The 10 Zens of Technology Planning

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A practical philosophy outlining ten guiding principles to help schools make intentional, sustainable technology decisions in 2026.

Your principal has just asked you to help create a school based technology plan. You are equal parts excited and terrified.

Where do you start?

Do we go one to one with laptops or tablets? Chromebooks or Windows devices? Should we invest in interactive displays, learning management systems, AI tutoring tools, cybersecurity software—or all of the above? And just as important: how on earth are we paying for this?

Before budgets, vendors, and devices take over the conversation, pause.

Effective technology planning is not about chasing shiny tools. It is about intentional decision making, instructional focus, sustainability, and people. With that spirit in mind, I offer The 10 Zens of Technology Planning—a practical framework for schools navigating technology decisions in 2026.

Zen 1: Build a Committee with Diverse Stakeholders

Technology decisions affect everyone, so everyone should have a voice.

Create a committee that represents varied instructional, operational, and learner perspectives. This should include:

• A Special Education teacher
• An English Language Learner (ELL) specialist
• Math and Science teachers
• A humanities or arts teacher
• An administrator
• Technology support staff
• When appropriate, student and family representation

Diversity in this group prevents tunnel vision and ensures the plan serves all learners, not just the loudest voices or newest initiatives.

Zen 2: Conduct a Hardware and Instructional Needs Inventory

An inventory is more than a spreadsheet of devices.

Hardware Inventory

Document:

• Device age and specifications
• Battery health and repair history
• Network readiness and charging capacity
• Peripherals (cameras, microphones, displays)

Instructional Needs Inventory

Ask deeper questions:

• What learning experiences do we want students to have?
• What tasks should technology support—creation, collaboration, assessment, accessibility?
• Where are teachers currently limited?

Technology should respond to instructional need—not the other way around.

Zen 3: Define Three Five Year Milestones

Long term planning creates coherence and protects against impulse buying.

Ask the committee:

“In five years, what three technology milestones must we achieve for teaching and learning to meaningfully improve?”

Examples might include:

• A sustainable one to one program with clear refresh cycles
• Universal access to assistive and accessibility tools
• Secure, district wide digital citizenship and AI literacy instruction

Limit this to three goals. Focus brings power.

Zen 4: Set One Five Month Goal

Big plans fail without short wins.

Now ask:

“In the next five months, what single, attainable technology goal will move us forward?”

This might be:

• Piloting a new learning platform with one department
• Improving classroom audio and accessibility
• Establishing baseline cybersecurity practices

A clear short term goal builds momentum and confidence.

Zen 5: Map the Activities That Lead to the Goal

A goal without actions is a wish.

Create a simple timeline outlining:

• Who is responsible
• What steps are required
• What resources are needed
• How progress will be monitored

This “mini roadmap” transforms ideas into execution and prevents drift.

Zen 6: Be Relentless—and Creative—About Funding

Technology funding rarely comes from a single source.

Strong technology plans actively pursue:

• Local, state, and federal grants
• Partnerships with civic organizations
• Corporate donations and equipment refresh programs
• Education foundations and philanthropy

Sometimes funding requires nothing more than a well written letter and a follow up call. Schools that advocate for themselves are far more likely to receive support.

Zen 7: Repair, Repurpose, and Teach Sustainability

Not every solution requires something new.

Older devices can often be:

• Re imaged and repurposed for writing, research, or testing
• Converted into dedicated stations
• Used for student learning around hardware, repair, and sustainability

When a device truly reaches end of life, responsibly recycle or cannibalize parts. This reduces waste and models responsible stewardship for students.

Zen 8: Approach the Newest “Must Have” Technology with Caution

The newest tool is rarely the best instructional tool.

First generation technology often:

• Costs more
• Has limited ecosystem support
• Contains unresolved hardware or software issues

Let others work through early issues. Mature platforms are typically more stable, affordable, and instructionally flexible after one or two iterations.

Zen 9: Demand Evidence When Selecting Software

Vendors are persuasive. Evidence is better.

Before committing:

• Review independent research and case studies
• Request pilot access or trial periods
• Gather teacher and student feedback

Reputable companies welcome scrutiny and provide documentation to support effectiveness claims.

Zen 10: Reject “Drive By” Professional Development

One off workshops rarely change practice.

Effective technology professional development is:

• Ongoing and scaffolded
• Differentiated by skill level and role
• Supported with coaching and follow up sessions

Adults learn technology at different paces. Offering choice, time, and support is not a luxury—it is a requirement.

Final Thought: Technology Planning Is Human Planning

Successful technology plans are grounded in people, purpose, and patience.

When schools focus first on learning, equity, sustainability, and professional growth, technology becomes an amplifier—not a distraction.

These ten Zens won’t eliminate hard decisions, but they will ensure those decisions are intentional, defensible, and focused on what truly matters: students and learning.