Planning for Technology In light of public concern about student achievement, parents, educators, and policymakers want to know if investments in technology are producing results. A school or district technology plan gives a voice to the vision of school leaders and the stakeholders they represent. Planning for technology also becomes more important as many states and funding agents tie appropriations to the existence of a well-crafted technology plan. School leaders must play a central role in the cyclical development, assessment, implementation, and revision of school technology plans. Lesson Overview In this lesson you will explore two major concepts related to planning for educational technology: identifying priorities in a technology plan and understanding some of the complex issues related to technology purchasing and funding. Using a sample technology plan and its corresponding budget, you will become better prepared to face the important challenges of developing and revising a viable technology plan for your own school or district. Lesson Objectives At the conclusion of this lesson, you will be able to: Identify priorities that must be addressed in a technology plan Provide a review of the "Technology Planning Cycle" Evaluate a technology planning document Identify resources for supporting technology initiatives List steps necessary to implement a technology plan Identify key steps in evaluating the impact of a technology plan Better understand complex issues related to technology purchasing and funding Identify factors that influence the cost of technology initiatives, including building modification professional development hardware and software support and maintenance connectivity Explain factors that influence "Total Cost of Ownership" Assess the appropriateness of allocations in a technology budget Describe evidence that illustrates "Return on Investment" of technology expenditures