The plan includes new goals in regard to staff orientation, artificial intelligence and classroom digital safety, among other topics.
The overview
The 2024-27 FISD technology plan was written and recommended by members of the Technology Plan Committee in 2023, and was updated in 2024 when the new Executive Director of Technology Jeremy Walker began his role in spring 2023.
The update included new goals in the following areas:
- Staff orientation
- Student internship programs
- Artificial intelligence
- Instructional technology enhancements
- Responsible use guidelines
- Classroom digital safety
The areas were formed into the following six goals:
- Goal 1: Increase and stabilize bandwidth capabilities and reliability.
- A presentation by the district notes that FISD has a reliable network but access to quality technology is not consistent throughout the district.
- Some objectives within this goal is to get the district onto the next generation Wi-Fi, and upgrade connection bandwidth to elementary and secondary campuses.
- Goal 2: Provide intentional, proactive and responsive support systems to learners, facilitators and the community.
- An objective on this goal is to use data to plan and provide professional learning on technology use for staff.
- Goal 3: Research the best practices for digital instruction; provide resources and training that promotes creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration; and increase the pattern of responsible technology use where all learners are engaged.
- Goal 4: Digital citizenship, which addresses student safety and behavior online.
- Goal 5: Data safety, which maps out what the district is doing to keep personal data secure.
- Goal 6: Provide staff with information and development on new communication mediums, which will also support communication within the district regarding the availability of equipment and services for staff.
Board members and district officials also discussed a potential technology refresh for the district. Walker estimated the district needed to invest about $500,000 to “get us back on track.”
“It is a pretty heavy price tag, and I know it’s a really big ask for the district, ... especially with the budget landscape that we have in Austin,” Walker said. “If we have to prioritize, we'll prioritize. We want to make sure that we're providing the right tools for the teachers and students.”
