FAYETTEVILLE — A committee of School District teachers and administrators wants to improve the use of technology in classrooms by examining the need for better professional development and making sure students have the necessary digital skills.

A recent audit of the district's technology program shows access, staffing and integration are inadequate across the district. Some schools have more computers than others and some teachers are more inclined to use computers for instruction.

The district no longer teaches students how to use a computer, instead the focus is on how students use technology to learn.

The audit report recommended creating a comprehensive plan that outlines a vision for instructional technology for every school. The plan should focus on improvement and maintenance to the computer system as well as integration of technology in teaching and learning, according to the report.

The technology planning committee is starting with questions about student and teacher knowledge of digital skills and what professional development teachers say they need.

Susan Norton, executive director of information systems, said the committee's work is an ongoing process. The committee has met twice and will make periodic reports to the School Board.

The audit cost $14,800 and was completed late last year by Curriculum Management Systems of Johnston, Iowa. Norton said she requested the audit to provide a third-party assessment.

Jenny Gammill, director of science and technology integration, said the committee is divided into focus areas: professional development for teachers; integration with curriculum; board policy; assessments.

Gammill said the district has to be ready to administer online Common Core assessments to all students next school year. Some students at Vandergriff, Happy Hollow, Root and Holcomb elementary schools will take the tests online this year.

"We're a world that is technology-centric," Gammill said. "Learning doesn't happen without technology."

Norton said some teachers face technological challenges.

"We have to have teachers who are well positioned to use technology," Norton said. "We need teacher leaders to offer ideas on integrating technology in the classroom."

The audit included 25 interviews with teachers and other personnel. An online survey of teachers received 334 responses.

Many survey responders said technology planning was a building-level responsibility with little direction from the district, according to the report. Some expressed concern about how money is allocated to each school for technology.

The district spends about $2.1 million annually on technology, including upgrading infrastructure, replacing devices, buying software licenses and maintaining the network, Norton said.

Schools that have a high percentage of poverty students receive additional federal funding, which amounted to $565 per student in 2012-13. Much of that additional money was spent on technology, which attributes in part to an unequal number of devices in each buiilding, Norton said.

The interviews and survey responses perceived a lack of concern at the district level about technological inadequacies, specifically the need for more computers at the high school.

Norton said the district doesn't have a shortage of computers, but some are so old it takes longer for them to load a program than a cellphone.

"Five years is an average life cycle," Norton said. "It seems like we are always piecing something together."

Norton said the district has about 4,500 general access devices, which produces a ratio of two students for every device. Some programs, such as Environmental and Spatial Technology, have additional, specialized equipment.

"It's good to have ideas formalized," Gammill said. "The audit pointed out our weaknesses and formalized the perceptions. It's a great conversation starter. Technology has to be priority for school districts."

NW News on 03/03/2014