Columbia Public Schools updating technology plan

In a special session Thursday morning, the Columbia Public Schools Board of Education heard a report on new ways to make sure all students have access to technology in the classroom.

CPS Technology Services director Chris Diggs gave Thursday’s presentation on a possible two or three-year technology plan and how it could help update the district’s current technology needs for students.

“This plan is really more about evaluating where we are, making sure we are in the right place with the numbers that we have, and focusing our professional development efforts and really honing in on student centered learning,” said Diggs.

Teachers, media specialists, parents, community members and Digg’s staff were involved in developing the plan.

CPS also has a personal learning program or one to one program. The idea is to have one device for each student. School officials said they believe the technology plan fits in with that one to one program.

The board’s packet notes CPS secondary principals believe it “ensures every student has access to technology and information that will provide experiences that support their education and their future goals for college and career readiness.”

Diggs said any updates or refreshers the plan brings to light would be paid for by money the district already has.

“In 2012 our voters approved an operating levy dedicated two million dollars to our operating budget annually for instructional technology,” she said. “That’s played a huge role in getting us where we are today.”

One specific new update the plan will address has to do with 24/7 technology services for the district.

“One of the things that this plan puts into place as a strategic priority is that our previous plan didn’t was to look at creative ways to support after hours help desk,” said Diggs. “For instance when we have students at home who are trying to connect to our learning management system or parents struggling to get their Ipad online.”

They’ll also continue to make sure students are safely and appropriately using the devices.

“Digital citizenship is a huge piece of this plan and it’s something where we really need to broaden our efforts,” said Diggs. “It’s been taught primary out of our media centers and with our instructional technology specialists but we’ve realized it impacts every part of our curriculum and so we’re hoping to expand our work with students to teach them to be good digital citizens that understand privacy, safety and security of information.”

The board has to ultimately approve the plan, but Diggs said they still need to get final input from students in the fall.