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Technology Plan

SSIS Mission Statement

SSIS is a college preparatory school committed to the intellectual and personal development of each student in preparation for a purposeful life as a global citizen.
 

1.1 Mission

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT ) Mission Statement
To support the SSIS mission statement we will capitalize on the power of technology to expand learning opportunities, to increase student achievement, and to increase efficiency and productivity.  This will be achieved by advancing communication throughout the learning community, improving the teachers' ability to utilize technology tools to deliver instruction effectively, and managing electronic information efficiently.

1.2 Beliefs

Current educational research confirms our beliefs that:

  • integrated technology contributes significantly to student learning.
  • technology enhances student educational experiences by supporting the curriculum, providing the tools for future success, and by providing opportunities for communication to broaden awareness of our global society.
  • appropriate technology can be used by teachers to support learning experiences, provide alternative assessment, communicate with families, and manage classroom record keeping.
  • teachers play a large role in integrating appropriate technology.
  • teachers and students need access to current technology and professional/personal development opportunities.
  • It is imperative that students realize that respect, tolerance, and honesty must also be applied  in their use of technology.

 

Defining our Mission and Beliefs
Information Communication Technology (ICT; see Appendix 1) has become an important part of most areas of daily life, including life at school. Over the last few years, however, there has been a significant and fundamental shift in the role of ICT, affecting all members of our school community: it has evolved from a simple productivity tool (exemplified by word processors and spreadsheets) to being a method of accessing and sharing information, often involving dynamic interaction with other users (for example by blogs, wikis and social networks — often collectively referred to as 'Web 2.0').

Technology is fundamentally changing the way people work and live. Because of the advances in technology, the learning needs of students have changed in what they learn and, more importantly, how they learn.  In this age of information, the ability to gather, create and distribute thoughts and ideas through electronic communication is vital. Therefore, it is imperative that SSIS students and graduates are proficient in the efficient and ethical use of technology.
 

Technology is a powerful tool when used by teachers to maximize the learning of students.  It is necessary to integrate the use of technology alongside other effective learning tools and strategies to teach students the knowledge and skills they need to be responsible and contributing members of society.  To be successful, we must infuse them into the curriculum, not to make up an additional course, but rather to be integrated within the traditional curriculum to create authentic learning opportunities. 


The use of technology in education is most effective when:

  • the instructional environment motivates students to engage in active learning and inquiry.
  • access to technology is readily and equitably available to achieve learner outcomes.
  • learning needs of the students govern adoption and implementation.
  • curriculum is integrated with technology activities and instructional strategies.
  • implementation increases productivity and communication efficiency.
  • learning boundaries are extended beyond the physical classroom.
  • technology use is supported by ongoing professional development and technical assistance.
     

By articulating this vision, SSIS directs its efforts toward creating a learning environment where teachers are partners with their students in learning endeavors, and students are taught not only technological skills, but also the critical thinking, communication skills, and ethical use of technology required in the current world.

1.3 ICT Vision

ICT is crucial for everyone's future in modern society and at Saigon South International School it is an integral part of learning, teaching and communicating in an interactive way.

Defining our Vision
Technology at SSIS will have a significant impact on student learning, teacher methodology, and classroom environment now and in the future. This will prepare students to communicate effectively, adapt to a wide range of situations, develop responsibility for their own learning and well-being, and contribute to the global society.

Through the appropriate use of technology, our students will be prepared for the diverse technological challenges of a global future. With this in mind, it is the vision of the school that:

  • Technology will be appropriately integrated within every subject area, enhancing the breadth and depth of students' learning experiences
  • Learning will become more multidisciplinary as technology facilitates links among areas of knowledge.
  • Students will be better prepared for the technology-related demands found in higher education and in the workplace

At SSIS, students will:

  • Communicate using a variety of media and formats
  • Access and exchange information in a variety of ways
  • Compile, organize, analyze, and synthesize information
  • Draw conclusions and make generalizations based on information gathered
  • Know content and be able to locate additional information as needed
  • Be self-directed learners
  • Collaborate and cooperate in team efforts
  • Interact with others in ethical and appropriate ways

Goals

  1. All staff members, through training and development, will acquire the skills necessary for the use of technology in curriculum and instruction.
  2. Students will utilize technology to access information and communicate.
  3. Students will acquire the skills necessary to evaluate, synthesize, and organize information.
  4. SSIS will instill in the school community, a solid foundation and understanding of ethical, environmental, safe and appropriate use of information and communication technologies.
Goal 1

All staff members, through training and development, will acquire the necessary skills for the use of technology in curriculum and instruction

Objectives
All staff members will:

  • Participate in periodic training on new and updated technology.
  • Demonstrate appropriate technology literacy skills.
  • Attend technology focused in-service training as required.
  • Understand education trends of technology.
  • Establish relationships with other schools for the sharing of ideas and resources related to technology.
Goal 2

Students will utilize technology to access information and communicate.

Objectives
The students will:

  • Access information and communication resources via a school-wide network
  • Use communication services
  • Access online information services

The teachers will:

  • Use technology in their curriculum and instruction
  • Meet individual student needs, interests, and learning styles.
  • Provide realistic simulations, models, and immediate feedback.
  • Establish collaborative and cooperative learning experiences that promote research, analysis, and interpretation.
  • Create realistic experiences that promote life-long learning. Use creative means of presentation and communication that facilitate individual learning and promotes excellence.
Goal 3

Students will acquire the skills necessary to evaluate, synthesize, and organize information.

Objectives
The students will:

  • Use technology as a tool for productivity and for solving complex, realistic problems
  • Know when to use technology and how to select the correct tools
  • Use a wide variety of software applications
  • Use technology to present and communicate creatively
  • Explore new modes of assessing and using information
  • Transfer current understanding to new learning situations
Goal 4

SSIS will instill in the school community, a solid foundation and understanding of ethical, environmental, safe and appropriate use of information and communication technologies.

Objectives:

  • Students and Faculty will demonstrate positive social and ethical behaviors when using technology.
  • Teachers will model and provide direct instruction of ethical, environmental, safe and appropriate uses of information and communication technologies.
  • SSIS will integrate ethical and appropriate uses of information and communication technologies into curriculum standards and benchmarks.
  • SSIS will maintain and enforce a clear and published Responsible Use Policy

 

Updated October 2013 - Technology Committee