Updated: May Educational Technology Plan For Prince George County Public Schools. Technology Plan pgs.k12.va.

Transcription

1 Updated: May 2014 Educational Technology Plan For Prince George County Public Schools Technology Plan pgs.k12.va.us

2 Table of Contents Table of Contents...2 Technology Planning Committee...3 Executive Summary...4 PROCCESS...5 Summary of Connections to the Prince George County Schools Mission, Vision, and Comprehensive Plan...5 Summary of the Work of the Planning Committee and Its Benchmarks...8 Summary of the Evaluation Process and Planned Update Cycle...9 Conclusions from the Needs Assessment...9 Actions...10 Appendix 1:...19 Timetable, Budget and Priorities for Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Measures...19 Appendix 2:...21 Division Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)...21 Appendix Summary of the Internet Safety Program...24 EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 1

3 Technology Planning Committee Adrienne Johnson Instructional Technology Resource Teacher Bill Stewart Director of Technology for Prince George County Brenda Gore Director of Elementary Education Clay Westbay Technology Specialist Barry Taylor Technology Specialist Jim Scruggs - Principal John Brockwell Director of Technology Julie Brockwell Instructional Technology Resource Teacher Katie Owen Guidance Counselor Larry Eminhizer Director of Secondary Education Lena Franklin Instructional Technology Resource Teacher Lori Poythress Instructional Technology Resource Teacher Mark Tomlin Instructional Technology Resource Teacher Melissa Norris Librarian Nealan Chandler Instructional Technology Resource Teacher Pat Curry Instructional Technology Resource Teacher Roger Franklin School Board Chairperson Roger Gill Parent, Local Business Leader Sandy Thompson - Parent Stephanie Poe Instructional Technology Resource Teacher Willie Elliott Principal EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 2

4 Executive Summary Prince George County Public Schools has accepted the challenge of infusing technology into the learning environment. We want to make sure the technology in our division is used purposefully and appropriately. Our goal is to make sure that every person within the division has access to the technology tools needed to enhance learning. The committee and the technology plan hold student achievement at the highest regard. The strategies that have been developed will enable a successful integration of the technology tools of the present, while taking into account tools for the future. The Prince George County Schools Technology Plan has been put together by a committee that consists of parents, support staff, directors, school board members, and instructional technology resource teachers. Each member has expertise in different areas of the division and offers viable input on the Virginia framework components that make up the plan. Using the Educational Technology Plan for Virginia as a guide, the committee has developed strategies and measurements that will ensure technology tools are used appropriately and purposefully. Funding will be provided at the local, state, and federal level to support the specific goals and strategies that are in place. Educational Technology Plan for Virginia: Goal 1: Appropriately and adequately designed environment Goal 2: Meaningful engagement Goal 3: Purposeful application of tools for learning Goal 4: Use of authentic technology tools to extend learning capabilities Goal 5: Authentic and intelligent assessments EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 3

5 PROCCESS Summary of Connections to the Prince George County Schools Mission, Vision, and Comprehensive Plan Comprehensive Plan Technology Plan Parent Involvement Plan MISSION The Prince George County Schools are committed to providing all students and personnel with the most appropriate technological tools to enhance and support quality education and to produce active participants in the worldwide community of the 21st century. PHILOSOPHY Technology integration is paramount in preparing students to meet the challenges of an increasingly more complex society. We believe all students and all personnel should have adequate and equal access to training and literacy for technology. The infusion of technology into our instructional program is essential in fulfilling our mission of providing a quality education for each individual child. We feel it is essential to our students success that they learn about new technologies and learn by utilizing these EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 4

6 technologies. The ability to access information, process it, synthesize new ideas and communicate these ideas is key to creating independent, lifelong learners. Growing volumes of research show that the use of technology fosters creativity, encourages higher order thinking and motivates students to learn. Training for students and personnel is key to the successful implementation of Internet safety and technology in our schools. Adequate levels of computers and other technologies should be provided for students and personnel. VISION We envision the use of technology to enhance quality education and lifelong learning. To accomplish this vision, we are committed to the following principles: Providing equity of technological access Improving instruction through the use of computer technology Integrating the technology in all areas of learning Providing professional development to enhance the instructional program Ongoing Internet safety of all stakeholders staff, students, parents, and community Monitor and evaluate all Internet safety instruction for staff and students and update as needed Annually evaluate the division s technology infrastructure and the network, Internet and data security procedures in place Remain cognizant of the latest developments in Internet vulnerabilities, legal issues, and capabilities related to instruction and impact on division students Provide professional development for all staff on the social and ethical issues of Internet use including copyright, fair use and plagiarism and Internet safety and security Evaluate the effectiveness of the division AUP and update annually as needed Assess the need for community outreach related to Internet use and safety issues Provide frequent information related to Internet safety and security to parents and the community COMPREHENSIVE AND PARENT INVOVLVEMENT PLAN The Prince George County Public Schools Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2005 and approved by the School Board. The plan concentrates on four main target areas: Student Achievement, Training and Staff Development, Creating and Maintaining a Safe and Orderly Environment, and Parent Involvement. The Prince George County Public Schools Technology Plan relates to all four of these target areas presented in the Comprehensive Plan. Many of the objectives within these target areas call for certain EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 5

7 technologies in order to communicate, collect data, evaluate student performance, analyze data, etc. The Parent Involvement Plan concentrates on removing barriers between parents and teachers. Many of the technologies used within the division help parents become more effective and involved. Parents are encouraged to use the technology programs and communication outlets that are in place within the division such as Star Parent Portal and School Messenger. PRESENT STATE OF INTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENT The Prince George County School Division has made significant progress in the area of technology. The support provided by the School Board, as well as local, state, and grant funding has enabled us to accomplish the following: 3,000 multimedia (Windows) computers. 26 servers (Windows). VMWare Virtual Server Environment. 185 network printers. Division wide online teacher grade book. Tyler Sis provides online parent teacher communication. Cafeteria point of sale terminals installed in every school. School Messenger system for parent communications. All Internet access is filtered by login. Laptops for all instructional personnel. 8 full-time Instructional Technology Resource Teachers have been appointed and teacher training is ongoing. The student/administrative information system has been updated to a web-interface. Every building has at least one networked Xerox multi-function system. Computers with library, Internet and access for all teachers and staff. All library media centers include the Athena Library Automation System. Instructional LANs in all schools - media retrieval system available (6-12). Local, division and Internet available for all teachers and staff. All schools have video capability in all classrooms. The division and all schools have Internet web sites. A division-wide Acceptable Use Policy has been adopted and modified. 54 instructional computer labs including at least three in each school. Mobile Laptop carts and Smart boards for classroom use in all schools. Fax capability in all schools. Computer/VGA projection and document cameras available in all schools. Seventy percent of the instructional staff has taken one or more courses in computer skills/applications. Wireless access to faculty and staff in schools. School visitor s identification card mechanism adopted for registered sex offenders. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 6

8 Security camera systems implemented in all schools. Blog accounts for all teachers. Apple ipad cart in all schools. Summary of the Work of the Planning Committee and Its Benchmarks Activity Develop strategies and measurements for the goals provided by the state. Participate in work sessions to compile assessment data and form strategies. Participate in the Technology Plan forum to expand on ideas and strategies and compile needs assessment data. Ensure alignment with division comprehensive plan goals and objectives. Draft the Technology Plan and review the plan. Submit the Technology Plan for approval. Review and Update Technology Plan Timeline September 2010 April 2011 September 2010 April 2011 September 2010 April 2011 January April 2011 December 2010 May 2011 May 2014 EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 7

9 Summary of the Evaluation Process and Planned Update Cycle The Educational Technology Plan for Prince George County Schools will be audited on an annual basis. The plan will be revised and adjusted based on the annual audit. The Instructional Technology Resource Teachers will analyze survey data to be sure strategies are being used within the division. The ITRT s will make sure that each school has a technology learning environment that aligns with the division technology plan. Equipment will continue to be evaluated annually and replaced according to the update cycle that pertains to that piece of hardware. Reviews of division hardware and software will be led by the Office of Technology and the Instructional Technology Resource Teachers. Conclusions from the Needs Assessment Ensuring staff, students and parents are kept up to date on Internet safety and best practices for evaluating the content they view. Another important need is to make sure the staff is kept up to date on emerging technologies, however, this needs to be filtered through the Instructional Technology Resource Teachers. ITRT s will be able to assess equipment needs and factor in cost, time, and effectiveness of new technologies. Increasing the technical competency of staff members is a need throughout the division. In addition, staff members need to be aware of Internet safety concerns. Division guidelines and standards for technology programs are needed to be sure that students, teachers, and staff can move throughout the system while continuing to use the same resources and tools. Technology program guidelines will help to create effective programs for all employees and students. Finding alternative funding and maintaining current funding for technology projects will be a need due to the current budget constraints. Grants, donations, and open source programs will be evaluated to see if they can satisfy division needs. One current alternative funding source is the printer cartridge buyback program. Money is given back to the county for recycled printer cartridges. The division plans to switch from Verizon to Comcast internet services cut costs but increase bandwidth. Our goal will be to maximize technology while minimizing the cost. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 8

10 Actions State Goals and Objectives with Local Strategies and Measures Goal 1: Provide a safe, flexible, and effective learning environment for all students Objective 1.1: Deliver appropriate and challenging curricula through face-to-face, blended, and virtual learning environments. Strategy 1.1.1: Explore course offerings for students through virtual course offerings. Evaluation Strategy: Before and after, analyze the frequency counts of courses offered and taken through the virtual learning program. Time Frame: Annually in the spring Strategy 1.1.2: Explore additional virtual learning opportunities available to students. Evaluation Strategy: Before and after, analyze the frequency counts of virtual learning opportunities offered and taken. Evaluation Strategy: Analyze the user assessments of flexibility and engagement of the virtual learning opportunities offered. Time Frame: Annually Strategy 1.1.3: Provide access to Web-based content, tools, and collaborative spaces. Evaluation Strategy: Analyze use data to determine frequency of access to Web-based content, tools, and collaborative spaces. Strategy 1.1.4: Leverage higher education partnerships to assist students and teachers with access to additional curricular related resources. Evaluation Strategy: Document how the number and types of higher education partnerships differ from previous years. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 9

11 Evaluation Strategy: Describe the types, quantity, and perceived quality of instructional and technical assistance provided by higher education partnerships. Evaluation Strategy: Describe the extent to which these partnerships are accessible and useful with regard to delivering appropriate and challenging curricula. Evaluation Strategy: Document the professional development program attendance and perceived quality. Objective 1.2: Provide the technical and human infrastructure necessary to support real, blended, and virtual learning environments. Strategy 1.2.1: Maintain or exceed support for one Instructional Technology Resource Teacher position in each school building. Evaluation Strategy: Document the resources and support provided by the school division to reach this objective. Evaluation Strategy: Describe the ratio of ITRT to schools by school division. Evaluation Strategy: Describe the extent to which the actual count matches the one ITRT per 1,000 student guideline. Strategy 1.2.2: Provide resources and support for one technical support position per 1,000 students to ensure that technology and infrastructure is operational, secure, and properly maintained. Evaluation Strategy: Document resources and support provided by the school division to reach this objective. Evaluation Strategy: Describe the ratio of technical support personnel to students by school division. Evaluation Strategy: Describe the extent to which the actual count matches the one technical support position per 1,000 student guideline. Time Frame: Fall, 2014 Strategy 1.2.3: Facilitate the implementation of fiber and 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps Ethernet to every school. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 10

12 Evaluation Strategy: Describe the school division efforts to facilitate this objective. Evaluation Strategy: Describe the extent to which fiber and 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps Ethernet have been implemented in every school. Strategy 1.2.4: Facilitate parents and students with resources and instruction on the access and use of online educational resources. Evaluation Strategy: Describe school division efforts to facilitate this strategy. Evaluation Strategy: Describe the extent to which this strategy has been implemented by every school. Strategy 1.2.5: Computer equipment will be replaced at least every five years. Evaluation Strategy: Describe the number of computer systems less than five years old. Objective 1.3: Provide high-quality professional development to help educators create, maintain, and work in a variety of learner-centered environments. Strategy 1.3.1: Identify, develop, disseminate, and maintain resources to support the effective use of technology in all curricula by teachers at all levels of integration expertise. Evaluation Strategy: Examine the extent to which the school division identifies, develops, disseminates, and maintains the resources needed to support the effective use of technology across curricula and at varying levels of integration expertise. Strategy 1.3.2: Leverage public/private/nonprofit partnerships to provide professional development focused on technology integration strategies and the development of teachers and administrators 21st century skills. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 11

13 Evaluation Strategy: Document how the number and types of partnerships differ from previous years. Evaluation Strategy: Describe the types, quantity, and perceived quality of professional development provided by partnerships. Evaluation Strategy: Describe the extent to which these partnerships focus on technology integration and 21st century skills. Evaluation Strategy: Document the professional development program attendance. Strategy 1.3.3: Support pilot projects to help educators, parents, and students better understand the impact of new and emerging technologies on the learning environment and develop strategies to integrate them effectively into schools homes. Evaluation Strategy: Document the school division s efforts to support pilot projects. Evaluation Strategy: Describe the number, types, locations, and scope/extent (breadth and depth) of the pilot projects. Evaluation Strategy: Document the new and emerging technologies and strategies for technology integration in schools. Evaluation Strategy: Describe the types, quantity, and perceived quality of professional development provided by partnerships. Evaluation Strategy: Describe the extent to which these partnerships focus on technology integration and 21st century skills. Evaluation Strategy: Document the professional development program attendance. Goal 2: Engage students in meaningful curricular content through the purposeful and effective use of technology. Objective 2.1: Support innovative professional development practices that promote strategic growth for all educators and collaboration with other educators, content experts, and students. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 12

14 Strategy Utilize PD360 for online professional development. Evaluation Strategy: Number of users utilizing the site. Strategy Utilize webinars offered through various educational sources. Evaluation Strategy: Number of webinars viewed by staff members. Objective 2.2: Actualize the ability of technology to individualize learning and provide equitable opportunities for all learners. Strategy 2.2.1: Provide resources and support for ITRTs to assist teachers in integrating technology in to teaching and learning. Evaluation Strategy: Number of workshops or individual teacher training sessions. Strategy 2.2.2: Identify, develop, disseminate, and maintain resources to support teaching and learning. Evaluation Strategy: Continue to monitor resources received, ITRT websites, and weblogs. Strategy Provide a computer facilitator at each elementary school to ensure each student receives equitable instruction on appropriate technology skills to meet the technology SOLS. Evaluation Strategy: Position added to each elementary school. Time Frame: Spring, 2013 Objective 2.3: Facilitate the implementation of high-quality Internet safety programs in schools. Strategy 2.3.1: Provide resources and support for parents, teachers, library media specialists and principals to assist in ensuring internet safety. Evaluation Strategy: Number of internet safety websites made available. Number of internet safety workshops and communications disseminated. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 13

15 Strategy 2.3.2: Review of district AUP and internet safety practices for staff. Evaluation Strategy: Number of attendees at opening faculty meeting for review of AUP and internet safety practices. Strategy 2.3.3: Provide resources on school website promoting internet safety. Evaluation Strategy: Monitor resources on website. Time Frame: Fall, 2012 Goal 3: Afford students with opportunities to apply technology effectively to gain knowledge, develop skills, and create and distribute artifacts that reflect their understandings. Objective 3.1: Provide and support professional development that increases the capacity of teachers to design and facilitate meaningful learning experiences, thereby encouraging students to create, problem solve, communicate, collaborate, and use real-world skills by applying technology purposefully. Strategy 3.1.1: Provide professional development exposing teachers to technology that allows for student focused lessons. Evaluation Strategy: Administrators will visit classrooms and conduct walk through observations with a focus on student created products that were developed with the use of technology. Objective 3.2: Ensure that students, teachers, and administrators are ICT literate. Strategy 3.2.1: Provide professional development to all district stakeholders on the standards of ICT. Evaluation Strategy: All stakeholders will attend professional development sessions in which the teacher will articulate through classroom student focused instruction the ICT standards. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 14

16 Objective 3.3: Implement technology-based formative assessments that produce further growth in content knowledge and skills development. Strategy 3.3.1: Teachers will develop rubrics as a means of evaluating student artifacts/products. Evaluation Strategy: Teachers will use the teacher made rubrics to conduct formative assessments of the student artifacts/products. Time Frame: Fall 2012 Goal 4: Provide students with access to authentic and appropriate tools to gain knowledge, develop skills, extend capabilities, and create and disseminate artifacts that demonstrate their understandings. Objective 4.1: Provide resources and support to ensure that every student has access to a personal computing device. Strategy 4.1.1: Increase the number of Computer Labs on Wheels (COW) Evaluation Strategy: The number of COWs at each school. Time Frame: Fall 2013 Strategy 4.1.2: Morning and afternoon hours for school computer labs for student computer access. Evaluation Strategy: Number of students using library PCs before and after school. Evaluation Strategy: Number of students participating in after school tutoring in the computer labs. Time Frame: Fall 2011 Objective 4.2: Provide technical and pedagogical support to ensure that students, teachers, and administrators can effectively access and use technology tools. Strategy 4.2.1: Flexible On-site training Evaluation Strategy: ITRTs will schedule teacher training before, during planning, and after school. Training sessions may be scheduled for individual teacher, grade level/ curriculum, or entire staff. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 15

17 Objective 4.3: Identify and disseminate information and resources that assist educators in selecting authentic and appropriate tools for all grade levels and curricular areas. Strategy 4.3.1: Create a central location that stores technical and instructional resources. Evaluation Strategy: The web site or network share that contains all of the instructional and technical resources for staff. Goal 5: Use technology to support a culture of data driven decision making that relies upon data to evaluate and improve teaching and learning. Objective 5.1.1: Use data to inform and adjust technical, pedagogical, and financial support. Strategy 5.1: Expand and utilize Tyler SIS and other systems data management resources to analyze and guide improvements in curriculum development. Evaluation Strategy: Administrators will review Tyler SIS data and adjust curriculum as needed based on funding availability and technology advancements. Strategy 5.1.2: Evaluate systematic replacement of existing technology and deployment of new technologies. Evaluation Strategy: Administrators will use a needs assessment survey to annually evaluate technology. Objective 5.2: Provide support to help teachers disaggregate, interpret, and use data to plan, improve and differentiate instruction. Strategy 5.2.1: Use benchmark assessments (like Interactive Achievement or similar programs) for planning, disaggregating, and interpreting data to enhance and differentiate instruction. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 16

18 Evaluation Strategy: Benchmark tests are given each quarter in all core subjects using Interactive Achievement. Teachers will be required to pull data from Benchmark tests that are given quarterly. Teachers will submit data analysis to administrators each quarter. Administrators will meet with teachers to discuss classroom data at the end of each quarter. Evidence of these discussions will be provided to administrators. Time Frame: Spring 2012 Strategy 5.2.2: Use Renaissance Place for planning, disaggregating, and interpreting data to enhance and differentiate instruction in Kindergarten through the ninth grades. Evaluation Strategy: Administrators will use Renaissance Place scores in reading and math to establish building weaknesses and strengths. Teachers will use Renaissance Place data to improve and enhance instruction on an individualized basis. Time Frame: Fall 2012 Strategy 5.2.3: Use a software program such as Interactive Achievements, EIMS, and Tyler SIS to disaggregate, interpret, and maintain assessment data for the purpose of modifying instruction to meet student needs and support proficient student work. Evaluation Strategy: Administrators will use data mining and disaggregation tools to disaggregate data, to look at SOL scores to establish AYP, building trends, and groups and subgroups to formulate plans to improve identified weaknesses. Within subgroups, grade levels and classroom levels, teachers will use this program to look at historical data (SOL scores) of students that are currently in their classroom. They will create a plan to address areas of weakness within their current class population. Strategy 5.2.4: Teachers will disaggregate data generated by their own students in order to evaluate lesson plans and strategies. Evaluation Strategy: Administrators will review teachers data during summative evaluations. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 17

19 Objective 5.3: Promote the use of technology to inform the design and implementation of next generation standardized assessments. Strategy 5.3.1: Use a benchmark testing program such as Interactive Achievement. Evaluation Strategy: Use school level and county level assessments given each year through Interactive Achievement. Strategy 5.3.2: Work with a benchmark program such as Interactive Achievement to implement product improvements related to next generation standardized assessments. Evaluation Strategy: Monitor the number of customer enhancement requests from PGCS to Interactive Achievement. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 18

20 Appendix 1: Timetable, Budget and Priorities for Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Measures Funding Source Requested Estimated Estimated Telephone - Internet $88,000 $88,000 $88,000 Service Technology Supplies & $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 Repairs Software & Software $140,000 $140,000 $250,000 Agreements Hardware $75,000 $125,000 $75,000 Hardware Replacement $25,000 $75,000 $75,000 VPSA TECHNOLOGY $309,600 $309,600 $309, 600 NCLB TECHNOLOGY $7,415 $7,415 $7,415 (TITLE II D) TOTAL $695,015 $795,015 $855,015 Strategies/Measures Timetable Budget Source Annually Spring N/A Annually Software & Software Agreements Ongoing N/A Ongoing N/A Ongoing Technology compensation Instructional Fall 2014 Technology compensation Other Professional Fall 2014 Telephone - Internet Service Ongoing N/A Ongoing N/A Ongoing N/A Ongoing Software & Hardware budget lines Ongoing Software Agreements Ongoing N/A Ongoing N/A Ongoing N/A Spring 2013 Technology compensation Instructional Ongoing N/A Ongoing N/A Fall 2012 N/A EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 19

21 3.1.1 Ongoing N/A Ongoing N/A Ongoing N/A Ongoing Hardware -Technology Ongoing Technology Other Professional Ongoing N/A Ongoing N/A Ongoing N/A Ongoing N/A Ongoing Software Agreements Ongoing Software Agreements Ongoing Software Agreements Ongoing Software Agreements Ongoing Software Agreements Ongoing Software Agreements Ongoing Software Agreements Priorities: The members of the committee felt that the strategies outlined in this plan should be prioritized as follows: 1. Strategies and Maintain the current ITRT and Technology Support Staff positions. 2. Strategy Hire computer lab facilitators. Appendix 2: EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 20

22 Division Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) Internet use by students shall be in accordance with acceptable computer use policies and regulations. Prince George County Public Schools strives to provide equitable access and encourages the use of technology whenever possible and appropriate, to support the curriculum and student learning objectives. The term "computer system" includes hardware, software, data, communication lines and devices, terminals, printers, CD-ROM devices, tape drives, servers, mainframe and personal computers, the internet and any other internal or external network. A. Acceptable Use. Access to the Division s computer system shall be (1) for the purposes of education or research and be consistent with the educational objectives of the Division or (2) for legitimate school business. Acceptable use of technology and electronic information systems by students includes: Accessing research databases and libraries of information in the form of text, graphics, photographs, video, and sound. Interacting and collaborating with others. Acquiring knowledge and skills to support learning objective. Publishing opportunities. Extending teaching and learning opportunities. Prince George County Public Schools allows students and employees to access electronic information systems while safeguarding users from potential hazards by filtering objectionable sites. Users are allowed access to Internet resources with the understanding that some material may be inaccurate or objectionable. The inappropriate use of resources is not permitted. Prince George County Public Schools does not endorse and is not responsible for content associated with links outside of the Prince George County Public Schools network. Prince George County Public Schools reserves the right to block downloading from specific file extensions or specific sites. Students using Prince George County Public Schools electronic information systems are subject to monitoring by Prince George County Public Schools personnel. Parents and students acknowledge adherence to this agreement by signing the Parent/Student Responsibility form. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Page 21