Statement of Beliefs and Goals

After evaluating the technology plan, the technology planning team at Avoca School District #37 in Wilmette, Illinois, produced the following document:

"Avoca School District #37
Statement of Beliefs and Goals 1995-98

During the summer of 1995, a team of teachers representing a range of grade levels/subject areas reviewed Avoca's three-year technology integration plan (1992-1995) and the most recent needs assessment/program evaluation, developed goals for the next three years, and worked to develop an initial draft of a Scope & Sequence of technology-related skills for our students.

This document represents the results of the initial phase of an ongoing and ever evolving process at Avoca. It will take continued communication, individual initiatives, and cooperative efforts to allow our newly defined goals to be realized.

WE BELIEVE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES SHOULD MEET THESE CRITERIA:

• All students and staff will have equitable and regular access to technology tools.

• The use of technology will be visible, varied, and integrated throughout the curriculum.

• The use of technology will represent active and engaged learning, both individually and in collaboration with others.

• Students will use technology appropriately, and use will be age-appropriate.

• Staff and students will receive both technical and instructional support from a variety of resources.

GOALS FOR THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING AND LEARNING:

• Students at all grade levels will use technology as a tool for learning across the curriculum.

  Students will develop a growing knowledge base of technology 'tools' as they progress through grade levels. Tools with which students will develop proficiency are:

  • desktop publishing (writing, graphics, design and layout)
  • electronic research and reference materials (CD-ROM)
    • on-line resources for research, reference, and problem-solving
    • multi/integrated media
    • database, spreadsheet, graphing, and other information managing systems

  • Staff will achieve proficiency in the use of technology.

    Staff will develop a growing knowledge base of technology 'tools' for learning. Opportunities for staff to develop these proficiencies will be provided through:

    • professional development classes within and outside of the district
    • peer mentoring
    • support from qualified technology and learning resource staff
    • attendance at conferences and workshops
    • the ability to acquire and upgrade technology equipment and supplies

  • Avoca School District #37 will use technology to establish links among the school, the community, and the world.

    Avoca School District #37 will provide opportunities for the community to access technology tools and will connect Avoca students and staff with the wider Avoca and global communities. Among those linking opportunities will be:

    • technology classes for members of the Avoca community
    • global access for staff
    • opportunities for all Avoca classrooms to participate with others in a variety of collaborative ventures
    • appropriate global access for students"

The teachers also developed a Scope and Sequence of technology-related skills for students in grades K-8.