Internal policies and procedures Essay

Technology is a significant facet of district operations. Technology affects performance through enabling the citizens to access as well as analyze information, resolve problems, work in partnership with others, and successfully communicate their thoughts and information. People make use of technology as an instrument to support in administrative duties. Technology in information systems is needed to provide appropriate information to efficiently manage the district’s assets and make knowledgeable decisions. Only copyrighted materials are put through restrictions within a Policy Statement. Materials that are not copyrighted may be copied unreservedly and without limit. Copyrighted software and patented hardware may be copied devoid of copyright owner’s consent only in proportion to the Copyright Act that permits making an archival back-up duplicate. However, most software is licensed to a user and the terms of a license agreement may provide the user consent to create copies of the software beyond the archival copy allowed by the Copyright Act. Software license agreements and patented hardware are unique and consequently, the rights of the user to copy licensed software further than that endorsed under the Copyright Act may simply be verified by means of reading the user’s license agreement (Wesier, 77). Any reproduction or copying of copyrighted software on a system or constituent computing equipment must be in line with the Copyright Act and the related software license conformity. Educational institutions may not utilize unauthorized copies of software on system or component institution-owned networks or computers housed in a system or component institution facilities. In view of the fact that software companies are worried by the soaring rate of plagiarism and piracy of their programs, studies for probable violations can be anticipated. While software corporations may not possibly find it lucrative to file suit against an individual for violation, it definitely would not be reserved from filing suit against Universities. Additionally, companies may need to convey suits against people to put off future impending pirates. Software companies could also proscribe University’s use of their software packages. Consequently, University employees who make use of these software materials have a responsibility to avert use of copyrighted materials and to utilize the software barely in accordance with licensing agreements. EVALUATION OF CURRENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF ALACHUA COUNTY The Alachua County has cost-efficiently purchased new technology, maintains a reliable technology infrastructure given obtainable resources, have instituted policies and moral standards for using technology, and has good controls to guarantee appropriate access and make use of the district’s information systems. In 2001, the district’s technology departments were pooled into one inclusive department – Administrative and Instructional Technology Department. The amalgamation took place when the directors comprehended that both departments had overlying duties as well as consolidation into one department would augment overall effectiveness. To utilize the remaining best practice principles and guarantee the performance, competence, and efficacy of its softwares and hardwares, the district have to regularly modernize and monitor its technology arrangement, make the training processes official related to technology, regulate budget allowances within obtainable funding, utilize the work order structure to develop the delivery of support, develop the use of technology to progress communications, and institute procedures for analyzing technology services and purchases. Along with the district’s District Technology Plan (2001-2006), the Alachua County currently make use of computers for instruction in general areas: schools curriculum support, technology literacy, as well as communication. All districts have computer committees that provide direction for the function of technology within the instructional procedure and the acquisition of hardware/software. Every district selects and purchases its computer software in accordance with its needs. The constituency sets common direction and provides supervision to guarantee the quality and compatibility of instructional materials. The Technology and Information Services Department supervises technology in Alachua County schools, counting central processing unit and support of services, finance, human resources, and facilities functions. In that structure, the department addresses all issues related to both instructional and technology administrative, as well as the local area networks at each school and district. The staffs support other areas of technology at schools and districts, and assists in using technology. However, the county’s technology plan does not provide sufficient direction for instructional and administrative technology decision-making. Planning is the means to a well-delivered and well-implemented information system. Efficient planning helps guarantee that district information system meets the instructional needs of the people and the administrative needs of decision makers, including schools, hospitals and other organizations and agencies. An effectual planning procedure identifies the technology necessities of users, develops strategies to obtain needed technology in a lucrative manner, and identifies accessible funds required for acquisitions. To ensure that all critical needs are identified, the planning process should comprise an extensive range of stakeholder participation. The decisions made throughout the planning process must be in writing and the resulting plan has to guide technology-related policymaking as well as acquisitions.