Technology+Needs+Assessment

**Technology Needs Assessment**
The current state of computer hardware and software, who uses what, and its perceived utility Currently we have 5 laptop cards, all installed with various versions of Microsoft Office suite, Kidspiration, Inspiration and other teaching tools. We have one fossil computer lab that is overheated, not updated and beginning to really show its age. We have SMARTBoards in all the intermediate grades and in the library and music room. We have 4 document cards equipped with projectors, laptops and doc cams, all of which are beginning to be used effectively for 2010. The laptops are way overused, they are beginning to stop working and there are beginning to be battles of how much they are used, people who are not following procedures etc. The teachers all have a classroom computer which are becoming slow and out of date. We now have wireless hubs so that everybody can reach anywhere in our building. We have online report cards, attendance, BOE reporting etc. which the staff is slowly and resistively becoming used to Desired computer hardware and software specifications (be sure to not only capture //what// but //why// as well) Kindergarten wants some SMART Boards! We are great collaborators and users of 2010 technology but our young learners are constantly overlooked We would like 4 laptops per classroom so that a group can use technology effective for every subject every day The temps would like document cameras as it is impossible to roll the cart out there How computer hardware and software can increase efficiencies, aid in student learning, etc. These wouldn’t increase student learning at all. Honestly the administrator is the driver of the instructional bus, and the more bells and whistles we have are not going to guarantee anything. If the teachers have a buy in, their professional development should begin to grow as we learn how to effectively and precisely integrate technology into the classrooms in 2010.

Any current issues that need to be addressed (e.g., freezing, sluggish performance, more training, software upgrades, etc.) This subject shall remain blank after all the venting I received! The laptops need more RAM so they can run more quickly. We need administrative rights to upgrade Microsoft so that it is consistent with all the computers in the school. The carts need to be effectively used and procedures need to be followed so they are shut down and not just closed, so they receive a full charge every night and even though the carts are partial they need to be all working to maintain as much working capabilities as possible.

The teacher trainings wasn’t mentioned by the staff but it’s a great point! Some teachers have volunteered to attend different trainings, they are beginning to take online classes to upgrade individual skills, SMART Board collaborators are beginning to pop up but in my opinion, this is about 4 years too slow L Training and/or help mechanisms Honestly our one IT guy is way overworked and under appreciated! There is so much to do maintaining hundreds of neglected laptops and a fossilized computer lab that nobody is happy with what they currently have. Also, the teachers don’t have administrative rights so those of that know how to install what we need etc. are not able to