TECHNOLOGY PLAN 2021-2022
The Eleanor Briggs School is presently at the following levels:
TECHNOLOGY LEVEL – 3
TRAINING LEVEL – 2
TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
VISION STATEMENT
In keeping with the goals and objectives of the school's mission statement, “to provide a high-quality, individualized education for students with behavioral and emotional disabilities in a therapeutic environment that promotes learning and growth through excellence in teaching and learning,” The Eleanor Briggs School is committed to meet the technological needs of all of its students. The Briggs School strives to graduate students who are proficient and comfortable in using educational technology, and possesses the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly complex information society. To accomplish this vision, several items need to be addressed:
CURRICULUM
TEACHER/STAFF TRAINING-Provide on-going staff development/training in educational computer use and Google Classroom.
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE
SUPPORT
SECTION I
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
The Eleanor Briggs School is a leader in the field of special education and psychiatric treatment for children ages 5-18, whose behavioral and emotional difficulties significantly inhibit their progress in public schools. Briggs students have a 2:1 student-to-staff ratio to ensure that each student receives the individualized attention necessary to capitalize on their strengths and abilities, while helping to improve their weaker skills. A total school census of no more that 40 students affords Briggs School the opportunity to provide each student with the most personalized and effective education possible.
Since 1980, the Briggs School has provided intensive educational and clinical services to children and their families throughout Rhode Island. The primary goal of the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) proposal is to take the program to the “next level” by improving student academic achievement through the use of Technology Education. It is designed to help students cross the digital divide by ensuring that every student is technologically literate by the time they graduate from Briggs School. EETT encourages the effective integration of technology with teacher training and curriculum development to establish successful research-based instructional materials.
Literacy today goes beyond the basic skill of reading, writing and arithmetic and includes computer and other technology-related skills in the context of the workplace. Literacy is defined as “…an individual’s ability to read, write and speak in English, and compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency to function on the job and in society, to achieve one’s goals and develop one’s knowledge and potential.” Technology education is a comprehensive experience based curriculum in which students learn about technology and are provided applications for solving problems. By using such experiences in a “hands on,” cooperative environment, students will become skilled decision makers and problem solvers.
The need for technical literacy is especially critical in today’s environment. More than 75% of the approximately five million jobs added to the economy since 2003 require professional, management or technical skills. The technology explosion we are currently experiencing is not only altering our work requirements, but it is also altering every facet of our educational system. It is extremely important that we take the appropriate steps to ensure that the students at Briggs School are adequately prepared to meet the new demands that technology makes on them.
SECTION II
NARRATIVE: WHERE BRIGGS SCHOOL IS TODAY
TECHNOLGY EDUCATION CENTER
The Eleanor Briggs School has installed and maintained a robust wireless network throughout the school and has moved to a 1:1 Chromebook curriculum. We believe equipping each student with a device transforms teaching and learning in our modern world. A digital device in the hands of each student engages them in transformational learning beyond the four walls of a traditional classroom. Through the 1:1 initiative, students will have the regular opportunity to analyze, evaluate, create, and collaborate in engaging, authentic, real-world learning.
Beginning in the Spring of 2020 all students and teachers were equipped with a device to be used for educational purposes as part of the Briggs 1:1 initiative. The 1:1 initiative will allow students equitable access to learning experiences across all environments. The School’s 1:1 program will be student-centered and focused on desired outcomes. Some of those desired outcomes are as follows:
The Eleanor Briggs school continues to maintain a portable SMARTboard that can be used in any classroom, smart tv’s and chromecast capabilities in each classroom and 13 iPads.
TEACHER / STAFF TRAINING
At this time it is estimated that most of our teaching staff possess adequate computer skills. Currently there is one onsite Google administrator to handle day-to-day opertations (student email assignments and passwords). The IT department from our parent agency, Thrive Behavioral Health, manages the google platform.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
The Eleanor Briggs School's educational and technological goals are targeted to advance student learning and academic achievement to prepare students for the world of work. These goals promote skill, knowledge and performance. They are aimed at improving the effectiveness of school and classroom management, school structure and learning environment. In order to obtain this overall goal, with assistance of a technology rich curriculum, there must be certain benchmarks established to maintain the target as well as the direction. These benchmarks also help to measure against the timetable to monitor the Briggs School's progress.
2021-2022 GOALS FOR THE ELEANOR BRIGGS SCHOOL (GENERAL)
INSTRUCTIONAL AND LEARNING TOOLS
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
SUPPORT
OUTCOMES
Fuller integration of technology into all aspects of education holds far reaching potential for students and staff. In general, The Eleanor Briggs School feels the benefits are as follows:
STUDENT OUTCOMES
STAFF OUTCOMES
The use of technology in the teaching and learning environment will enable teachers to:
EVALUATION DESIGN
The following are guiding questions for the development of the technology-supported objectives:
How will technology be used to provide and support instructional practices in a challenging curriculum?
What educational technology skills will be a part of the curriculum, and how will teaching these skills to students and staff enhance and support the broader instructional goals?
How will technology be used to support and provide meaningful professional development?