Technology Department
The need to know the capital of Florida died when my phone learned the answer. Rather, the students of tomorrow need to be able to think creatively: they will need to learn on their own, adapt to new challenges and innovate on-the-fly. As the realm of intellectual accessibility expands at amazing rates (due to greater global collaboration and access to information), students of tomorrow will need to be their own guides as they explore the body of information that is at their fingertips.
~~Anthony Chivetta (student) 1/22/2008
Mission:
The mission of the Ballinger Technology Team is to encourage the effective integration of technology with teacher training and curriculum development to establish research-based instructional methods that can be widely implemented as best practices by our teachers providing the resources and equipment needed for each student's success! The Ballinger ISD Technology Department is dedicated to helping all students become better prepared to meet the challenges of a more technological, diverse, and global society. Each learner is our paramount concern as we seek to create a learning environment where all children have the right and resources to progress and where all students are motivated to develop in both character and skills for a successful future.
OVERVIEW OF DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY INFUSION GOALS:
1. To meet the challenge of preparing all students in Ballinger Independent School District (ISD) for a technologically challenging future by complying with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills guidelines as set forth by the Texas Legislature.
2. To better inform and utilize parents, community, and business leaders in the area of technology implementation. This goal includes a yearly school board presentation on Strategic Technology Planning.
3. Allow technology to be implemented in a sequentially valid plan that apportions equipment from simple to complex through the grade levels (i.e. Kindergarten should not utilize equipment more advanced than the high school campus.) This policy will require reapportionment and/or migration of equipment at reasonable and predictable intervals.
4. To allow all students to become more and more responsible for the use, care, and maintenance of equipment as they mature through the grades.
5. To more profusely integrate technology tools in the curriculum as students move through the grade levels. New technologies, new techniques, and new skills will accompany each grade level in a logical, sequential, technology-infused curriculum.
6. To commit Ballinger ISD in providing all students the most effective, current and real-world technologies so that all students may gain valuable, relevant, and marketable skills.
7. To utilize technology in the district to meet student instructional needs and District administrative needs. Planning for technology will be driven by instructional objectives, student needs in achievement, curricular and instructional strategies, and administrative assessments for effectiveness. Hardware will never drive the Technology Plan.
8. Inter-connectivity will be the priority of the Technology Plan. The ability to share resources, information, and ideas is one of the most important assets a school district can offer, second only to character development through a nurturing, caring spirit.
9. Student safety is paramount with the district. Curriculum centered around Digital Citizenship, Cyber Bullying, and Internet Safety will be provided to all students. Parent education will be offered for parents on how to keep your student safe in the online world.