Most of us spend a considerable amount of time preparing for the start of school. We design bulletin boards, handouts, newsletters, lesson plans and opening-day icebreakers. But don’t forget another important task: a “technology inventory.” The start of the year is a good time to consider what equipment you have on hand, what you may need to obtain, your classroom protocols related to technology and what technology projects you’d like to pursue.

Here is a framework for doing your own inventory:

Find out what devices and platforms students can access at your school. Are there class sets of iPads or laptops on hand? What software and app subscriptions does your school have — and do you have the login information? Can classroom teachers book time in a computer lab? Do you have any computers in your classroom, and are they all working? This year, as a result of the new cellphone ban, most students will not be able to use their personal devices, so you’ll need to factor that change into your planning.

If you’re new to your school and the answers to these questions are not readily available, check in with a technology specialist, an administrator or a tech-minded teacher. You can also go to the DOE Division of Information and Instructional Technology’s Help Desk, which has a chatbot, for help, a list of preloaded software and apps on DOE devices, and more.

Request purchases or find alternate routes to obtain equipment. Orders made through the DOE usually take some time to be delivered, so get your technology requests in early. If your school has neither the technology equipment you need nor the budget to purchase it, you may want to seek outside funding. Apply well ahead of time for grants and financial help. The Grants, Awards and Freebies section of the UFT website lists organizations that can help support technology purchases.

Plan technology projects along with your curriculum. What units of study will you teach? How could technology enhance or extend student learning? What forms of technology would be well-suited for these projects? Could some of the projects you regularly assign become technology-based? Think ahead and consider what tools, hardware and/or subscriptions you would need to bring your ideas to fruition.

Establish tech rules for students. The beginning of the school year is the time to set expectations for handling devices with care, checking out devices, staying on task, and listening to cues and instructions. Disseminate these rules through a handout or email, or display them clearly in the classroom. Check the DOE’s Digital Citizenship page for guidelines about acceptable student technology and internet use.

Consider alternate classroom seating configurations to better observe students at work on devices. And remember to model appropriate use of technology yourself, too.

Look for support to further your skills. Are you considering a technology project but are unsure of the best way to proceed? The sooner you ask for help, the more time you will have to hone your own knowledge and gain confidence. Seek out someone to guide you — a colleague, a supervisor, a coach, a tech support staff member, maybe even a student. If you don’t have someone at your school who can give you advice, consider watching how-to videos or pursuing support in online personal learning networks.