TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

• William S. Bunch
  Director, IT
• Deborah Tower
  Personnel Coordinator
• J. Richard MacMullen
  Director of Quality Assurance

 VISION STATEMENT
In keeping with the goals and objectives of the school's mission statement, the MIS department is committed to meet the technological needs of all students entering Harmony Hill School.  Through the Individual Education Plans (IEP) and 504 plans, the Harmony Hill School is committed to graduating students who are proficient and comfortable in using educational technology, and possess the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly complex information society.  To accomplish this vision, several items need to be addressed:

 CURRICULUM

• Develop and implement a comprehensive computer curriculum scope and sequence from grades K-12
• Provide opportunities to unrestricted students an awareness of the variety of computer applications available, and develop skills for use in dealing with the information age.
• Use word processing, databases, and spreadsheets as learning tools across multiple content areas
• Use individual software applications to address specific subject areas (i.e. CD's for Science, History, English)

 TEACHER/STAFF TRAINING

• Provide on-going staff development and training in educational computer use.

 HARDWARE/SOFTWARE

• Determine needs and procedures to purchase appropriate hardware including network installation.
• Determine needs and procedures to purchase appropriate software and related materials.
• Develop and implement methods for housing, organizing, protecting, and replacing software and related materials.

 SUPPORT

• Establish and develop roles of each curriculum for purposes of integration, teaching, coordination, and maintenance of technology.

 SECTION I
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Harmony Hill School Technology Committee agrees with the following statements regarding the role of technology for education and the requirements for school facilities as stated by the Rhode Island Department of Education.

INTRODUCTION
Recognizing that technology has changed the way our society works, plays and learns, the Harmony Hill School Technology Committee has identified and constructed a vision for technology.  In order for student to be able to utilize interactive technologies to problem-solve, create, communicate, and collaborate in meaningful contexts.

Literacy in our information and technology rich society requires that individuals not only be able to read and write, but also to employ effectively and efficiently information and technology for learning, research, problem solving, transition to work, and communications.  Students must learn to use a computer as a tool to access new information.

Telecommunications can bring distant information resources, courses, programs and professional development to schools and make connections among schools, libraries, homes, and businesses.  These linkages with other sources of information – domestic and foreign, private or public – are beneficial to learners and educators.

Equitable access to information and technology by teachers and students is a key factor in improving the quality of education in our State, promoting economic growth, and developing an enlightened citizenry for the twenty-first century.

Recently published reports by the United States Department of Education have stated that technology is the student's key to achieving world class standards in the learning environment.  To achieve this goal, equal access to technology and information for our students and teachers is imperative.  Our students must not be denied the opportunity to take advantage of the electronic networking opportunities available for on-line services, national and global learning; multimedia use and applications and inter-school collaboration.

This is the second Technology Plan for the Harmony Hill School.  It sets forth aggressive yet reasonable guidelines for the integration of technology into the core competencies of the school from Admission to Discharge.

We believe in the development of lifelong learning skills and process skills such as:  flexibility, adaptability, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration which is essential to be successful in our program and in our rapidly changing information age.

Lifelong learners are:

1. Responsible for their own learning
2. Skilled in assessing and processing information
3. Confident in using technological tools
4. Ethical in the use of information and information technology
5. Able to solve complex problems alone or collaboratively
6. Capable of being creative and innovative
7. Able to communicate locally, nationally and globally

In order to create and develop an environment through which our students can become lifelong learners an thrive in today's technological world, Harmony Hill School has produced this plan.

This plan is a "living document" and is therefore presented both on disk and in a three ring binder to allow the easy addition of new material and removal of old.  It is a guide which not only provides the planning and infrastructure for its own execution, but which also provides the means for continuous evaluation of progress toward the stated goals.  Throughout the implementation of this technology plan, we will use a process of continuous "pre-assessment" and "post-assessment" to maintain our direction as well as marking off our milestones as they are reached.

Our vision is to use appropriate classroom technology to create a collaborative, hands-on, curriculum and environment.  To this end, we will attempt to describe the desired curriculum applications and required technology platform for each of the curriculum areas.

As one reads the plan, one should note the following priorities:

1. Learning and improved social behavior are the ultimate objectives.  Use technology to enhance both the desire for students to learn, and their ability to discover new information through the proper integration of technology into the curriculum.
2. Teachers must be ready to continually learn new information.  The teacher training process must be continuous and on-going.
3. Technology must be used in the day to day operations of the school to provide increased efficiency in all aspects.

 SECTION II
NARRATIVE:  WHERE HARMONY HILL SCHOOL IS TODAY
There have been significant changes in the level of technological development at Harmony Hill School over the past few years.  Today most of the administration have computers and a state-of-the-art LAN.  However the classrooms lack equipment.  Most classrooms have at least one PC with a Pentium II processor.  Presently there is no library on the campus for student or staff use.

SERVERS
During the past three years, servers were converted from Novell operating systems to Windows 2003.  Two outmoded servers were replaced with HP dual processor units.  In addition 4 new servers have been added to accommodate the increased workload and to manage email.  A new GnatBox firewall was added to improve security.

TECHNOLGY EDUCATION CENTER
The Harmony Hill School received a grant from the Rhode Island General Legislature to buy and configure computers for the Technology Center.  Each system is a Pentium II with CD-ROM drive.

TEACHER / STAFF TRAINING
A needs assessment in 1997 indicated that a majority of staff believe they are not competent in computer technology.  A rigorous development plan is underway to first train support staff, i.e. Youth Care, Therapists, Secretaries.  Teachers will be provided with development days through the school year.

At this time it is estimated that most of our teaching staff do not possess the basic computer skill.  Currently there is one Technology Teacher and one Technology Coordinator / MIS Director to handle all the requests that the staff present.  Continued training and planning is needed to meet our goals.  In early 2007, a set of training programs offered by Microsoft for their products were made available to all staff.  The staff are able to take these courses at their convenience via the Internet at any location there is access (home, work, etc.)

 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008
Harmony Hill School's educational and technological goals are targeted to advance student learning and academic achievement in order to prepare students for the world of work.  These goals promote skill, knowledge and performance.  These goals are aimed at improving the effectiveness of classroom and school management in order to improve the 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 Harmony Hill School's progress.

 3-YEAR GOALS FOR HARMONY HILL SCHOOL (GENERAL)
INSTRUCTIONAL AND LEARNING TOOLS

• Provide students with the best available technology to fully utilize the power of the information age.
• Keep technology adequately available for the use of the students and staff.
  Teach technology as a tool to help students learn, not just as a subject to learn.
• Provide students with appropriately selected software.
• Prepare students to leave Harmony Hill School with a greater understanding of Technology.
• Establish accountability for the successful integration of technology into the curriculum with everyone from the student to the Director of Education.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

• Provide ongoing education for staff on how to use and integrate technology as an effective tool.
• Provide staff with "hands-on" practice time for what they learn in their lab sessions.
• Relate staff development to their immediate job responsibilities.
• Include all staff in the school in technology education.
• Help staff overcome any resistance to the use of technology.
• Provide staff with ability to perform document processing applications such as publishing, forms management and data base to promote record keeping and information sharing.

SUPPORT

• Provide support for hardware, software and personnel so that technology may be integrated effectively into teaching, learning, and management tasks.
• Maintain all documentation following installations in one area.
• Provide adequate curriculum and integration support on an ongoing basis.
• Include therapists, and youth care staff in training an access to technology.

 5-YEAR GOALS FOR HARMONY HILL SCHOOL (SPECIFIC)

• Place computers in all dorm and school classrooms with at least a 2 Ghz PC and 512 Mb memory.
• Wire all classrooms with category 5 Network wire
• Install Microsoft DHCP and IAS servers
• Complete a software and hardware audit of whole campus to account for all assets of the MIS department
• 40 Hours per year of teacher training on computer instruction
• Complete computerization of all tasks (i.e. grades and treatment information)
• Establishment of on-campus intranet for notices and calendars, etc.
• School Web page on the Internet
• Internet availability for all staff (Therapists, Teachers, Youth Care)
• Remain current through publications, workshops and seminars
• Digital library computer
• Conversion of Finance application software (MIP)
• Grade K – 4 (1 computer per 6 students)
• Grades 5 – 12 (1 computer per 4 students)
• Teacher workstation per classroom
• Replace antiquated telephone switch with one that will eventually support VoIP
• Install a dedicated generator for equipment in the data center (servers, switches, etc.)

 OUTCOMES
Fuller integration of technology into all aspects of education holds far reaching potential for students and staff.  In general, Harmony Hill School feels the benefits are as follows:

1. Increased effectiveness
2. Better budget / dollar costs
3. Improved access to and distribution of information
4. Improved student performance

 STUDENT OUTCOMES

• Improved student achievement
• Improved motivation of the student
• Promote computer literacy
• Prepare students for the future and turn them into lifelong learners
• Provide new experiences both locally and globally
• Help develop problem solving skills, critical thinking, and decision making
• Foster creativity
• Eliminate redundancy
• Provide immediate feedback for students, teachers, and parents
• Provide more active roles for students in the learning process

 STAFF OUTCOMES
The use of technology in the teaching and learning environment will enable teachers to:

• Assist teachers through efficient lesson preparation, revision, presentation, and evaluation
• Provide challenging learning opportunities to all students at all levels
• Increase motivation for teachers themselves
• Access and use instructional networks and cooperate on interdisciplinary learning units
• Improve access to student information, i.e. grades, attendance, schedules
• Keep more efficient records

 TRAINING LEVELS DESCRIPTION

Level I:

• Teachers – No Training
• Students K-4 – No Training
• Students 5-8 – No Training
• Students 9-12 – No Training

Level II:

• Teachers – Average Training
• Students K-4 – No Training
• Students 5-8 – No Training
• Students 9-12 – No Training

Level III:

• Teachers – Advanced Training
• Students K-4 – No Training
• Students 5-8 – No Training
• Students 9-12 – Average Training

Level IV:

• Teachers – Advanced Training
• Students K-4 – Average Training
• Students 5-8 – Average Training
• Students 9-12 – Average Training

Level V:

• Teachers – Advanced Training
• Students K-4 – Advanced Training
• Students 5-8 – Advanced Training
• Students 9-12 – Advanced Training

 TECHNOLOGY PROFILE
The following is a technological profile of Harmony Hill School, Inc.

APTITUDE LEVELS