• Background Information
    A committee of teachers, administrators, specialists and parents collaborated during the District’s three-year self-study process of the technology curriculum to develop the final recommendations included in the Technology Improvement Plan and toolkit. The Board of Education approved these recommendations at their Jan. 25, 2017, meeting.
     
    By visiting locally and nationally recognized schools and reviewing current research/readings on technology curriculum/integration, the committee identified key barriers in the District that were preventing our schools from providing transformative learning opportunities for all students through technology. Major barriers included students not having enough devices or not having access to the devices on hand when they needed them. Technology in Clayton’s schools was still organized around a “fixed model” (stationary labs, computers in classrooms) as opposed to a more flexible, mobile model.

    After identifying barriers and comparing those with not only current curriculum needs but also allowing for future growth, the committee developed a “toolkit” for each major level of instruction (PK, elementary, middle school and high school) in the District, which identifies types, quantities and configurations (fixed vs. mobile) that will best support the technology needs of Clayton’s students. Providing the devices and infrastructure to support the new toolkit for students forms the basis of the recommendations of the technology curriculum review. 
     
     
    Overview
    In January 2017, the Board of Education gave final approval to the Technology curriculum review and recommendations. The Technology Improvement Plan and toolkit outlined in the report and funded by the Board represents a significant step forward in the integration of technology for both students and teachers throughout the District. The overarching vision of the report, which will be implemented in three major phases between the spring of 2017 and August 2018, is founded on the principle that technology changes the way we can teach and the way we can learn. Therefore, recommendations in the report set the stage to take the necessary steps to allow staff to provide transformative learning opportunities for all students through technology across all grade levels and all content areas.

    The District will accomplish this by:
    • Increasing the number of devices available to PK-8 students: By the 2018-2019 school year, students in grades PK-8 will have additional Chromebooks and iPads available for them at school. These new devices will also bring greater flexibility as schools will move away from computer labs and fixed locations to mobile carts and labs that will provide better access to the entire school.
    • Implementing a one-to-one (device-to-student) initiative at CHS: By the start of the 2018-2019 school year, all CHS students will be issued a Chromebook to use for the entire school year.
    • Improving student account security: A new system for student email addresses and logins will be put in place in August 2017. Student accounts/email addresses will change to a combination of letters from a student’s first/last name plus a two-digit random number.
    • Upgrading infrastructure to support new devices: The District's internet bandwidth (the speed at which we can access data) and the wireless networks on all buildings will receive major upgrades in the spring of 2017. These upgrades will support the influx of new student devices as well as make it easier (and safer) for staff, students and visitors to access the internet with devices they may bring to school.
    • Providing professional development for Clayton teachers: Starting in the summer of 2017, Clayton staff will be provided with professional learning opportunities that will enable them to more fully integrate the use of technology in a meaningful way within their classes.
    • Identifying what devices teachers need to best support students: The District will develop a plan for devices and peripherals (projectors, displays, SMART Boards, etc.) teachers will need to complement and support the new student devices.