Hardware, Infrastructure, Physical Plant, Software, and Technical Support Needs

(about 2 pages in length)

Rubric Criteria: This section summarizes the technology hardware, networking and telecommunication infrastructure, physical plan modifications, electronic learning resources (software), and technical support needed to support the activities in the curriculum and professional development sections.

The goal of this section is to describe the hardware, software, physical plant modifications, networking and telecommunications infrastructure, and technical support required at each school site and at other district sites to support the activities in the curriculum and professional development sections.

In the narrative describe the school site and district needs for each of the 5 components (hardware, software, physical plant modifications, networking and telecommunications infrastructure, and technical support). Please include details such as number of computers or licenses needed, number of electrical upgrades or Internet drops needed, or additional staffing needs. Please address each of the 5 components, if one of the components is sufficient to meet the needs of the technology plan, please explain that nothing is needed in that area to support the activities of the technology plan.

Guiding Questions

     Hardware

• What technologies will students, teachers, and administrators need to successfully implement the plan's goals and objectives?
• What emerging technologies could be used to implement the plan's goals and objectives?
• What additional technologies need to be acquired for underserved populations?

     Electronic Learning Resources (software)

• What electronic learning resources are needed to implement the curriculum and professional development sections for students, teachers, and administrators?
• What resources are needed for data analysis, management, student recordkeeping, and home-school communication? 

     Networking and Telecommunications Infrastructure    

• What infrastructure components are needed to implement the curriculum and professional development sections?
• What network improvements are needed to support this plan?
• How will E-rate discounts support the infrastructure, hardware, and electronic learning resource components?

     Physical Plant Modifications

• Is there sufficient electrical capacity and outlets to support the hardware and infrastructure planned for each site?
• Has the electrical system been evaluated and any necessary upgrades planned? 

     Technical Support

• How will technical support needs be addressed to ensure that the hardware, network, and peripherals function adequately and that problems are addressed within an acceptable response time?
• That is the target ratio of hardware to technical support personnel? 

Best Practice for E-rate: Technology plans for E-rate must include an assessment of the telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services that will be needed to improve education or library services.

Links and Resources