HEB ISD School & Family Magazine Spring 2018 | Page 12

District Technology Study The Technology department recently completed an Evaluation, Improvement, and Innovation (EII) study of the district’s technology equipment, software, and processes. With the help of Chief Quality Officer Brooks Williams, the department focused on developing a new technology vision, philosophy, and plan that will carry the district forward. Methodology The EII study consists of 5 steps: 1. Complete a Program Charter to establish the boundaries of the study and determine the goal or outcomes of the study. 2. Conduct environment scan to establish the process and procedures of the program as well as best practices from other similar programs that are highly successful. 3. Capture the Voice of the Customer (VOC) – the VOC is an in- depth process to obtain the customer’s or end users’ expectations, preferences and aversions. 4. Use a Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) Tree Tool to determine key measurable characteristics of products or processes whose performance standards or specification limits that must be met in order to satisfy the customer. 5. Provide Recommendations. Results The Technology department established a new guiding vision: Assured Technology for Student Success The department’s mission is to ensure there are enough devices for students to have access to technology when needed, the technology tools provided are appropriate for their job, and all equipment is working or repaired in a timely manner. The study’s recommendations included specific process changes and philosophical priorities: • Align technology to meet the needs of curriculum and instruction • Assure student access to appropriate technology, as needed • Purchase devices at a price point which allows for a replacement cycle commensurate to ongoing changes in technology • Support a wider array of devices to meet the needs of the end user • Increase the number of student devices to achieve a 1.3:1 student to device ratio • Utilize Chromebooks in lieu of laptops and laptops in lieu of desktops, where applicable • Untether teachers from the desktop • Gather and utilize end user input on technology solutions • Implement a single sign-on solution • Implement Google Classroom • Provide appropriate support in the areas of training, hardware maintenance, and curriculum alignment. 10