Developing a Technology Plan - by Brent Harshbarger http://www.prosoundweb.com/install/tfw/planning.php

We believe that administrators, teachers, staff and students should become proficient in the use of technology to further the mission of the Church and to spread the Gospel to all people.

We believe technology will assist us in creating a dynamic learning environment - one that links our schools, families, the community and the world. It is within this environment that life-long learning becomes the model for success.

We recognize that the world of the 21st century will require vision, investigation, reflection and collaboration. The use of evolving technologies will empower students to approach new challenges and will provide the critical processing skills and confidence necessary to be successful problem solvers. Our mission is for all members of our school communities to become self-directed, continuous learners and responsible citizens prepared to meet the increasing challenges of a global technological society.

We are committed to the ongoing development of an engaging, interdisciplinary learning environment rich in Christian values which embraces the use of technology to support the educational goals of the schools within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.

http://www.rcdaschools.org/techplan.htm

Church Media & Technology Resources
http://www.ccn.tv/ccnresources/technology.htm

Print and live events are just two ways that people learn and get information. A pastor has the attention of his congregation one to three hours each week while the average person consumes three to six hours of various types of content every day outside of work.

What is a pastor to do to cut through the noise?

Churches are now using new forms of technology to communicate with their leaders, members and community.

New gadgets and gizmos come out every day, but what do you actually need to help your church?
How do you lower costs, save time, and become more strategic with your church technology?

Basic Principles of Technology Planning
North Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium
http://www.ncrtec.org/capacity/guidewww/basic.htm

First United Church Of Pittsburg - A Ttechnology Plan - Adobe Acrobat

Developing an Accessible Technology Plan
http://www.microsoft.com/enable/business/plan.aspx?v=f

Although each organization is unique and has unique requirements, common steps are involved in developing a good accessible technology plan. Following is a proven five-step plan used in many technology development plans that has simply been applied to accessible technology. Many of the themes described here are based on the steps in Susan Conway's and Char Sligar's book Unlocking Knowledge Assets. (Conway, Sligar 2002).

Thinking through your strategy and requirements will reduce costs and increase efficiency—reducing false-starts, ensuring compatibility with existing technology, and accurately addressing your organization's unique situation and needs.

The five steps are:... link

Developing Effective Technology Plans
John See - Technology Integration Specialist - Minnesota Department of Education
http://www.nctp.com/john.see.html

This Isn’t Your Grandparents’ Church
By David E. Evans, AIA - Local

It used to be families attended one room church houses with musty basements for classrooms, no air conditioning and leaky roofs — a far cry from today’s worship facilities.

Now, churches are searching for creative ways to integrate spatial flexibility and hightech features in sound technology, theatrical lighting and projection with theater-style seating. Regardless of your church’s size, faith or demographic, creating a worship facility that supports its vision and ministries is the ultimate goal.

Why a Technology Plan? - By: Anna Mills
Source: TechSoup

A technology plan can sound like another piece of bureaucracy. Don't be fooled! There is no substitute for thinking through what you need and how you will meet those needs. Technology planning is the process that will help you save money on technology, buy what you need and use technology as a tool to accomplish your organization's mission.

Technology planning is the magic ingredient that will help you to: continued

What are the important issues involved with IT planning?
http://www.mediamagma.com/Non_profit_Technology_Plans.html

1. It is a process, not a solution.
2. Get senior management involved...
3. The committee should include members from all areas of the organization....
4. Define the organizational functions as well as goals.
5. Create a full long term plan. Keep tomorrow in mind as it will be here before you realize it.
6. Avoid all the bells and whistles.
7. Assess your staff's ability to use new technology. Include the necessary training that will make the programs pay for themselves.
8. Plan for the essential training. Training is also an ongoing process that should be included in the plan and in the budget. New ideas occur everyday. Take advantage of them for the sake of your mission.
9. Maintenance is a fact of life. Updates, virus protection,
10. Define your organizations goals and mission statement first.
11. Beware of gift horses. Some out dated equipment can cause a system to crash due to compatiblity issues.
l2. Use volunteers wisely. A volunteer can leave before the project is complete. They may not be as qualified as you may believe. Sometimes free help is no help at all.

A word to the church technology guy.
http://www.terrystorch.com/2004/09/a_word_to_the_c.html

GET OUT OF THE WAY.

I have an incredible opportunity to talk to many church technology pastors and leaders on a weekly basis and I have become overwhelmingly convinced that most mean well, but end up getting in the way of true ministry!