This toolkit is for school districts that are considering using text messaging to improve attendance. Text messaging can reach large numbers of parents with minimal cost. This toolkit is intended to enable district leaders and staff to: (1) Consider goals and priorities for using text messaging to communicate with parents about student absences;…

The Programme for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) will establish technical standards and guidelines to ensure that the survey design and implementation processes of PIAAC yield high-quality and internationally comparable data. This document provides a revised version of the technical standards and guidelines originally…

Although it is generally argued that information technology (IT) is a science rather than an art, very few professionals follow a process of systematic evaluation and revision, usually due to the level of difficulty and time constraints involved. The intent of this document is to provide a framework for evaluation and revision of instructional…

This article explores the thesis that colleges and universities can leverage desktop computing power to address campus administration needs. It describes a study of administrative computing needs at the University of Chicago; identifies roadblocks to effective use of desktop computing, such as inadequate computing knowledge; and gives…

A technology plan provides a blueprint against which to measure new technologies and applications, assess future needs, and allocate resources to balance technology with the needs of users and staff. This book is a comprehensive and practical guide for librarians preparing a technology plan. The book is divided into five planning steps, each of…

Discusses points to consider when planning and implementing an integrated document management system: (1) background; (2) scoping the project; (3) strategic issues; (4) options review; (5) functional requirements; (6) technical requirements; (7) cost benefit analysis; (8) standard operational requirement checklist; (9) evaluation criteria; and…

The Untied Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Competency Standards for Teachers (ICT-CST) project aims to improve teachers' practice in all areas of their work, combining ICT skills with innovations in pedagogy, curriculum, and school organization. It is also aimed at…

The three papers contained within this volume examine planning for technology use in the classroom. The first paper, "PERSPECTIVES: School Level Educational Technology Planning" (Tracey Bailey, Geri Martin, Cathy Hutchins, Charles Terrett, and Ken Russell) discusses the process of educational technology planning from several different…

The goal of the United National Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Competency Standards for Teachers (ICT-CST) project is to improve teachers' practice in all areas of a their work. By combining ICT skills with emergent views in pedagogy, curriculum, and school organization,…

Outlines a systematic approach for evaluating the needs and potential problems involved when school districts seek to update their current information systems. Considers the following components: financial, technical, computer literacy, and information system management infrastructure. (MLF)

For a generation of students raised on television and video games, technology will need to play a crucial role in their learning. Understanding how to best use technology is the key to successful outcomes in the classroom for students, teachers, and administrators. The key to successful implementation of educational technology in the classroom is…

This guide offers advice and guidance to key skills managers, coordinators and other practitioners who are responsible for ensuring that the standards of portfolio assessment in their center are consistent across the center and with national standards. It describes and offers advice and guidance on the stages of assessment and internal moderation…

Presents a systematic approach for small colleges to plan effectively for the acquisition of information resources, i.e., computers and telecommunications, based on five recommendations: (1) assign task force to assess needs; (2) establish institutional goals; (3) identify the technology required to meet the goals; (4) determine financial…

This report is about information technology in the classroom and is designed to provide information to anyone who might be involved in the planning and implementation of a national program for the introduction of computers into schools. The first of two sections of the report examines the background against which policy decisions can be made,…

Outlines some of the major factors and issues a college or university needs to address in planning for and implementing distance education. It is proposed that such planning and implementation should be conducted simultaneously and be integrated into the fabric of the institution as seamlessly as possible. Considerations such as budgeting,…