Is your 20/21 Technology Plan Ready?
Greetings California Educators. How is it May already!
A few thoughts and suggestions from us here at KTG as you close out this crazy school year and prepare for 20/21.
There are clearly many unknowns around how the 20/21 school year will play out, both starting and throughout.
We believe schools need to plan for all teaching and learning models going into the new year, and there are technology implications, including network infrastructure/capacity, audio/video, and learning management systems such as Canvas, Google Classroom, Apple Classroom, and others.
Schools must also have plans and budgets in place NOW for all summer technology projects and work that's needed to be ready for the new school year.
KTG is offering a complimentary 20/21 web consultation and technology plan review throughout the month of May.
We'll discuss your go-forward plans for 20/21 and key summer activities needed to support this plan, and the unknowns. We’ll review your technology status, infrastructure, and tools, discuss best practices on using Google G Suite, Zoom Web Conferencing and other cloud-based tools and platforms to help support remote teaching and learning.
While it's anyone's guess exactly which teaching and learning model we'll be starting the new school year on, at KTG, we're advising schools to be ready for all. And like each new year, there are a variety of critical rollover tasks and projects that need to happen this summer, including deployment of new and refreshed devices, network maintenance/upgrades, and new classroom display technologies.
You've now also developed some perspective on how well your school has adapted to the remote schoolhouse model, and what software teaching and learning tools are working and where there are gaps.
Ensure your school is ready for 20/21 by mid August by having plans in place and budgets approved by May 31.
Student Devices - Whether you're using iPads, Chromebooks, or something else, these devices need to be refreshed and/or purchased, deployed with apps and security, and be ready for students to login and get started. Supply channel inventories for Chromebooks dropped immensely in March as organizations raced to setup the remote schoolhouse.
Campus Wireless - If your network is older than five years, you're likely already seeing performance and stability problems and know you need a refresh. These projects can take four to six weeks to deliver AFTER planning has been completed and orders are in.
Classroom Displays - Today’s classroom environments demand visual solutions that provide easy-to-use technology, encourage participation and collaboration, and are affordable. In a hybrid teaching and learning model teachers will need classroom technology that integrates seamlessly with their online platforms.
