Technology Plan

July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2012

Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District

School Code # 27000

Bruce Mayle, Superintendent

202 Elm Street

P.O. Box 218

Bergland, MI  49910

Phone:   (906) 575-3438  (906) 575-3438

Fax:  (906) 575-3373

URL:  http://www.goisd.org

Contact Person:

Joy M. Maki

Staff Development Coordinator

Telephone:   (906) 575-3438  (906) 575-3438   ext. 18

E-mail:  jmaki@goisd.org

Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District Mission Statement

The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District is committed to making an impact on the future by advancing teaching and learning through innovative leadership, quality service, and effective programs in partnership with local school districts, area wide consortia, and the community.

District Profile

The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District is located in the most western corner of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD was formed by the consolidation of two single county ISD’s in 1965, and is one of 57 ISD’s in the State of Michigan.

Our student population for the 2009-2010 school year is approximately 2,729 students for the two county areas.  Included in this figure are 77 students enrolled in two non-public school.

The population of the area has dramatically declined over the past 10 years.  In an attempt to attract business and industry Governor Engler declared a Renaissance Zone in the two county areas.  With the massive decline in employment opportunities the upper and middle class populations have greatly been reduced.  This has caused a severe decline in student enrollment within each of the local school districts.

Local School Districts served by the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD:

Bessemer Area Schools                                   301 E. Sellar Street     Bessemer, MI 49911

Ewen-Trout Creek Consolidated Schools      144 Airport Road        Ewen, MI  49925

Ironwood Area Schools                                  650 E. Ayer Street      Ironwood, MI  49938

Ontonagon Area School District                    301 Greenland Road   Ontonagon, MI  49953

Wakefield-Marenisco School District             715 Putnam                 Wakefield, MI  49968

Watersmeet Township School District           N4720 HWY 45         Watersmeet, MI  49969

All Saints Catholic Academy  School                        106 S. Marquette        Ironwood, MI  49938

Bluffview Christian School                            507 Cinnabar St.         Bessemer, MI  49911

Local School District Size, by number of teachers and number of students:

Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District – Technology Team Members

Bruce F. Mayle, ISD Superintendent                                    

Shawn Kolbus, Career and Technical Coordinator

Marjorie Leaf, Special Education Director                

Joy Maki, Staff Development Coordinator

Deborah Zelinski, Special Education Supervisor

Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School Board Members

Process for selection of technology committee members:  Each of the above individuals are contacted by a member of the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD Technology Committee to serve on this committee.  Experience with technology and implementation of technology into the curriculum are factors considered for membership.

The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD sends representation and encourages all local districts to attend area wide meetings of technology committee members, which are held monthly during the school year.

The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD Technology Committee presents their Technology Plan to the Board for approval in April of every year.  The plan is then ready for submission to the Michigan Department of Education.

Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District Technology Vision Statement

The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD is committed to training teachers and students to use technology to improve communication, enhance thinking skills, make instruction more efficient and effective, and develop life skills critical to success.  Technology offers students an avenue to succeed as citizens in a global society in which knowledge is growing at an incredible rate.  The teachers and students within the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will be provided with the latest technology tools and training so they can function in society and be competitive in the global market.

Each of our school district School Improvement Plans clearly describe their needs as:

1. Technology integration into the four core areas of language arts, social studies, math and

science.

2. Bringing real world applications from the World Wide Web into the teaching and learning processes.
3. Preparing students for specific technology skills to compete in the state wide/global employment market and /or post secondary education.
4. Provide all students’ access to technology delivered learning opportunities.

The curriculum and assessment process drive the School Improvement Plan which drives the Technology Plan, which are linked to the Michigan Curriculum Frameworks, the Michigan State Technology Plan and the Michigan Technology Standards & Expectations. 

Technology Plan Goals

Goal#1:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD teachers and students will be provided with a range of experiences designed to develop the technological skills necessary to function responsibly in life situations marked by rapid technological change.

Goal #2:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD teachers, administrators, and staff will participate in professional development as necessary to make them proficient technical users of the district-wide network, its resources (such as e-mail and online information collections), and other technology devices and resources.

Goal #3:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will continue to provide and support the technical needs of the ISD through SupportNet with REMC1.

Goal #4:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will provide leadership, collaboration opportunities, direction and guidance in the areas of technology planning to the local school districts.

Goal #5:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will actively pursue funding for technology.

How Acquired Technologies Integrate into the Curriculum, Sustain Professional Development and Provide Ongoing Technical Support

A.  Curriculum Integration – Section 4  Goals and strategies, aligned with challenging State standards, for using telecommunications and technology to improve teaching and learning.

Curriculum Integration is the use of technology by students and teachers to enhance teaching and learning and to support existing curricular goals and objectives.  Curriculum Integration is more specific to the classroom setting however, the success of integration depends largely on the support provided by the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD.  The Michigan Department of Education Technology Content Standards and Expectations are used as the framework of our technology plan.

Our philosophy of technology integration is that technology is a tool to be used seamlessly and appropriately by our staff to function more efficiently and to promote student achievement.  Providing hardware, software, and connectivity is only one step toward creating a technology rich environment where learners successfully apply knowledge, tools, and skills to solve problems and enhance their capabilities.  The next step is curriculum integration.

Goal #1: The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD teachers and students will be provided with a range of experiences designed to develop the technological skills necessary to function responsibly in real life situations marked by rapid technological change. 

            Objective #1:  Teachers and students will use telecommunications and technology to improve teaching and learning using strategies aligned with State standards across the curriculum.  Technology integration into the curricula is supported throughout the year.  (September – June)

            Strategy #1:  Teachers and students will use tutorial technologies, which support the transmission of knowledge from the source to the teacher and student.

            Strategy #2:  Teachers and students will use application technologies which will include but are not limited to word processing, spreadsheet programs, databases, and other data collection/manipulation/analysis programs.

            Strategy #3:  Teachers and students will use technology to engage with a subject and derive meaning from that engagement through exploratory uses of technology.

            Strategy #4:  Teachers and students will use various means of telecommunications to support teaching and learning.  Telecommunications can enable the teaching of certain content and fulfillment of learning goals that would otherwise be more difficult if not impossible to deliver.  Example:  E-mail student to student, student to teacher, or student to professional, teleconferencing, collaborative online projects and research, World Wide Web searching and student research, student publishing on the World Wide Web.

            Each of our local education agencies has purchased video conferencing equipment.  Schools are currently connecting classroom to classroom and are beginning to explore the possibilities of using videoconferencing programs and field trips that are already established for their use outside of their local district.  Classrooms are moving beyond the walls of their building, their town, their state and country.  There are no limits to the possibilities.

            Strategy #5:  Teachers will be trained by the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD staff on how to integrate the use of technological tools into their curriculum.  Example:  Teachers receive training on how to use an interactive SmartBoard with computer and data projector.  Teachers will capture the attention of their students by engaging them by using technology.

            Strategy #6:  Teachers will meet following the release of MEAP scores with staff from the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD to disaggregate test scores and adjusting curriculum and instruction to ensure that the standards of the Michigan Curriculum Frameworks are being met. The Data 4 Student Success online tool will be used to review MEAP and MME test results.

            Strategy #7:  Teachers and students will be encouraged and provided with the opportunity to enroll in online classes.  Example:  Michigan Virtual University, E-learning Solutions, Traverse Bay Area ISD, Northern Michigan University and Gogebic Community College.

            Strategy #8:  Teachers will continue to receive training from the ISD staff on how to integrate applications of technology in teaching strategies and lessons which will provide students with learning experiences they otherwise would not experience.  Example:  Video conferencing with another school in another country, using a SmartBoard (an interactive white board) and LCD data projector to take the class on a virtual field trip to an otherwise impossible journey.

            Strategy #9:  Teachers will evaluate students’ achievement of the essential knowledge and skills students need to be successful in a technology literate world.  This will be done in the form of teacher observations, student portfolios, formal assessments and completion of technology literacy classes where appropriate.

            Strategy #10:  Local Education Association Counselors will continue to use online electronic Educational Development Plans (EDP’S), which was purchased through the Career and Technological Education Department at the ISD.

All of these things open the doors for efficient, effective teaching and learning.  Technology can level the playing field and enable students to participate, sometimes in situations where they would be left out without the provided equipment.  Technology provides teachers with strategies to meet the needs of all learners in addition to helping them be more efficient with the work they do.  Technology takes learning to a higher standard, because it gives us access to a world of resources at our fingertips. 

B.  Student Achievement – Section 5  Strategies that are based on research and that integrate technology into curricula and instruction for purposes of improving student academic achievement and a timeline for this integration.

Using data to improve instruction has been a priority and a driving force behind the ongoing process of curriculum alignment for the school districts within the Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties.  Using the Michigan Curriculum Framework and MI-CLIMB to develop measurable objectives for each content area has long been our focus.  The curriculum alignment has continued with the publication of the Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs). 

Data 4 Student Success (Data 4SS) is available for all of the local school districts to use when disaggregating their MEAP and MME data.  Training on how to use the Data 4 SS software is made available through the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District.

MLPP (Michigan Literacy Progress Profile) and ERE (Early Reading Empowerment), Road to the Code, and Barton Reading and Spelling are some of the programs being implemented in the local districts which provide the necessary data to inform instruction at the individual student and individual benchmark level.

In the area of technology curriculum specifically, the local school districts have adopted the Michigan Educational Technology Standards (METS) and have agreed to work together with the GOISD to create or adopt an 8^th grade Technology Literacy Assessment.

When integrating hardware into the curriculum, equipment such as document cameras and LCD projectors enable immediate feedback and clearer instruction.  When used as a medium for presentations (PowerPoint), technology enhances instruction.  The integration of content from United Streaming enables video enhancements when teaching specific content.

Timeline:

Technology professional development is offered to local school districts on a need basis, in addition to trainings that are offered at the GOISD during district-wide in-service days. Saturday professional development offerings and the Teacher’s Summer Academy held in June have been optional opportunities for educators to receive additional training.  Trainings are offered on a number of topics related to technology use in the classroom or use of technology to assist teachers in their delivery of instruction.

See the Monitoring and Evaluation section of this plan for more on the evaluation of the individual teacher and technology integration.

C.  Technology Delivery – Section 6  Strategies for delivery of specialized or rigorous courses and curricula through the use of technology, including distance learning technologies.

Distance learning opportunities are available for the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District and each of the local school districts.  Students are able to participate in virtual field trips and teachers/staff are able to participate in virtual trainings.  In addition, course work is offered over the distance learning system and the sharing of programs/courses amongst districts is encouraged.

The Internet provides teachers with many options when looking for learning tools and applications for technology.  The Internet allows students to visit the world.  There are many educational sites with more becoming available all the time where students can learn from. 

REMC1, (Regional Educational Media Center #1), is our lifeline to the Internet.  Their vision of technology and its use in the schools with both teachers and students is applauded.  They are leaders when it comes to assisting the GOISD and each of the local districts with the newest technology, technology related questions, software, trainings, and support.  They are a great resource for programs such as Moodle, TeACH, United Streaming, iSafe, webinars, and online tutorials for applications to name a few.

We can only envision that distance learning opportunities will continue to expand in the years to come.

D.  Parental Communications & Community Relations  -  Section 7  Strategies to promote parental involvement and to increase communication with parents, including a description of how parents will be informed of the technology to be used with students.

The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District makes available to its Board and communities their School Improvement and Technology Plans.  (September or upon request)

The School Improvement and Technology Plans are available on line at www.goisd.org under the General Education link.

           Strategy #1:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District encourages local school districts to use the computer to keep grades and compile report cards.  This is an efficient way to keep parents informed which leads to a greater involvement in their children’s education.  We encourage teachers e-mailing parents to communicate when busy work schedules make it difficult to meet face to face.

            Strategy #2:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District assists in coordinating parent nights at the local school districts for Family Math and Family Science nights.

            Strategy #3:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District promotes parental involvement through communications with the teaching and administrative staff of the local education association members.  Various means are used to promote parental involvement such as online resources posted on the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District website, distribution of information at district wide in-services, and local district staff development opportunities.

            Strategy #4:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District School Board Members, parents of students within Gogebic and Ontonagon County and interested community members are encouraged to be involved with the planning, implementation and ongoing assessment of the technology plan.

E.  Collaboration  -  Section 8  Strategies for developing the program, where applicable, with adult literacy providers.

Community Engagement and Collaboration is necessary to provide maximum use of technologies.  We are fortunate to have the Gogebic Community College as a partner in our community.  Their facility is made available for public use.  Classes are offered via distance learning, videoconferencing which is open to the community.

The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD and the Gogebic Community College are a part of the same fiber network.

The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD provides the technological link between MICTA and the fiber in order that broadcasts can be brought over the system to each local school district.  For example:  Professional development opportunities have been provided for lawyers and doctors.

The Economic Development Authority and the Upper Great Lakes Educational Technologies Incorporated members are working together on a community technology plan.  It is important for our city planners to be involved in the planning stages for the need of fiber and telecommunication, which will eventually benefit their business.

The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD Board of Education members meet monthly, which allows for planning, collaboration and communication of addressing needs and concerns.

The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD administration meets monthly with the local school district superintendents which again allows for planning, collaboration and communication of specific needs or concerns related to technology.

The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD administration supports efforts made by the local school districts to bring parents into partnership with the schools by explaining programmatic goals and to draw on parental resources.

Adults in the community have the opportunity to use the distance learning fiber.  Local schools, Adult Education Programs, Northern Michigan University, Gogebic Community College, Michigan State University Extension, Gogebic Community Schools and Even Start have the capabilities to offer programs to the community.

Goal #3:  Community Engagement.  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD’s ongoing technology planning process will provide opportunities for teachers, students, administrators, and community members to use technology resources at school and in other locations throughout the community. 

            Strategy #1:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will provide access to equipment for community members to participate in online courses.  (September – June as needed)

            Strategy #2:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will continue with the Career and Technical A+ Certification Program.  The Gogebic Community College has agreed to an articulation agreement with students completing the course.  (September – June as needed)

            Strategy #3:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD continues to promote good relations with the communities they serve by allowing various organizations to use the facility for meetings and trainings.  For example:  Ontonagon EDC (Educational Development Commission, Upper Peninsula Trappers Association, Human Services Coordinating Board hold bi-monthly meetings at the ISD facility and trainings for local School Board Associations.

II.  PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

F.  Professional Development – Section 9  Strategies for providing ongoing, sustained professional development for teachers, principals, administrators, and school library media personnel to ensure that staff now how to use the new technologies to improve education or library services.

Professional development sessions are changing the focus from technology training to curriculum and technology integration.  There is still a need to train teachers and administrators on the use of technology; however the focus for the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD is changing.

Technology such as the Internet and productivity applications are becoming so prevalent in both schools and community that students are leading teachers to implement technology in processes and procedures of learning.  As a result more students and teachers are using World Wide Web resources, word processing, and electronic presentations.  When a student suggests that technology might be used as a tool for collecting, analyzing, or reporting some information, that student is demonstrating a keen understanding of the value of technology.  Not all students have access outside of school to technology and in many cases come from economically and educationally disadvantaged families.  Therefore, teachers must lead the way.  Improving the skills of teachers in order to provide these opportunities for students becomes our biggest challenge.

Both the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD and REMC #1 staff coordinate professional development opportunities for area educators.  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD School Improvement Team meets early in the spring of the year to discuss and plan the coming year activities.  On going disaggregation of test scores keep staff focused on those areas of the curriculum that need to be addressed.  Evaluations form previous professional development activities are very influential in the planning process.  The District Wide In-service evaluations are reviewed in order to plan future in-services.  The Teacher’s Summer Academy evaluations are reviewed which help to plan the following year Summer Academy sessions.  The Teacher Technology Initiative Survey provides important planning data.  The School Improvement Team discusses professional development activities pertaining to the use of Title II, Part D and other professional development funds.

Professional development is tailor made to meet the needs of individual school districts.  Often the staff at the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD is called upon to provide training or in-service time to a local district.  Computer training has also been provided to Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD staff and special education staff.  Training is well under way for the staff at the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD with the electronic kept data through SRSD and SDS.

Goal #2:  Professional Development.  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD teachers, administrators, principals and library media personnel will participate in professional development as necessary to make them proficient technical users of the district-wide network, its resources (such as e-mail and online information collections), and other technology devices and resources.

            Objective #1:  Strategies for providing ongoing, sustained professional development for teachers, principals, administrators and school library media personnel to ensure that staff know how to use the new technologies to improve education or library services.  (September – June as appropriate)

            Strategy #1:  Professional development opportunities will be scheduled on the use of various technologies (hardware and software, distance learning via video conferencing, online classes, voice, video and data information, etc.) and will be offered to teachers, administrators and staff through the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD Staff Development Coordinator, outside consultants/presenters, teacher and students, and REMC staff.  The annual Summer Academy and technology and learning conferences will continue to be a viable option to training staff.

            Strategy #2:  Attendance at professional development opportunities statewide and regionally will be encouraged by the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD.  Information will be disseminated to each local education association.

            Strategy #3: During the scheduled two District-Wide In-services, whenever appropriate and possible, professional development will be arranged with a technology connection.

            Objective #2:  Teachers and administrators will be provided with best practice strategies for achieving technology enhanced teaching and learning for classroom management. (September – June)

Strategy #1:  Workshops are the commonly used vehicle for delivery of professional

development.  We tend to build our workshops upon each other, and have follow-up activities.  We involve problem solving and collaborative activities. We refrain from the one-shot “everyone come today and learn all about it” kind of session.  The content of the workshop must be something worth implementing immediately in your classroom.

Strategy #2:  Hand-on Labs.  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD conducts technology training

in a laboratory setting where all participants have access to a computer.  Training is offered in short sessions spread over a period of time.  This gives participants an opportunity to practice between sessions and explore what they have learned.

Strategy #3:  Mentoring is another model for professional development the Gogebic

Ontonagon ISD advocates.  The idea being that effective professional development is personal, available when you need it and offered by peers.

            Objective #3:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD recognizes informal professional development as a means of teachers and administrators receiving meaningful experiences from colleagues.  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD is supportive of peer coaching and self-study opportunities.  (September – June)

            Strategy #1:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD recognizes the added value when teachers and administrators use chat rooms and bulletin board discussions to collaborate with colleagues.  Teachers and administrators are encouraged to use electronic communication with colleagues.

            Strategy #2:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD conducts surveys and evaluations of professional development offered for the purpose of receiving feedback from teachers and administrators.  The feedback received is used to improve the professional development experience offered.

2009 - 2010 Timeline for Implementation of Professional Development:

2010 - 2011 Timeline for Implementation of Professional Development:

2011 - 2012 Timeline for Implementation of Professional Development:

G.  Supporting Resources – Section 10  Strategies and supporting resources such as services, software, other electronically-delivered learning materials, and print resources that will be acquired to ensure successful and effective uses of technology.   

            Objective #1:  Supporting resources will ensure successful and effective uses of technology.  (September – June)

            Strategy #1:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will keep their School Improvement Plan and Technology Plan up to date in addition to overseeing that each local education association has their plans up to date.

            Strategy #2:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will continue to support the lending library of  REMC #1.

            Strategy #3:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will continue to support the www.goisd.org

web page with links to each of the local education associations.

            Strategy #4:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will continue to support learning and operational goals through support for initiation, implementation and the institutionalization phases of effective staff development programs.

            Strategy #5:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will make reference to and use the state and national technology standards addressing technology competencies for teachers and administrators, including but not limited to NETS, ISTE, METS.

Technology Resources:  Continual update of technology resources. 

• Technology resources and materials are reviewed annually for currency and for their value in providing professional development to teachers.  Those resources or materials that no longer support the goals of the ISD’s professional development are withdrawn.
• Equipment receives regular inspection and routine maintenance on an annual basis.  Our district is small enough where we are able to work with our technical personnel to remedy break down of computers rapidly.
• There is in place a security system to safeguard the ISD’s information technology resources.
• The business office keeps an up-to-date inventory of its information technology resources.

- The inventory includes software, hardware, printed information and resource materials.

- All materials and equipment are classified, cataloged and processed at the time of purchase.

- All materials and equipment are marked and documented.

• The roles and responsibilities for the management and coordination of the use of the technology resources throughout the ISD are clearly defined.
• The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District insurance policy provides adequate coverage for materials and liability.

Technical Support is available to the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD and our local school districts through SupportNet at REMC #1.  Distance learning coordination, networking, computer repair, maintenance of the network and equipment and technology planning are included in the assistance provided.  In addition, Merit and MICTA provide provide technical training for this region.

REMC #1 has made an effort to train the technicians from a teacher’s perspective on how to integrate technology into the curriculum.  It is important that the technicians see the teachers’ perspective in order to better serve them.

            Strategy #1:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will maintain the distance learning equipment to accommodate video conferencing.  (September – June as needed)

            Strategy #2:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will secure revenue sources that will allow future upgrades, maintenance and expansion of technology.  (September – June as needed)

            Strategy #3:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will continue to update their web site in order to have current and valid information available to the community, teachers, students and staff.  (September – June as needed)

            Strategy #4:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will provide the physical network to deliver voice, audio and video data to the local districts.  (September – June as needed)

Technical Staff:  Currently the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District has one part time computer technician on staff. 

Computers/telephones etc. that are in need of maintenance and/or repair are serviced by our technicians, in addition, to existing maintenance contracts with various providers. 

Professional development is available and technicians are encouraged and financially supported to attend conferences and workshops.

Goal #5:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will provide leadership, collaboration opportunities, direction and guidance in the areas of technology planning to the local school districts.

            Strategy #1:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD provides staff to meet and work with local school district School Improvement Teams and Technology Planning Teams to create consistency between planning groups.  The emphasis is to share the vision of where we are going as a group in addition to being mindful of the needs of each local school district.  (September – June as needed)

            Strategy #2:   The Gogebic Ontonagon ISD provides staff to work with local school districts on meeting the Michigan Educational Technology Standards by grade cluster through working with Technology Teams and Technology Coordinators. 

Goal #6:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will implement operations for administrative computing.

            Strategy #1:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will preview and evaluate software options for use in administrative computing.  (September – June as needed)

            Strategy #2:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will purchase hardware/software to support special education, transportation, inventory, food service, family access, etc.  (September – June as needed)

            Strategy #3:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will support and maintain administrative computing – Microsoft Office, MDE/MEIS/SRSD/CEPI/REP.  (September – June as needed)

            Strategy #4:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD will provide on its web page a calendar of events and timelines with due dates of various reports and obligations.

Goal #7:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District will actively pursue funding for technology.

            Strategy #1:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District will maintain the technology maintenance fund.  (September – June)

            Strategy #2:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District will free up the Technology Coordinator to write grants.  (September – June as needed.)

            Strategy #3:  The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District will apply for Universal Service Funds (E-Rate) discount for Internet connectivity and telecommunications service provider (Internet and telephone).  (September – June as needed)

Supporting Resources

Supporting resources for staff, administrators and teachers are made available in various ways.  These steps will be taken to ensure all teachers have increased access to technology and in turn the students which they teach will have increased access to technology.

• Acceptable Use Policies are in place.
• Many manuals for curriculum development and technology integration are provided by the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District.
• REMC #1 has available to its membership a video lending library, and manuals in addition to all of the technical support they provide us with.
• REMC #1 provides the server necessary to house the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD web site and all eight of our local school district web sites.
• Michigan Department of Education web site and related links are publicized and included on the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD web page.
• Specific supporting resources used via the web include:
  • MTIP, Michigan Teacher Network, Michigan Curriculum Framework Standards, in addition to use of the MI CLiMB CD, MDE ITAC (Instructional Technology Across the Curriculum), National Educational Technology Standards for Students and Teachers, National Staff Development Council, NCREL Professional Development, ISTE

• Software purchases are most commonly done at the school building level through the REMC purchasing service.  ISD personnel will provide training whenever appropriate.
• REMC #1 provides the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD and its constituents with online subscription service.
• The Western Upper Peninsula Mathematics, Science and Environmental Education Center provides for teachers and administrators, manuals, books, kits and web sites.
• Teachers are encouraged to share lessons, resources and educational web sites via the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD web site and through their local school district web site.
• In order that the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD complies with providing the Michigan Department of Education the mandated SRSD student data information, the ISD and the local school districts submit data electronically.
• Additional supporting resources are available through Access Michigan with Info Track and Michigan Electronic Library.

III.  Infrastructure, Hardware, Technical Support and Software

In order to improve the education of students and teachers, administrators and staff, a plan must be in place that will consider the need for telecommunication services, hardware, software and other services that will determine interoperability among the components of technologies to be acquired.

H.  Infrastructure Needs/Technical Specification, and Design – Section 11  Strategies to identify the need for telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services to improve education or library services, and strategies to determine interoperability among the components of the technologies to be acquired.

Description of Current Status of Technologies

The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District considers the infrastructure carefully during the technology planning stage.  Relentless technological change is a basic fact of school technology planning.  Strategic planning is done to build capacity for the continued evolution of technology through innovative design based on flexibility, diversity and expansion.  Evaluation, replacement and upgrading of existing technology are needed.  District technology includes: infrastructure, hardware, software, distance learning, multimedia, telephone, video, etc.

General information about the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District local area network:

• High Speed data and communication exchange for administration and instruction – Fiber Network, ATM into building with ATM box inside, 10BaseT/100BaseT,   5 switches
• Internet2 Access
• Access to the Internet/World Wide Web (Fiber connection)
• Electronic delivery of video, CD ROM, and software resources
• Video over IP. (Internet Protocol) Video conferencing is used for meetings and staff development.  We currently have 3 video conferencing units (PolyCom cameras and televisions) on mobile carts.

Description of Technologies to be Acquired

The acquisition of equipment and other technological resources is based upon our district’s vision for technology and school improvement.  The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District considers the following information when planning for learning and technology (this includes grant applications and USF applications):

• The computer equipment currently available or budgeted for purchase for the current, next, or other future academic years;
• All computers have sufficient power and sophistication to support needs of staff;
• The computer software necessary to communicate with other computers over an internal network currently budgeted for purchase for the current, next, or future academic years;
• The experience of and training received by the relevant staff in the sue of the equipment to be connected to the telecommunications network and training programs for which funds are committed for the current, next, or future academic years;
• Existing or budgeted maintenance contracts to maintain computers;
• The conference rooms foster a safe environment;
• The ISD’s facility is easily accessible to persons with disabilities;
• The facility, being the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District, provides a  haven which is:
  • Adequate with number of electrical outlets
  • Surge protection and grounding
  • Lighting protection
  • Back-up systems
  • Telephone outlets
  • Static reduction
  • Temperature and humidity control
  • Acoustical treatment
  • Lighting and light control
  • Security devices

Many of the technologies that have been acquired for the Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD and the local school districts have been made possible with USF money.  It is our intention to continue to apply for the USF when appropriate.

• Maintain distance learning equipment.
• Maintain the fiber system to ATM so teachers, students, administration and staff will have improved Internet access, e-mail, online class capabilities
• Maintain the fiber interconnect to other fiber systems
• Maintain the Internet servers
• Maintain a bank of laptop computers
• Upgrade and maintain networking of conference rooms, with an added sound system
• Upgrade and maintain electronic office operations such as SRSD
• Maintain laptop computers for itinerant staff and ISD staff, including a rotation plan for upgrading laptops and/or desktop computers.
• Explore funding options to be able to provide additional technology to LEAs.

Explanation of How Acquired Technologies will be Integrated

All additions, upgrades and maintenance to the fiber system will provide an enhanced and diverse curriculum and access to resources for all learners despite economic and geographic constraints.

The mobile computer laboratory setting and the conference rooms will allow teachers to receive additional technological training which will ensure technological competency of all teachers, administrators, and staff.

I.  Increase Access – Section 12  Strategies to increase access to technology for all students and all teachers.

The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District has personnel on staff that has been trained on the use of assistive technologies.  This staff has conducted individual training with teachers and have presented information on assistive technologies at district wide in-services.

IV.  FUNDING AND BUDGET

J.  Budget and Timetable – Section 13  Timeline and budget covering the acquisition, implementation, interoperability provisions, maintenance, and professional development related to the use of technology to improve student academic achievement.

*Note:  Budget is for approximate expense.  Actual costs will not be available until time

of purchase.

K.  Coordination of Resources – Section 14  Strategies that will be employed to coordinate state and local resources to implement activities and acquisitions prescribed in the technology plan.

The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District has made a commitment to technology being an integral part of the curriculum and operations of our districts.  While we fully expect to continue participation in the Universal Service Fund allocation process for communication and access costs, we further expect to budget local, general fund dollars for annual commitments to instructional tools best delivered in a technology-based platform.

In addition, we will continue to seek technology grant funding whenever applicable.  Using data from both administrative and instructional systems, we will better understand the relationships between the allocation of resources and student achievement, which will aid in making future planning decisions.

V.  Monitoring and Evaluation – Section 15  Strategies that the district will use to evaluate the extent to which activities are effective in integrating technology into curricula and instruction, increasing the ability of teachers to teach, and enabling students to reach challenging state and national academic standards.

The following criteria are used in the evaluation process:

Who – Individual building school improvement teams, technology coordinators, ISD technician and technology coordinator and administration are responsible for monitoring and implementation and use of technology in the schools and at the Intermediate facility.  In addition, the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District Superintendent makes personal visits to the local school districts with the purpose of hearing how the ISD can better meet the needs of that local district.  This is a time to receive feedback which in turn affects the service we can provide each local school district.

What – Goals and objectives of this plan will be monitored to the degree which computers are integrated into the daily life of students, teachers, support staff, volunteers and administration.  Specific areas to be monitored include curriculum/technology integration, administration and technology, staff competency, and funding sources.

When – Monitoring the use of technology will be an ongoing process.  Technology reports are presented at monthly Board meetings at the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District and are included in the annual report.  In addition, the Technology Coordinators meet monthly and will be instrumental in monitoring the use of technology in each of the local education associations.

Where – Continuous monitoring and implementation of this technology plan will take place throughout the district.

How – Quantitative and Qualitative data will be obtained on a continual basis.  Data will include:  MEAP and NWEA scores, reading assessments, grade level assessments, classroom observations, focus groups, graduate follow-up surveys, teacher surveys, and GOISD staff surveys.

The Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District has several staff which work closely with the local education associations.  The General Education Dept., the Special Education Dept. and the Career and Technical Dept. each conduct evaluations of their programming with appropriate teachers and staff.

Upon reviewing the evaluations, discussions take place among the administration at the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District, from each of the three departments to address any unmet goals.  As a team the group works together to find strategies that will help achieve an unmet goal. 

M.  Acceptable Use Policy – Section 16  Strategies are in place to monitor the district’s Acceptable Use Plan for staff and student use of the technologies.

The Acceptable Use of Technology Policy (AUP) for the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District is attached.  (page 21 of this document)

The policy is reviewed annually by the Technology Team Members of the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District to determine its efficiency and assess whether it complies with state and federal law

The association between the school and other agencies and networks is very complex; therefore, the end user of any of the networks must adhere to strict guidelines.  The Board has implemented technology protection measures which block/filter Internet access to visual displays that are obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors and any other Internet content a local educational agency, elementary or secondary school or library determines is “inappropriate”.

Safety and security of minors when using e-mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications (e.g. “instant message” service); “hacking” and other unlawful activities by minors online; unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and measures designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors.

The CIPA compliant Internet protection software which is used throughout the network is BESS.

REMC #1 maintains the BESS filtering for all of our school districts including the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District and all dial in accounts from individual homes.

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STAFF NETWORK AND INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE AND SAFETY AGREEMENT

To access e-mail and/or the Internet at school, staff members must sign and return this form.

Use of the Internet Is a privilege, not a right. The Board's Internet connection Is provided for business and educational purposes only. Unauthorized or Inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of this privilege.

The Board has implemented technology protection measures which block/filter Internet access to visual displays that are obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors. The Board also monitors online activity of staff members in an effort to restrict access to child pornography and other material that is obscene, objectionable, inappropriate and/or harmful to minors. () The Superintendent or_______________________________________________________________
may disable the technology protection measure to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.

Staff members accessing the Internet through the Board's computers/network assume personal responsibility and liability, both civil and criminal, for unauthorized or inappropriate use of the Internet.

The Board reserves the right to monitor, review and inspect any directories, files and/or messages residing on or sent using the Board's computers/networks. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

() To the extent that proprietary rights in the design of a web site hosted on the Board's servers would vest in a staff member upon creation, the staff member agrees to license the use of the web site by the Board without further compensation.

Please complete the following Information:

Staff Member's Full Name (please print):______________________________________________

School:__________________________________________________________________________

I have read and agree to abide by the Staff Network and Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy and Guidelines. I understand that any violation of the terms and conditions set forth in the Policy is inappropriate and may constitute a criminal offense. As a user of the Board's computers/network and the Internet, I agree to communicate over the Internet and the Network in an appropriate manner, honoring all relevant laws, restrictions and guidelines.

Staff Member's Signature:  _________________________________ Date:  __________________

NOTE:  The Superintendent is responsible for determining what unauthorized or inappropriate use is.  The Superintendent may deny, revoke or suspend access to the Network/Internet to individuals who violate the Board’s Staff Network and Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy and related Guidelines and take such other disciplinary action as is appropriate pursuant to the applicable collective bargaining agreement and/or Board Policy.