Technology Integration
HOW WE BRING LEARNING TO LIFE:
OUR VISION
The UCSD Technology program will bring learning to life for all by prioritizing student achievement and implementing responsive, integrated solutions to foster innovation and empower success.
OUR MINDSETS…
- Equity-Focused: Committed to ensuring all students have equal access to technology and learning opportunities.
- Learner-Centered: Prioritizing personalized learning and collaboration to meet the diverse needs of every student.
- Purposeful Engagement: Integrate technology that engages students in hands-on, interactive learning, moving away from passive use toward activities that promote critical thinking and collaboration, in line with national standards.
- Innovation-Driven: Embracing continuous improvement and integration of technology to enhance teaching and streamline processes.
- Supportive Growth: Valuing ongoing professional development for educators and maintaining strong technical support systems.
- Future-Oriented: Preparing students for success in a digital world through digital literacy and adaptable, forward-thinking strategies.
Strategic Objectives and Actions for Technology Use
Aligning Technology with Educational Goals
Integrating technology into the curriculum is essential for fostering an engaging and effective learning environment. By aligning technological tools with our educational goals, we aim to enhance student learning outcomes, promote critical thinking, and prepare students for the demands of the 21st century. This section outlines our strategic approach to seamlessly incorporate technology in support of our academic objectives and instructional practices.
Instructional Technology Framework
Urbandale Community School District uses a district-developed EdTech Evaluation Rubric to guide the adoption and use of instructional technology tools and platforms. This rubric was created by the Technology Integration Leadership Team (2025) to provide a practical and research-informed framework for evaluating how technology supports teaching and learning across PreK–12 classrooms.
The rubric draws from multiple national resources, including the LearnPlatform by Instructure Research-Based Rubric (2022), the ISTE Teacher Ready EdTech Product Evaluation Guide (2023), and the 5D+ Rubric for Instructional Growth and Teacher Evaluation (2012, 2016). By blending national best practices with UCSD’s instructional priorities, the rubric ensures that technology decisions align with the district’s vision for high-quality teaching and student-centered learning.
The UCSD EdTech Evaluation Rubric includes seven key areas:
- Ease of Use & Navigation
- Quality of Features & Accessibility
- Quality of Content & Alignment with Learning Objectives
- Learning Design & Digital Pedagogy
- Impact on Student Learning & Engagement
- Instructional Impact & Data-Informed Teaching
- Professional Development & Support Resources
Instructional Technology Model
The SAMR model (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition) outlines how technology is used in the classroom and how it can support teaching and learning. The SAMR Model is a four level model designed to help educators determine how technology will be used in the classroom to improve learning outcomes. Through the use of SAMR, UCSD can ensure that technology integration is purposeful and enhances the learning experience, rather than using technology for its own sake. By utilizing the SAMR model, teachers in the district can create a more dynamic, engaging, and effective educational environment.
Instructional Screen Time Guidance
UCSD PreK-12 Technology Integration Plan