In
2003 and 2004, NetDay surveyed students around the country
about their technology use. Through multiple-choice and open-ended
questions, 310,000 of you told us what you think about school
technology. We learned one important thing: students have
ideas about technology and they want to share those ideas
with the people who make decisions at their schools and in
their communities.
The other How-to Guides in this section focus on specific
issues, such as How-to Start a Laptop Lending Program or
How-to Plan a Student-Technology Showcase. Be sure to check
the list for a How-to that works for you. Or, maybe you have
your own ideas that are unique to your school. If that is
the case, try out this How-Guide – it will help you
take action on your best ideas.
This How-to Guide will help you develop a proposal to share
your idea with your school or community. We’ve started
some of the work for you, but you need to take it from here.
Make it work for you!
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Problem and Proposal 
What is your problem? What is your proposal?
Some examples:
| Problem: |
I would really like
to use the technology at school but there’s
not enough time in the day. |
| Proposal: |
Start a laptop lending program at our school. |
| Problem: |
There are things I wish teachers
knew about how I use technology. |
| Proposal: |
Plan a student showcase night where
students show teachers their ideas for uses of
technology for school use. |
| Problem: |
Internet filters are so frustrating!
They keep students out of quality sites, don't
always block inappropriate material, and disrupt
our research. |
| Proposal: |
Set up an ongoing discussion about
the pros and cons of Internet filters with students
and adults in my community. |
Print out this worksheet to collect your ideas and
your research for your action proposal. |
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Rationale
What reasons support your goal? Good examples might
include:
- Reasons that show how the proposal will improve
student learning
- Reasons that show how the proposal will improve
student test scores
- Reasons that show how the proposal makes more
opportunities for more students
- Reasons that show how the proposal helps teachers
make better use of technology
- Reasons that show how the proposal helps prepare
students for college or the workforce
What is your school's technology plan? Can you
show how your idea supports your school or district’s
plan for technology?
Read about school technology plans.
|
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Research
Find examples:
Are there any organizations that can help you? How
have other schools approached this problem? Researching
other schools' successes can give you new ideas and
help you refine your own ideas.
Try browsing or searching for your topic in the Student
Voices Resource Center:
Find news articles and Resources.
Browse the SVRC Success
Stories for
advice from the student community.
Collect data:
What data can you collect from your own student community
to support your idea? If you can, organize a student
and/or teacher poll to find out the strength of interest
in your proposal.
Browse for Resources and articles
about planning research projects. |
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Obstacles
What other issues do you need to consider? Have you thought about funding? Training?
Maintenance?
Read about issues to consider when suggesting change.
|
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Details of your
proposal
What is your proposal? Now that you’ve identified
your goals and completed your research, write a summary
of your proposal. Write about any details you've
figured out. Then write about any issues or obstacles
even if you haven't figured out the solution yet. |
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Support
Think about groups and individuals who would be willing
to support your idea. Some examples may include individual
teachers, student clubs, your school’s PTA, the
student government, service clubs, and local business
groups. Try to think of a group that would have an interest
in volunteering some time to help you organize or support
your proposal.
Share your research and your proposal and see if these
groups are willing to support you as a volunteer, a
mentor, or even just adding their word of support to
your proposal. |
 |
Make a presentation
A successful presentation summarizes your proposal, your rationale, and your
research. This is what you are going to use to convince the decision-makers to
support you.
Review the worksheet of what should be in your
action proposal.
See
an example of an Action Proposal presentation. |
 |
Set up a meeting
Write a letter, make a phone call, or send an email
to set up a meeting with decision-makers to present
your idea. Your letter should include an introduction
of your proposal and a polite request for a time when
you can share your idea. Explain that you have a well-researched
proposal and have a presentation to share with them.
Who makes decisions related to your proposal?
Read a who’s who of school decision makers. |
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Present Your Action
Proposal: This is your chance you use your
best manners. Remember, you want to be convincing and
likeable. If you’ve followed the steps in this
guide, you are prepared with good research and support
for your ideas. Your job now is to present your proposal
and gain support from decision-makers. |
Have you had success with being involved in planning for new equipment
at your school? Please submit your Success
Story or email
any feedback about this module to
SVRCStaff@netday.org.
You are a star! |
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