IT Sustainability:IT Sustainability:Can we afford to have Can we afford to have technology in schools?technology in schools?Can we afford not to?Can we afford not to?

Presented by: Peter FujiwaraPresented by: Peter Fujiwara

Presentation Presentation ObjectivesObjectives Setting the stage…Setting the stage…

– Is IT important? Why?Is IT important? Why?– Our history of IT in educationOur history of IT in education– The erosion of quality – why?The erosion of quality – why?

Sustainability…Sustainability…– Characteristics of sustainabilityCharacteristics of sustainability– Do we have these characteristics in Do we have these characteristics in

our district?our district?

Presentation Presentation ObjectivesObjectives Is there hope or despair?Is there hope or despair?

– What are the problems?What are the problems?– Are there solutions?Are there solutions?

What can I do?What can I do?– As a teacherAs a teacher– As an IT leaderAs an IT leader– As an administratorAs an administrator

Setting the Stage…Setting the Stage…

Is IT important?Is IT important?– Where do we see IT?Where do we see IT?– Do our students use Do our students use

IT?IT?– Will they need to Will they need to

understand IT in the understand IT in the future?future?

– Is IT just a tool?Is IT just a tool?

Setting the Stage…Setting the Stage…

Our history of IT Our history of IT in educationin education– As a subjectAs a subject– As a subject in As a subject in

many areasmany areas– As a tool?As a tool?– As an integrated, As an integrated,

mediummedium

Setting the Stage…Setting the Stage…

Erosion of QualityErosion of Quality– Increasing Increasing

demandsdemands– Decreasing Decreasing

budgetsbudgets– Reduced lifecyclesReduced lifecycles– Lack of trainingLack of training– Lack of planningLack of planning– Lack of Lack of

sustainabilitysustainability

SustainabilitySustainability

Characteristics of IT SustainabilityCharacteristics of IT Sustainability– A clearly articulated vision linked to A clearly articulated vision linked to

mission (currency, access, equity)mission (currency, access, equity)– A strategic plan based on mission A strategic plan based on mission

outcomes outcomes – Funding based on operational not capitalFunding based on operational not capital– Assessment metrics in place to determine Assessment metrics in place to determine

successsuccess– Human resource sustainability – do you Human resource sustainability – do you

reward your people for workreward your people for work

SustainabilitySustainability

Do we have these characteristics in our Do we have these characteristics in our district?district?– Does your IT budget vary from year to year?Does your IT budget vary from year to year?– Can you state what the vision is for your Can you state what the vision is for your

district with regard to IT?district with regard to IT?– Do your school computers function 90% of the Do your school computers function 90% of the

time?time?– Do you know when your next hardware Do you know when your next hardware

refresh is? refresh is? – Are you using the latest software?Are you using the latest software?– Is the training your teachers receive built Is the training your teachers receive built

upon year after year?upon year after year?– Do you reward your staff for work well done or Do you reward your staff for work well done or

extra work performed?extra work performed?

Is there hope or Is there hope or despair?despair? What are the What are the

problems?problems?– Fundamental Fundamental

funding funding issuesissues

– What would What would happen to happen to the IT budget the IT budget given 4% given 4% teacher raise teacher raise in salary?in salary?

Is there hope or Is there hope or despair?despair? What are the problems?What are the problems?

– Traditional models of IT Traditional models of IT implementation (all capital implementation (all capital expenditures)expenditures)

– Traditional models of support, Traditional models of support, maintenance and trainingmaintenance and training

– No value placed on the goals of IT in No value placed on the goals of IT in education – is it important just to education – is it important just to have IT or to effectively use IThave IT or to effectively use IT

Is there hope or Is there hope or despair?despair? Potential SolutionsPotential Solutions

– Shift in philosophy – understanding Shift in philosophy – understanding that private sector paradigms don’t that private sector paradigms don’t work in the public sectorwork in the public sector

– Understanding of sustainability – funds Understanding of sustainability – funds spent today should build on tomorrowspent today should build on tomorrow

– Funding model that works – determine Funding model that works – determine the benefit of education with IT and the benefit of education with IT and fund effective implementation fund effective implementation appropriatelyappropriately

Some examples, some Some examples, some thoughtsthoughts

Windows 2000 ServerWindows 2000 Server Microsoft School LicensingMicrosoft School Licensing SMS, ANATSMS, ANAT Linux?Linux? A Cellular model….A Cellular model…. Reward your peopleReward your people