Make the Case to the Community

When community members ask, “Why should schools invest in technology?” be ready to explain and demonstrate the essential role educational technology plays in preparing young people for work and citizenship in the 21st century. Community support for school technology initiatives is essential. Use the tools below to make a strong case for educational technology to this important audience.

NOTE: Where indicated, resource files are in PDF format (view PDF instructions).

Starter Kits

Use this collection of targeted strategies, nuggets of research data, and talking points to make the case to the community.

Tools for Making the Case to the Community

(PDF, 160 KB, 25 seconds)
From parents, to members of the PTA, to civic groups, to voters, community support for school technology initiatives is essential. Use this starter kit to elist the support of your community.

Use these research reports, articles, presentations, video case studies, and resource links to make the case for educational technology.

2004 Leadership Symposium Onsite PowerPoint Presentation

(PDF, 277 KB, 44 seconds)
This PowerPoint presentation outlines the charge of the day from the 2004 ISTE Leadership Symposium at NECC.

A Computer for Every Lap: Maine's Successful Laptop Initiative

(PDF, 22 KB, 4 seconds)
A descriptive article from The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) shows how a forward-looking governor, working within the constraints of state politics, provided every seventh grader in the state of Maine with a laptop computer.
Copyright © 2004 The George Lucas Educational Foundation, all rights reserved. Printed with permission. http://www.glef.org

A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Teaching and Learning with Technology on Student Outcomes

http://www.ncrel.org/tech/effects2/
A Learning Point Associates report describes a quantitative analysis of the effects of teaching and learning with technology The study shows that teaching and learning with technology had a statistically significant positive effect on student learning.

A Vision of E-Learning for America’s Workforce

(PDF, 810 KB, 2 minutes 6 seconds)
In this George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) article, the Commission on Technology and Adult Learning recommends that U.S. governors and CEOs recognize the benefits of e-learning, and promote e-learning for the success of both workers and companies in the new digital economy of the 21st century.
Copyright © 2001, ASTD (American Society of Training Directors) and NGA (National Governors Association). Used with permission.

Assistive Technology for Young Children in Special Ed

(PDF, 23 KB, 4 seconds)
This article from The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) shows how tech-nology is being used to level the playing field for students with mobility, hearing, or vision impairments, as well as for individuals with limitations in cognition and perception.
Copyright © 1998 The George Lucas Educational Foundation, all rights reserved. Printed with permission. http://www.glef.org This article is excerpted from Assistive Technology for Young Children in Special Education by Michael Behrmann, Alexandria, Virginia: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Copyright © 1998, ASCD. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Beliefs, Practices and Computer Use of Teacher Leaders

(PDF, 309 KB, 49 seconds)
This study analyzes qualities of teachers and groups them by different levels of professional engagement. Researchers termed the teachers at the highest level of engagement “Teacher Leaders” and identified key practices used by this group, including a high amount of computer use in their classrooms.
Copyright © 2000 Center for Research on Information Technology and Organizations; University of California, Irvine and the University of Minnesota. Used with permission

Center for Applied Research in Education Technology (CARET)

http://caret.iste.org/
CARET bridges education technology research to practice by offering research-based answers to critical questions. Browse Questions & Answers to learn what studies show about topics such as student learning, curriculum and instruction, and professional development.

Does it Compute? The Relationship Between Educational Technology and Student Achievement in Mathematics

(PDF, 766 KB, 2 minutes)
A report published by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), presents evidence for the efficacy of educational technology, using data from the 1996 National Assessment of Educational Progress.
Copyright © 1998, Educational Testing Service (ETS), http://www.ets.org/. Used with permission.

Five School Districts' Experiences Financing Technology Programs

(PDF, 364 KB, 57 seconds)
This article reports testimony given before a task force on education in the United States Senate. It explains how five districts made funding decisions about educational technology, and describes their processes for goal-setting, identifying and overcoming barriers, and planning for sustainability.

Highlights from NetDay’s National Report on Speak Up Day 2003

http://www.netday.org/speakupday2003_report.htm
This summary report highlights major findings from NetDay’s Speak Up Day 2003, where 210,000 K-12 students submitted surveys on technology and education. Analysis shows that today’s students feel strongly about the value of technology, and rely on technology as an essential and preferred component of every aspect of their lives.

Making the Case for Making the Case (PDF)

New Technologies Link Ancient Cultures

http://www.glef.org/php/article.php?id=Art_979&key=137
This is a link to an article and companion video on The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) Website. The First People’s Project enables indigenous students on five continents to share the wisdom of their respective cultures. You will need QuickTime to view the video.

Practical Guide to Promoting America’s Public Schools

http://www.learningfirst.org/lfa-web/rp?pa=doc&docId=72
Prepared by the Learning First Alliance, a permanent partnership of 12 leading U.S. education associations, this advocacy resource is intended to assist educators and others interested in education to promote the value of public education to our nation.
(Requires free registration)

Schools as Hubs of Technology

http://www.glef.org/php/article.php?id=Art_643&key=137
This is a link to an article and companion video on The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) Website. It describes how and why schools in West Des Moines, Iowa provided community members access to information technology and distance learning. You will need QuickTime to view the video.

Sharing Research Through Multimedia

http://www.glef.org/php/article.php?id=Art_633&key=137
This is a link to an article and companion video on The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) Website. Learn how multimedia tools give students new ways to express themselves and share what they know. You will need QuickTime to view the video.

The Maine Event

http://www.glef.org/php/article.php?id=Art_1119&key=137
This is a link to an article and companion video on The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) Website. It shows that Maine's middle school laptop program is working. You will need QuickTime to view the video.

United Learning – Research Finding that Video Streaming Improved Achievement in VA

(PDF, 214 KB, 34 seconds)
This quantitative study analyzes the effect of using standards-based science and social studies video content on student learning. Researchers found significant gains in student performance when video technology was used.

More Information

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