Technology

Technology Personnel

• Mr. Matt Caratachea, Coordinator of Technology Integration & Innovation (1:1 Program, Instructional Technology, Webmaster)
• Mr. Peter Martin, Director of Technology (networking, device management, infrastructure)

The Goochland County Public Schools use a dual leadership model for technology. The instructional side of technology is managed by Mr. Caratachea; the technical side of the department is managed by Mr. Martin.

Division-wide Technology Staff

• Mr. Mike Arrighi, Technical Support Specialist (Macintosh and Mobile Device Repair)
• Mr. Sean Campbell, PowerSchool and Data Analytics (PowerSchool, state reporting, testing)
• Ms. Andrea Burton, Middle School Technology Coach (ITC)
• Mr. Ryan Jones, Technical Services Associate
• Ms. Krystle Demas, Elementary Technology Coach (ITC)
• Ms. Catherine Richards, High School Technology Coach (ITC)
• Ms. Morgan McMullin, Byrd Elementary Technology Coach (ITC)
• Ms. Ginni Nichols, School-based technician
• Mr. Henry Pace, Technical Services Associate

 

On 29 March 2018, we were named one of the top ten districts supporting digital education. Read more here about this recognition!

Introduction

Goochland County Schools is a system with about 2500 students and a computer base of well over 2500 devices for use by students and staff. This is an outstanding ratio which is clearly apparent in the unique diversity of programs and services we offer our students. Goochland’s technology department has been responsible for a number of successful initiatives, including wireless access in all schools (2001), laptops for all teachers (2001-2002), teacher blogging initiative (2005), G21 Framework for Project-Based Learning (2008), use of mobile devices in classrooms with iPod Touch and iPads (2010), and our 1:1 initiative (2013-14).

All Goochland schools were among the first in Virginia to become certified by the state for administration of the eSOL assessments–given electronically using our in-school labs and wireless carts.

GCPS Technology Plan with Link

Goochland’s 2010-2016 technology plan is our roadmap for the future. Goochland has consulted with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and vendors to help us provide for the needs of teaching and learning in the 21st century. The 2010 document was updated on April 23, 2013, then it was updated again in December, 2015, as part of a one-year addendum required by the Virginia Department of Education.

iPad Pilot and Innovation

In order to realize our goals associated with deeper learning, we realized that we wanted to gain the benefits for our students associated with 1:1 computing. Putting a computing device in the hands of each student means they have anytime access to questions with access to the Internet, a dedicated digital agenda, and access to a number of innovative apps for learning new skills and practicing mastery of others.

Goochland is currently using iPad tablets with its 1:1 program in grades 4-7 across the division. In addition, we chose Goochland Elementary as a pilot school for the 2013-14 school year and continue to deploy iPads to students in grades 3-5 at this school.

We plan to expand the program each year according to the following schedule:

• SY 2014-15 Grades 5-6 plus GES 3-5
• SY 2015-16 Grades 4-7 plus GES 3-5
• SY 2016-17 Grades 3-8 division wide
• SY 2017-18 Grades 1-12 division wide

G21

The G21 Framework is a way to organize instruction with a student-centered, project-based focus. Since 2008, Goochland has been using this framework in preK-12 classrooms at least once each year to provide learning opportunities enriched with twenty-first century skills and technology use. We recognize teachers each August for superlative G21 projects undertaken with students with the G21 Faire.

To learn more about G21, visit our dedicated G21 webpage.

Digital Citizenship and Internet Safety

Internet safety has been an important part of our role as educators for a number of years. In the fall of 2007, our school board approved a new acceptable use policy (AUP) which specifically details our internet safety program (cited as “online safety”) including specific, new policies regarding measures to be used to maintain a safe, online environment within our school division.

Our AUP document is signed by each staff member, guest, and student (or their parent/guardian) before they are permitted to use our computer system.

The teaching of Internet Safety is important, too. Since the 2006-07 school year, teachers have received specific training covering all aspects of Internet Safety instruction, including cyberbullying, passwords and security, and online communications. New, emerging details in these areas are regularly communicated through blog posts by Goochland’s supervisor of instructional technology and library media specialists. Lead teachers in each school have chosen Goochland-created lessons relating to all aspects of internet safety and have included these resources in curriculum pacing guides in all grade levels, K-12.

Each year, our classroom teachers, including non-core area teachers, are required to teach at least one unit or lesson on Internet Safety. This is one way our division remains compliant with the Virginia Department of Education’s mandate for a quality internet safety instruction program for each school division within the commonwealth.

Schoology

Schoology is our learning management system to assist with blended learning approaches, our 1:1 program, and to offer virtual courses. Parents can visit the Schoology website and signup for a free account to access their child’s courses. Teachers can share with parents the codes to access their child’s areas within the system. Beginning in SY 2015-16, graded assignments in Schoology will appear in PowerSchool.

Google Apps for Education

Goochland currently uses Google Apps for Education in grades 3-12 and with staff. This program provides free access to Google’s core productivity apps including Google Drive. Only students at the high school get access to Google’s mail, Gmail.