Planning for Technology - school renovation and construction

Journal of Instructional Psychology, March, 2002 by Camilia Anne Czubaj

* Since schools should be centers of the community, the needs of the entire community should be considered.

* The relationship with technology must be taken into consideration.

* A budgeting formula of 2 for 2, 1 for 1 for 1 is helpful for allocation of funds.

* A "work-in-progress" technology planning document allows for the continual revisions that are necessary due to the rapid development of technologies.

* To access the technological status of schools, an assessment rubric can be used.

There are many resources available for technological planners: organizations, booklets, web sites, books, and conferences. Lastly, to assist with the funding needed for technology, a bipartisan bill allowing $24.8 billion in interest free bonds for school upgrades awaits introduction and approval. However, since it is estimated that it will cost $322 billion to renovate American schools, this bill will merely cover a fraction of the costs if and when it is approved. Communities will have to look for other resources to fund their needs for technology.

References

CEFPI annual technology conference. (2/3/ 01). Council of Educational Facility Planners International. [On-line]. http://www.cefpi.com/ events/tech.html\

Designing places for learning. (2/3/01). Council of Educational Facility Planners International. [On-line]. http://www.cefpi.com/ pubs.html

Dunne, D. W. (1/22/01). NEA calls for modernizing nation's schools. Education World. [On-line].wysiwyg://9/http:// www.educationworld.com/a_issues/ issues078.shtml

Fries, B. & Monahan, B. (1998, January-February). School district technology planning in an era of rapid change. Educational Technology, 38 (1), 60-62.

Jukes, I. (Speaker). (1998). The audio journal for educational leaders: Technology report. (Cassette Recording Vol. 7, #3). Prospect Hgts, IL: Audio Education, Inc.

Jukes, I. & McCain, T. (11/9/98) Planning for success-Where's your organization at? [On-line], http://www.audioed.com/egi-local/ dis.egi?JID=J0006&EID=E0004

Modernizing America's schools-three-fourths of school buildings need repair. (2000, August). U.S. Department of Education Community Update, 79, 1, 3.

Naisbitt, J. & N. (Speakers). (2000). An interview with John and Nana Naisbitt about the book High Tech-High Touch. (Cassette Recording Vol. 8, #5). Prospect Hgts, IL: Audio Education, Inc.

U.S. Department of Education. (2000). Schools as centers of community: A citizen's guide for planning and design. Jessup, MD: Editorial Publications Center.

Camilia Anne Czubaj, Ed.S., CEO, Emedia Technologies.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Dr. Camilia Anne Czubaj, 3796 N. Tillotson, Suite 140, Muncie, Indiana 47304