The Desired State of Information Technology at LCS

The Desired State of Information Technology Integration
at Lincoln Community School

Students should experience rich and diverse opportunities to pursue their interests and expand their knowledge. Information technology provides one of many such learning opportunities for Lincoln students. Students and teachers should be active learners, employing information technology tools to enhance their quest for knowledge and new information.

Information Technology Infrastructure

In the desired state for Lincoln Community School, the school would support a network structure which enables all faculty, staff and students to share information within the building, throughout the Addison Northeast Supervisory Union, and around the world. Access to computers within the building would be improved and the student to computer ratio would be four students to every one computer (4:1). Students and faculty would have access to broadcast video via cable television and/or satellite programming. Voice communications within the building would also be improved to allow easy access to telephones. Electronic mail communications would be available to all faculty and staff. Student communications via e-mail would be provided under the supervision of teachers. Teachers and students would be confident using the tools of today's world, including photographic cameras, video cameras, computers, modems, scanners, video conferencing systems, fax machines, televisions and VCRs.

Information Technology Standards

Faculty, staff and students at Lincoln Community School should have access to computer software, online libraries and educational web sites, and high-quality broadcast programming via video and television networks. Access to Internet resources would be available in each classroom and in the library. Computer software would be purchased to provide a consistent program for all students. Electronic reference materials would be available to support curriculum objectives.

Students at Lincoln Community School would achieve the standards set forth in Vermont's Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunitites. In the desired state of information technology, all Lincoln students would be expected to meet the following six standards:

Research

Students use computers, telecommunications, and other tools of technology to research, to gather information and ideas, and to represent information and ideas accurately and appropriately.

Informational Sources

Students use organizational system to obtain information from various sources (including libraries and the Internet).

Communication of Data

Students use graphs, charts, and other visual presentation to communicate data accurately and appropriately.

Selection (grades 5-12)

Students select appropriate technologies and applications to solve problems and to communicate with an audience.

Simulation and Modeling (grades 9-12)

Students employ a variety of techniques to use simulations and to develop models.

Professional Development Programs

To achieve the standards set forth by the ANESU school district and the State of Vermont, Lincoln Community School must offer its staff and students quality software and broadcast programming, as well as professional development programs to train Lincoln faculty and staff on the skillful use of application software (word processing, spreadsheets, databases), telecommunications (electronic mail, Internet browsers and utilities), electronic research programs (automated library systems), CD-ROMs, and simulation software.

Within the Lincoln staff, one person should be designated to help teachers and students integrate information technology with existing curriculum goals and programs.

Technical Support

Beyond professional development, the Lincoln Community School must provide technical support to maintain equipment and software. Without reliable equipment and software, teachers will reject the integration of information technology. This support is essential in achieving the desired state noted above and protecting the investment the community makes in this infrastructure.

Community Outreach

Sharing the wealth of information available through information technology infrastructures is a critical component for the future. Lincoln residents should have an opportunity to use these technologies. In the desired state, Lincoln parents and community members will have the ability to use the school's equipment at convenient times without disrupting the regular educational program. This access would encourage parents to work with their children to support their learning. It would also provide resources to other residents who may not have children in school.