Technology Use Plan.
- The school will provide multiple Professional Development opportunities in the
area of technology to support teachers in acquiring the skills outlined in
Technology Proficiency for California Teachers.
- The school will procure and deploy the equipment and software necessary to
provide school wide access to state of the art education technology for teachers
and students.
- The school will provide instruction and supervision of students in their use of the
computer--including the internet and a variety of computer applications software in research, projects and presentations.
- The school will establish a school wide Local Area Network (LAN) that will
include a web-based home page, links to important sites, a site map that will
include links to teacher/team pages, and file storage and management for every
student in the school.
- The school will continue to increase the viability of the computer as an
instructional and communication tool by providing financial and personnel
support, keeping informed of effective uses of instructional technology, and
encouraging its use.
The TUP will be evaluated by the Technology Committee, with the consideration of
school wide input, at the conclusion of the 2003-2004 school year, and annually
thereafter. Any necessary revisions will be made at the conclusion of the evaluation.
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