| The development of instructional technology plans has been an area of concern among school districts throughout Illinois. Previous research had not generally considered the components necessary to formulate an instructional technology plan. This study focused on three research questions related to the formation of a technology plan. What were the components of technology plans? Who was included in the technology planning process? What was the role of the school library media specialist in developing and implementing a technology plan?;The major findings of this study included the following points: (a) staff development for technology must be considered by the technology planning team, including how to find the time and resources necessary for the success of the program; (b) ongoing revision of the technology plan must be considered when developing a technology plan or the plan will not be able to keep up with changes in technology; (c) access to technology for both teachers and students is a factor in the implementation of a technology plan; (d) the development of a support structure for technology is a factor in the implementation of a technology plan; (e) at a minimum, the technology planning team should include representation from administration, teaching staff, and school library media specialists; and (f) lighthouse technology schools were more likely to have high quality school library media programs, as measured on Loertscher's Taxonomy of School Library Media Programs, than other schools.;These findings served as the basis for conclusions drawn from this study. In addition, recommendations for educators involved in the technology planning process and recommendations for further research are based on these findings.;This descriptive study analyzed the technology plans and interviewed administrators and school library media specialists from twenty schools with "lighthouse" technology programs. The study also surveyed twenty-four school library media specialists from non-lighthouse schools to provide comparative data with the school library media specialists from the lighthouse technology schools. |
