Last year, the district purchased 1,500 computers. More than 300 computers will be purchased in early 1998 in preparation for the opening of Gulf Coast High in August. If you move too fast, you ll just have this enormous amount of technology sitting around, not being used. For that reason, the district purposely made sure its technology plan included a cycle of training, followed by a cycle of purchasing and so on. While the technology plan is complete, the nuts and bolts of implementation are still in full swing.
Cable needs to be laid, PCs purchased, networks created and myriad other details completed.
And, after technology is in place, more staff and student training will take place. The next 12 months will provide a roller coaster ride of problems to be solved and work orders to be completed. It s bound to be a wild ride. Steve Hymon is a California-based freelance writer. Advertising Information Copyright 1998 by Peter Li Education Group.