Conducting a Technology Audit and Needs Assessment

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Miami Dade College, Miami *

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5723

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Information Systems

Date

Oct 30, 2023

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docx

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Conducting a Technology Audit and Needs Assessment Lisa Banegas American College of Education Resource and Fiscal Management: EL5723 Dr. Brian M. Sloan October 30, 2023

Conducting a Technology Audit and Needs Assessment Since the pandemic of 2019, a large focus on technology in the classroom and schools has been created. Computers and many new platforms have been created where textbooks, resources, and assignments are online now. ( Kerres and Buchner, 2022 ). Due to this shift in academics, it is essential school leaders ensure that technology resources, lessons, and equipment are included in all budgeting. Gateway Environmental K-8 Learning Center (GK8) is a Title 1 school located in Miami, Florida with a student body of over 1700 students. Since all GK8 students are at a free or reduced lunch due to being economically disadvantaged, barriers are likely to present and must be evaluated through a technology audit and needs assessment (American College of Education, 2023). Schools must continually evaluate and monitor their systems to ensure that all students' needs are being met. Technology Audit Report The Technology Audit results demonstrated an area of potential growth in difficulties in connectivity. It is reported that often the district and school WIFI is not consistent and specific areas have no connectivity at all. Updates are needed and connectivity hardware must be installed to fix these issues. Additionally, many software updates on numerous devices in the computer labs have not occurred. To remedy this, a computer lab IT person must be assigned to ensure these updates are made and are timely. A full-time IT school personnel could also remedy the majority of these issues since the school is so large, it is a job that encompasses many components and directives that a part-time person cannot get as they tend to focus on putting out fires when they are on school grounds. A person could make these issues known immediately and remedy them quicker since at present time there is no process other than this audit.

Additionally, staff needs opportunities to use new teaching methods and strategies utilizing and incorporating technology. During the pandemic, staff was thrust into learning new platforms, but nothing has been done beyond this. Lack of training in this field hinders the potential and learning outcomes. A plan for a series of training workshops should be given to ensure that new platforms, strategies, and innovations can be readily used. Additionally, the lack of leadership opportunities is noted. The desire and need for PLCs and training make this field an excellent way to provide both to the staff. Although both the school and the district have a technology budget, more is needed by way of creating long-term planning. For additional learning, training, upgrades, updates, and replacements a specific timeline and plan is needed (American College of Education, 2023). These areas are more specifically identified in the Technology Audit as found in Appendix A. With a strategic plan and budget, these issues can be addressed. More time, focus, and funding need to be spent to correct these issues so as to not waste the valuable resources that are now in place. Much can be implemented to elevate learning beyond the pandemic (Kerres and Buchner, 2022). There is a lack of uniformity, experience, and know-how in the majority of the staff. No timeline or plan is in place to remedy things that way at present. These changes should be addressed quickly and efficiently to meet the student needs at the school. References

American College of Education. (2023). EL5723 - Resource and Fiscal Management Module 3 [ Technology Audit and Needs Assessment]. Canvas. https://ace.instructure.com/courses/1843213/external_tools/118428 Kerres, M., & Buchner, J. (2022). Education after the pandemic: What we have (not) learned about learning. Education Sciences , 12 (5), 315. Appendix A

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