Educational Technology Guidelines: Designing and Maintaining Instructional Technology Systems

Educational Technology Guidelines: Designing and Maintaining Instructional Technology Systems provide key information to transition technology seamlessly into teaching, learning, and school management. These guidelines are now available in PDF format for school divisions and can be accessed from the Department's Web page at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Technology/OET/edtech_guidelines.pdf.

Because technological considerations vary with the purpose and audience, the design and maintenance of a technology integration plan necessitate a systems approach. As a result, this document addresses the specific concerns of instructional systems managers at different levels of technology integration and across the learning communitystate, division, building, and classroom.

The SOL Technology Initiative Architectural Guidelines for High School Readiness (2001) provided guidelines for school divisions and high schools to participate in the Web-based Standards of Learning (SOL) Technology Initiative. The Educational Technology Guidelines: Designing and Maintaining Instructional Technology Systems expands the scope of guidance beyond school participation in the Web-based SOL Technology Initiative to encompass the integration of technology into instruction and school operations.

Guidelines that provide specific information on the technology requirements for online testing and directions for completing the School Readiness Certification process are being developed and will be communicated to school divisions via Superintendent's Memo. Additional information about these guidelines is available at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Assessment/Online/. Any school that has achieved School Readiness Certification under the SOL Technology Initiative Architectural Guidelines for High School Readiness (2001) will retain its certification status. Additionally, any school that has started the School Readiness Certification process will be permitted to continue the process under the SOL Technology Initiative Architectural Guidelines for High School Readiness (2001). Once guidelines on the School Readiness Certification process are available, all schools starting the School Readiness Certification process will adhere to the specific guidance provided in those guidelines.

Questions about the use of the Educational Technology Guidelines: Designing and Maintaining Instructional Technology Systems to integrate technology into instruction and school operations should be directed to Mark Saunders, educational technology specialist, at (804) 786-0307 or e-mail at mark.saunders@doe.virginia.gov. Questions about the development of guidelines relating to the School Readiness Certification process should be directed to the Office of Test Administration, Scoring, and Reporting at (804) 225-2107 or e-mail at student_assessment@doe.virginia.gov.

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