2013-2016 Technology Plan - Osceola County School District

Administrative and Instructional Technology
however, on-line coursework has in both the business and educational arenas a very low completion rate
(about 30% according to industry reports last year). Most of our employees still prefer the face-to-face
contact that real-time workshops provide.
7 The district offers support and training opportunities for instructional
technology.
Through district, state and grant funding, the Instructional and Media Services
department provides training and support for instructional applications like integrated
learning systems (ILS), instructional coursework for drill and practice and library services
such as cataloging and circulation. No Recommendation.
Service delivery
The Media and Instructional Technology Department is integral in providing training and support for
integrating technology into the classroom. Six Technology Resource specialists and an Instruction
Technology trainer provide training and support for Integrated Learning System applications,
instructional coursework and for the Pinnacle application. Refer to Exhibit 6-7 for a list of the
instructional technology applications supported by the department. Other applications supported by the
department include Ocseola Access and public TV access that entails coordinating programming and
student access among 29 schools. The department uses a variety of in-house as well as outside resources
for all aspects of training. Media and Instructional Technology Resources specialists provide training
sessions in classrooms, on-site at the schools, as well as on-line and in workshops.
Instructional technology proficiency
The district encourages professional development in instructional technology requiring all administrative
candidates to demonstrate a minimum level of technical proficiency before being accepted into the
program. Also, as required by s. 231.29, Florida Statutes, all instructional personnel are assessed
annually on the use of technology in their classrooms. Our analysis of the 2001 Technology Resources
Survey indicates that Osceola reported that all educators are able to operate the computer at a basic level,
56% are able to integrate technology into the classroom in support of existing practices, often requiring
students to use technology to complete assignments, and 16% are also adept at transferring skills from
current technology tools to new ones, using technology for collaboration, communication, and research.
The district is on par with state averages. See Exhibit 6-9.
OPPAGA 6-25
2013 Educational Technology Plan 25/40 School District of Osceola County Florida