Standard+VII

Educational technology facilitators promote the development and implementation of technology infrastructure, procedures, policies, plans, and budgets for PK-12 schools. Standard VII is the one I was least familiar with prior to stating the program. After reading the chapter, I was able to see more of what was involved in the planning and procedures for technology environments. The case studies in the text are perhaps the most informative. In the case study for this standard, it discussed a system we currently have in place at our district. Our district implemented an electronic help-desk system a few years ago for issues related to technology. Like the study, this type of system has allowed our campus and district technicians to “improve their response time and to monitor how long it takes to complete the service cycle” (Williamson & Redish, ISTE's Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards: What Every K-12 Leaders Should Know and Be Able to Do, 2009, p. 170). This system has greatly reduced the amount of downtime for teachers and students.
 * TF-VII Procedures, Policies, Planning, and Budgeting for Technology Environments**
 * __Self – Assessment__**

Through one of my field-based activities, I was able to take part in a district technology planning meeting. This group, called the Technology Task Force is comprised of members from each campus. These members help with the budgeting and planning for district technology needs. Being a part of this meeting allowed me to experience standard VII firsthand. I was able to see how our technology leader is responsible for “strategic plans, programs, and materials” (Williamson & Traci, Building technology facilitators and leaders: a standards-based approach, 2007, p. 24). With our current budget issues, I was able to learn what our most critical needs are for each campus and district.
 * __Learn as a Learner__**

In the Information Systems Management course we had to analyze our district’s technology plan. I had never read this document prior to the course. I did not even know it existed! Our district technology plan is a “part of the overall school-improvement plan” (November, 1998, para. 3). It is important to continually update both each year as new needs are assessed. Does our district update these documents each year? Do most districts update their technology plan each year? Since this standard is the one I am least familiar and have the least amount of experience with, I hope to continue to research this area.
 * __Lifelong Learning Skills__**

November, A. (1998). //Critical issue: developing a school technology plan//. > http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te300.htm Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). //ISTE's Technology Facilitation and// > //Leadership Standards:// //What Every K-12 Leaders Should Know and// > //Be Able to Do.// Eugene: International Society for Technology in Education. Williamson, J., & Traci, R. (2007, August). Building technology facilitators and leaders: > a standards-based approach. //Learning & Leading with Technology//, 22-26.
 * __Bibliography__**