1.2 Strategic Planning
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Candidates facilitate the design, development, implementation, communication, and evaluation of technology-infused strategic plans. (PSC 1.2/ISTE 1b)
The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats SWOT Analysis document was created for my school and district, and for the assignment of ITEC 7410, and is aligned to this standard. This document itself is full of examples of how I have the ability to not only design and develop a technology-infused plan, but how I would facilitate it as well. Below are sections, from the SWOT Analysis, that were completed for the technology planning needs assessment. Each of these sections had guiding questions to complete and subsections (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) to complete.
• Effective Instructional Uses of Technology in Standards-Based, Student-Centered Learning
-- Use of information and communication technology (ICT) to facilitate engaging approaches to learning.
• Shared Vision
-- Proactive leadership in developing a shared vision for educational technology among school personnel, students, parents, and the community.
• Planning for Technology
-- A systematic plan aligned with a shared vision for school effectiveness and student learning through the infusion of ICT and digital learning resources.
• Equitable Access
-- Robust and reliable access to current and emerging technologies and digital resources.
• Skilled Personnel
-- Educators and support staff skilled in the use of ICT appropriate for their job responsibilities.
• Ongoing Professional Learning
-- Technology-related professional learning plans and opportunities with dedicated time to practice and share ideas.
• Technical Support
-- Consistent and reliable assistance for maintaining, renewing, and using ICT and digital resources.
• Curriculum Framework
-- Content standards and related digital curriculum resources. (ISTE Standards)
To complete the SWOT Analysis, multiple documents were used. They are the BYOT Agreement Form, the Three-Year Technology Plan, the Instructional Technology website from the district, the School Improvement Plan, and the Title IID Stem Grant: Enhancing Education through Technology. All of these documents guided me through the completion of the SWOT Analysis, along with being on the School Improvement Team, the School Technology Team, and District Technology Team. The conclusion of the SWOT Analysis informed me that our school/district was using technology in lessons to improve student learning, and that our students were doing the same thing.
I learned that the SWOT Analysis is the document to use to understand a school or district's usage of educational technology. It has given me the knowledge from how to implement a technology needs assessment to how to evaluate one. I now understand that we will never get where we want to be as a district, technology wise, if we do not already understand where we have been, and currently are. It is essential that the district first creates a base understanding of the current implementation practices of educational technology, and through this assignment, I was able to do so. From working with multiple teams at the school level, and the district level, specific styles of communication (face-to-face, group meetings, email, texts, phone, interviews, and even Google Hangouts) were required to ensure the overall success of technology implementation and integration.
If there was one thing to change, I would have to state that more time would be welcomed for this analysis to occur. For a more detailed and descriptive analysis, more time will be needed, all teachers and administrators will need to be interviewed and surveyed, and students will need to provide input from their point of view. These evaluation processes come from the SWOT itself and assist with the overall implementation and evaluation of the SWOT document for the district.
Every decision made at the classroom/school/district level should focus on the improvement of student learning and achievement. By identifying where were are as a school and district in terms of technology planning, changes can be made to assist each student in their educational exploration through the grades and standards. With walkthroughs, classroom observations and even teacher and student quick talk sessions, administrators can measure the overall effectiveness and uses of relevant technology integrated lessons to further the implementation of educational technology while keeping the SWOT in mind. Therefore, this artifact would directly relate to the school improvement, staff improvement, and student growth if completed and followed through with by administrators. Subsequently, the next step to the SWOT Analysis would be the Action / Evaluation Plan, which can be found in the next standard.
References
ISTE Standards. (2015). Retrieved June 25, 2015, from http://www.iste.org/standards
• Effective Instructional Uses of Technology in Standards-Based, Student-Centered Learning
-- Use of information and communication technology (ICT) to facilitate engaging approaches to learning.
• Shared Vision
-- Proactive leadership in developing a shared vision for educational technology among school personnel, students, parents, and the community.
• Planning for Technology
-- A systematic plan aligned with a shared vision for school effectiveness and student learning through the infusion of ICT and digital learning resources.
• Equitable Access
-- Robust and reliable access to current and emerging technologies and digital resources.
• Skilled Personnel
-- Educators and support staff skilled in the use of ICT appropriate for their job responsibilities.
• Ongoing Professional Learning
-- Technology-related professional learning plans and opportunities with dedicated time to practice and share ideas.
• Technical Support
-- Consistent and reliable assistance for maintaining, renewing, and using ICT and digital resources.
• Curriculum Framework
-- Content standards and related digital curriculum resources. (ISTE Standards)
To complete the SWOT Analysis, multiple documents were used. They are the BYOT Agreement Form, the Three-Year Technology Plan, the Instructional Technology website from the district, the School Improvement Plan, and the Title IID Stem Grant: Enhancing Education through Technology. All of these documents guided me through the completion of the SWOT Analysis, along with being on the School Improvement Team, the School Technology Team, and District Technology Team. The conclusion of the SWOT Analysis informed me that our school/district was using technology in lessons to improve student learning, and that our students were doing the same thing.
I learned that the SWOT Analysis is the document to use to understand a school or district's usage of educational technology. It has given me the knowledge from how to implement a technology needs assessment to how to evaluate one. I now understand that we will never get where we want to be as a district, technology wise, if we do not already understand where we have been, and currently are. It is essential that the district first creates a base understanding of the current implementation practices of educational technology, and through this assignment, I was able to do so. From working with multiple teams at the school level, and the district level, specific styles of communication (face-to-face, group meetings, email, texts, phone, interviews, and even Google Hangouts) were required to ensure the overall success of technology implementation and integration.
If there was one thing to change, I would have to state that more time would be welcomed for this analysis to occur. For a more detailed and descriptive analysis, more time will be needed, all teachers and administrators will need to be interviewed and surveyed, and students will need to provide input from their point of view. These evaluation processes come from the SWOT itself and assist with the overall implementation and evaluation of the SWOT document for the district.
Every decision made at the classroom/school/district level should focus on the improvement of student learning and achievement. By identifying where were are as a school and district in terms of technology planning, changes can be made to assist each student in their educational exploration through the grades and standards. With walkthroughs, classroom observations and even teacher and student quick talk sessions, administrators can measure the overall effectiveness and uses of relevant technology integrated lessons to further the implementation of educational technology while keeping the SWOT in mind. Therefore, this artifact would directly relate to the school improvement, staff improvement, and student growth if completed and followed through with by administrators. Subsequently, the next step to the SWOT Analysis would be the Action / Evaluation Plan, which can be found in the next standard.
References
ISTE Standards. (2015). Retrieved June 25, 2015, from http://www.iste.org/standards