At last week’s MTPS Board of Education meeting, the board was given an update on the district’s previous technology plan as well as its plan for the next three years. The plan is designed to improve the connection between technology and learning in classrooms. The board unanimously approved the 2016–2019 Technology Plan.
“This is a road map for the future. It can be changed at any time,” Director of Instructional Technology Jeffrey Arey said.
A technology plan is submitted to the state every three years, according to Arey. For Moorestown, a one-page rolling three-year plan has been used and updated since 2013. Now is the time to submit another three-year plan.
The overarching goals of the plan are to support collaborative problem solving, engage students and improve their learning, provide consistent and appropriate access to technology, and integrate technology with and within curricular programs.
For the prior plan, things that have been worked on and utilized include: the use of Google classroom, installing LCD projectors for K-6, improving wired/wireless network, adding the 1 to 1 laptops rolled out for grades seven to nine, having additional support staff and technology integration teachers, having a “help desk” at William Allen Middle School and Moorestown High School, and having professional development around Google, smart boards and more.
As for the new three-year Technology Plan, the plan for year one includes:
• Encouraging shifts to online versions of software, e-textbooks and digital resources.
• Adding a 1-to-1 roll out for grades 10 to 12 and Lenovo laptops to grade six.
• Hiring two additional full-time staff to support increased technology.
• Professional development: Smart Doc cams, Discovery Education Streaming videos, Office 2016.
• Finishing wireless network upgrades at K-6 schools.
• Improving the school district’s website.
“We decided we needed a better website. We chose School Messenger … They created a new design and layout for us. It is a lot more modern and responsive … They are currently working on converting what we have on our existing website to the new website and (the goal is to) go live July 1,” Arey said.
The plan for 2017–2018 includes:
• Reducing inkjet printer inventory in grades six-12 by 25 percent.
• Creating student peer tech-support groups.
• Adding iPad stations in K-three classrooms and additional laptop/iPad carts.
• Exploring “makerspaces” and “innovation labs.”
• Professional development: integrating 1:1, Google, etc.
• Evaluating and renewing/upgrading Internet capacity.
The plan for 2018–2017 includes:
• Continuing the reduction of inkjet printer inventory in grades six-12 classrooms.
• Continuing shift to online/digital resources.
• Transitioning to implementing bring-your-own-device for grade 12 students.
• Professional development: managing a bring-your-own-device/mixed classroom, Google, etc.
In other news:
• Nominations for board vacancies were made at the meeting and unanimously approved. The new board members are Dimitri Schneiberg and Sandra Alberti.
• The board honored and commended Interim Superintendent Carole Butler, Interim Director of Curriculum and Instruction Susan Tosti, and Business Administrator Lynn Shugars for their work during the superintendent search. The three women were given flowers by board president Kathy Goldenberg. Shugars, who is going to Cherry Hill Public Schools, will be replaced with Interim Business Administrator Paul A. Whitman, who was the business administrator for Burlington County Institute of Technology before he retired.
• Retiring business teacher Rosalind Chadwick-Garrigle was commended for all of her work during her 16 years with the school district.
