The 24x7 School Technology Plan
A Plan for Integrating Classroom Technology and Curriculum
Build a dedicated 24 hour/7 days a week campus through intranet and Internet infrastructures.
It’s late at night when most students have long been asleep. But not Davie, a sophomore in high school. Davie is one of those students who likes to procrastinate, and he has certainly done just that with his history project that is due at 8:00 the next morning. While he has access to the Internet, he didn’t bring home any of his bookmarked website addresses to look up the information he needs. Even worse, he has left some of his important notes on his computer file at school. A thought flashes through Davie’s mind to try and scurry into his school to get a hold of the data, but he knows that the custodians don’t let anyone back into the building after 8:00PM.
If Davie’s school had installed a 24x7 School Technology Plan, he might not have been in such a predicament.
While there are hundreds of ways that schools can use technology to improve instruction, a full-access, round-the-clock connection might be one of the most valuable. The key to establishing a program such as this is found in a school’s technology plan and educational goals.
While the specifics should be established to support the unique needs of each individual school, some broad characteristics can be outlined to provide students a vital advantage as they enter the competitive world of higher learning.
Technology Ideas
For example, each student in a 24x7 School would receive a laptop computer allowing him or her full access to the new integrated blend of curricula and technology available from the school. For the sake of consistency, the laptops should all either be the same make and model, or share common specifications such as memory, software and speed to facilitate integration. Leasing the laptops seems to make good sense since at the end of a three-year cycle they can be purchased outright, or traded-in for a current model.
If the school is not wireless, students should be able to access multiple plug-in kiosks located around the school, as these network accessibility ports allow teachers and students access to manage information effectively via the school’s newly implemented LAN. Along with Internet access, this intranet should be established for local communications between students and teachers, among students, and among teachers. Students and teachers will then be expected to use a technology exchange for submitting papers and projects for review and editing, enhancing all disciplines, and especially Language Arts.
Technology Benefits
Classroom lessons and presentations can be made by teachers and students on large screens connected to plug-in ports in the classes. Both live and prearranged exhibitions can develop both the students’ desktop publishing strategies and presentational skills. Also, the technology could promote interactive communications with scientists, writers, experts at universities, and professionals around the world, allowing access to research any library under the direction of a classroom teacher. The 24x7 School’s design will also embrace home connectivity, making it a genuine 24 hour/7 days a week campus via intranet and Internet communications, making Davie’s life a lot easier.
There are numerous benefits to being a 24x7 School that might not seem quite as obvious. For example, a 24x7 School can facilitate team teaching efforts and interdisciplinary projects, and improve the teachers’ use of time in extended block periods, giving them more flexibility in how to vary instructional methodologies.
Students like Davie from around the world can benefit greatly from a school that carefully examines its technology plan and educational goals and becomes a 24x7 School in one form or another!
