The Information Technology Services Department provides administrative and instructional technology services to support the district’s mission to ensure ALL students become lifelong learners, caring individuals and responsible citizens. Since our main focus is to support the endeavors of others in the district, we focus our goals in the following areas:
Lifelong Learning
Information in and of itself is only one piece of learning; students must be able to ask questions, find information to answer those questions, and apply their knowledge to gain understanding. Information literacy has become a cornerstone of lifelong learning; this department is dedicated to providing resources to access information and develop products that help solve problems and that can help students show others what they have learned. Students utilize a variety of technologies to access data and information, synthesize their data, and communicate their new knowledge to others. Utilizing a seamless networked environment, students and staff are able to centrally store documents, access electronic mail, work with digital images and video, move from computer to computer with ease utilizing software for brainstorming and organizing ideas, computing with spreadsheets, accessing online databases, creating digital imaging and text based products. Through this seamless access, technology is available to any student and to teachers for integration activities throughout the school year.
Additionally, we work with our local community and institutions to develop partnerships to bring adult technology literacy to community members.
Caring Individuals
Technology can be perceived as dividing individuals and creating situations where people do not connect with each other. The technology and systems put into place are setting the stage for students to communicate with each other, with people from different regions of the United States and regions of the world. The connections with other people create an understanding of cultures and experiences that may be prohibited by geographic isolation. The technologies available to students also allows for team project work that bring individuals together to learn and solve problems. An example of this is the extra-curricular club – Students with an Attitude About Technology (SWAT). Students meet after school, learn to use advanced technologies and how to work with adults and teachers. Students in our elementary schools use IP Video systems to connect with each other learning about students in different regions of the Menomonie area. We continue to improve our electronic communications tools that will bring students, staff, parents, and community members together.
Citizenship
Accessing information is one cornerstone of information literacy; another is providing new information to others via electronic means such as the world wide web. Through the development of web-based databases, the department serves the district community service/service learning goals by supporting Wisconsin Connections – a database managed by Job Center that lists area businesses and non-profit organizations interested in working with students and the schools. Supporting effective electronic tools opens the possibility of information that is not available through other means allowing students to gather information and become informed citizens.
Other Department Goals/Accomplishments
The District Information and Technology Plan outlines four areas to address:
1. Student Achievement
2. Professional Development (Teachers learning)
3. Administrative Technology/Software/Support
4. Instructional Technology/Software/Support
We have continue work on these areas combining our efforts with the building leadership and staff, Curriculum Council, Assessment Committee, and administrative departments. Our goals for the next year are to implement our approved VOIP system, wireless network and network electronics upgrade, continue to work with teachers and staff to integrate technologies into the curriculum in ways that improve/enhance student achievement, continue to work with the Library Media Departments on Information/Technology Literacy, continue building on the partnerships with the community that were developed this year (Menomonie Chamber of Commerce, Menomonie Public Library, UW-Stout, and others), and to support high levels of technology usage by students in all curricular areas.
You are welcome to call us at any time to review additional services and technologies that are being used by staff and students. And, you can also find additional information about the district from our web page at www.sdmaonline.com.
