Norman Public Schools
HOMEPAGE

In the fall of l993 the Norman Public Schools formed a 28 member Technology Planning Committee. Membership included parents, members of the community, teachers and administrators. Issues addressed included instruction, staff development, management and funding. The Committee developed a vision for technology and goals for the implementation of the vision:

Vision statements were included for "Technology and Learning", "Technology and Teaching", "Technology and Assessment", "Technology and the Community", and "Technology and the Work of All District Staff".

Goals include:

1. Establish a computer communications network for the purpose of information access and sharing among classrooms within a school and among schools within the district, with parents and the community, and among district personnel.
2. Establish a video production/delivery network for the purpose of instruction, information sharing and information access.
3. Assure equity of access, opportunity and experience for all teachers, students, parents and members of the community through technology.
4. Establish the library media center as the technology hub of each instructional site.

Since l994 a great deal of progress has taken place:

Training: Staff development is key in integrating technology into the curriculum. The Norman district has developed a cadre of teachers called Pro Teachers for Technology, obtained grants to develop and staff a Technology Training Lab, and developed NPS Technology Day which has become a statewide professional development conference. Sites develop technology goals as a part of their site plans for school improvement and plan technology training. A full schedule of technology training is offered by the district focusing upon integration of technology in the classroom and stipends are paid to teachers for summer participation.

Access to Hardware and Software: Bond funds, Title I funds, PTA contributions, various grants and the district general fund have supported access to technology in this district which operates with less than the state average in per pupil expenditure. Access to computers has more than tripled; instructional software, including integrated learning systems at some sites, is in place. A "Unified Desktop" design (district standard) provides password entry to a system that combines a full PC workstation with the capabilities of network computers.

Connectivity: A wide area network begun in December of l995 (fiber provided by the cable television company) now connects every school and LANs connect almost every classroom - will connect every classroom by the fall of l999.

Technology Support: Standardization of software and hardware, extended warranties, outsourcing contracts, and a team approach to technology support were put in place in l998 to facilitate efficient technology support. The team approach combines the resources and abilities of the Information Systems and the Instructional Technology departments.

Although the district technology plan has been updated since in was put in place in l994, work on a new plan with a more focused instructional emphasis will begin in the fall of l999.