This is a sample dissertation defense outline from my doctoral work at Northern Illinois University in 1997 in Instructional Technology. My dissertation went on to become a technology planning book in two editions.

1. The Technology Planning
Process and the School Library
Media Specialist
by
Steven M. Baule
Northern Illinois University

2. Who to Include in the
Technology Planning Process
• Administrators
• SLMSs and other specialists
• Classroom teachers

3. Technology and Education
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96% of schools have computers
68% of all college educated workers use computers
46% of the entire work force use computers
The ISBE is evaluating technology plans for grant
eligibility
• Goals 2000 legislation is asking for state technology
plans
• ILA has created a technology task force Technology
and Libraries
• The American Library Association is concerned that
the ability of librarians to serve their patrons
effectively due to under-utilization of technology

4. Reasons to Use Instructional
Technology
• Graduates must be proficient in using
technology
• Opportunities for meaningful work
• Comfort level with tools of the
Information Age
• Increase school productivity and
efficiency

5. Problem Statement
• Schools are uncertain how to plan and
implement instructional technologies

6. Purpose of the Study
• The purpose of this study was to draw
conclusions as to prevailing best practices
for technology planning in schools.

7. Research Questions
• What were the common 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?

8. Review of the Literature
• Little had been published in this area
• No hard research has been published
• Most of the literature base is
philosophical in nature

9. Technology Plan Components
in the Literature
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Staff Development
On-going Revision
Vision and goals
Other points
Who to Include in the Literature
– All stakeholders
– Administrators
– Classroom teachers

10. Role of the SLMS in the
Literature
• SLMS literature stated need for
technology involvement
• Other literature was nearly silent

11. Composition of the Sample
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Lighthouse Technology Grant recipients
Six additional school districts
ISLMANET group as a baseline
2.2% of Illinois School Districts
1% of Illinois SLMSs

12. Data Collection
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Collected 16 Technology Plans
Analysis based on criteria from the literature
Noted similarities and differences
Interviewed participants
Administrative interviews
SLMS interviews
ISLMANET Questionnaire

13. Components of a Technology
Plan
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Staff development
On-going revision
Specific goals and objectives
Access to technology
Support services for technology

14. Role of the SLMS
• Develop a high quality SLM program
• Participate within the technology
planning process

15. Conclusions
• Access was important to the development
of technology
• A staff development plan must be
included
• On-going revision was important
• Make-up of the planning team
• Role of the SLMS was to develop a high
quality SLM program

16. Recommendations for
Educators
• Access to technology needs to be a key issue
• Staff development is important
• Choose an administrator to lead the planning
team
• Solicit input from as wide a base as possible
• Revise the plan on a regular basis
• Develop a high quality SLM program

17. Recommendations for
Researchers
• Determine necessary levels of access
• Components of a technology support
structure
• Replicate the study
• Classroom teacher viewpoint
• Experimental study
• Further study of the SLMS