Digital Strategy vs Technology Plan

 WHAT IS A DIGITAL STRATEGY?



Schools use information and communications technologies (ICT) to expand and improve their teaching, learning, and evaluation methods are mapped out in a digital strategy. 2020 UNESCO



A Digital Strategy should include the following:
  • Background and Overview -  school information, demographics, purpose, vision and mission of the institution
  • Digital Literacy and Capacity - look at the digital skills and competencies for teaching and students, digital tools, subject content and pedagogy, teaching, learning and assessment, professional development, professional learning networks  and professional learning communities 
  • Digital Technology Infrastructure - is concerned with the procurement and maintenance of digital devices and other technology resources, internet connectivity, digital safety, data security, online safety and technical support
  • Digital Leadership - focuses on implementation, data management software, tracking student progress, new and emerging technologies in education, continuous professional development, communicating with parents and other stakeholders and monitoring and evaluation. 

WHAT IS A TECHNOLOGY PLAN?
A technology plan is not simply a plan for what technology should be purchased and when it should be upgraded. It is a mechanism to help prioritize and budget for the technology tools that are most important for achieving organizational goals. By starting with an organisation's mission and priorities, a technology plan helps to clarify where opportunities exist to improve infrastructure or deliver services in a new way. 


The Technology Plan should include the following: 

  • Clearly defined objectives and tactics should be used to integrate technology to improve the teacher-learner process.
  • Establish a framework for evaluating the
  • A budget for the procurement of devices and other technological resources
  • Strategies for teacher professional development to ensure that they are knowledgeable about the latest technology
  • Processes for monitoring and evaluating

LESTER VAUGHAN'S CURRENT SITUATION

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY             
                                                                           
At the moment, Digicel provides wireless broadband service to Lester Vaughan School at a speed of 15 Mbit/sec. Most staff areas and office spaces have wireless internet access, although the signal is weak and coverage is still a big problem. The teaching and learning process is severely impacted by the difficulty in connecting to the wireless network, with the exception of the computer laboratories where the computers are connected to a network.

HARDWARE

The Unified Security Gateway Pro and Swither are the hardware currently in use at the institution. There are approximately 85 desktop computers dispersed across the three computer labs, 25 laptops in the technology room, and 30 brand-new desktops ready to be used in a lab in the storage room. One is employed by the librarian of the library. The six computers are located in the electronics room. Six multimedia projectors and one smart board make up the official equipment for the school. Eight smart TVs have been installed in various specialty rooms in addition to the two that are already in the auditorium.


SOFTWARE

The three main resources used in the teaching and learning process are Microsoft Office 365, AutoCAD 2022, and Google Suite for Education. Additionally, some teachers make use of Quizizz and Nearpod. According to the questionnaires, some teachers also use YouTube, Liveworksheets, and Kahoot in addition to other digital tools. Using the Open Education Management Information System, the entire school completes school reports and tracks attendance (EMIS).

POLICIES FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION STORAGE & DEVICES

Educational leaders should take the required precautions to secure their information from unauthorised disclosure given that the school handles a variety of sensitive information on both employees and pupils. The ministry's cloud storage and servers are used to store information for both teachers and students. Information is also stored principal's office and in an unlocked storage room. both house Teachers also keep information on their laptops and USB drives.


There is no document that specifies the rules for how teachers and students should utilise technology. Any hardware must be signed in and out after use, per the ITC. Educators and parents must sign a document containing user policy details.

BARRIERS/CHALLENGES
  • Internet accessibility
  • Inadequate expertise and skills
  • Teacher resistance
  • Budgetary restrictions

ICT integration at the Lester Vaughan School is now best accomplished through a digital strategy, in my opinion. This is the case after conducting a SWOT analysis and taking into account the school's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The following objectives will be accomplished.
  • enhancing the teacher-learner process
  • providing adequate training to all stakeholders
  • developing skills and confidence of teachers in the appropriate use of digital technology
  • empowering leaders to drive innovation and procurement in digital technology
  • improving access to digital technology for all learners




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