1.2 Strategic Planning
Candidates facilitate the development and implementation of a shared vision for the use of technology in teaching, learning, and leadership.
(PSC 1.1/ISTE 1a)
(PSC 1.1/ISTE 1a)
Artifacts: SWOT Analysis Action Evaluation Plan A New Vision for Technology
Reflection
This artifact is a technology Action Plan I created for Hand in Hand Primary School. This artifact is the culmination of many components that each built on the other. I surveyed teachers, created a vision statement for the school, and created a SWOT analysis. Additionally, I researched more on project based learning to help craft plans I felt were appropriate for our grade levels. Using the SWOT analysis and keeping the ITSE Essential Conditions in mind, I created an Action Plan for Hand in Hand Primary School.
I identified four large goals in the Action Plan that consisted of skills I was currently not seeing in our school and where we would be by the end 2014 school year. After identifying the goals I wanted to focus on, I created strategies on meeting those goals and gave a specific timetable as to when the strategies would be completed. Additionally, the plan contains the funding source and the person responsible for making sure the strategies are met.
From the results of the survey, I knew teachers were not aware of the technology standards or the importance of technology integration. Therefore, I recommend in the Action Plan to use professional learning days to present an overview of the ITSE Technology Standards for teachers and students, the LoTi Level Frameworks and the Indicators for Instruction of Engagement. After researching our county’s plans for technology I found that Thomas County Schools System has a technology plan which is well crafted and in line with the Georgia Department of Education and U. S. Department of Education’s visions. However, the school did not have a plan of their own. If the staff is to create a plan for technology use at Hand in Hand, they need to become familiar with the standards and in creating lessons that integrate technology.
This artifact meets the standard 1.2 as I have identified where our school’s current strengths and weaknesses are, as well as, the opportunities for growth through the SWOT analysis. I then created an Action Plan of where I thought we should go next. The Action Plan provided strategies, and a timeline in which to meet these goals. I also identified the funding source for these goals and who should be responsible for implementing them. This Action Plan provides recommendations to increase teachers’ awareness of technology integration, of specific software to use, ways to showcase their progress and to add a technology vision statement to the school improvement plan. As Creighton (2003) points out, “there should be no technology plan; there should be a school improvement plan that has technology as an important component in it.”
I learned a great deal creating this artifact. Researching the various vision statements at the county, state, and federal level helped me see the necessity for one at Hand in Hand. As our school as very up to date equipment, I was pleased most of the goals did not need a funding source. However, the school needs to set aside some of the professional learning time for teacher education surrounding technology integration. Currently, all of this new equipment is not being used to create authentic tasks that include collaboration; many are still using it primarily for drill and skill. I also learned a great deal as I applied the ITSE Essential Conditions to our school as this helped me articulate a strategic plan that will help the staff create a technology vision for Hand in Hand. If I were to create an Action Plan again, I would research how other schools are integrating technology in developmentally appropriate ways with early childhood students. Our vision should always keep in the mind the special needs of our population.
These strategic plans communicate clearly where we are, where we can go next and how to achieve our goal of integrating technology in student learning. I will present this SWOT Analysis and the Action Plan during professional learning in August, and my goal is that Hand in Hand will have a technology vision statement included in the school’s improvement plan by the end of the school year. This Action Plan will have an impact on the faculty as it will help provide professional learning that will give them an understanding of the ITSE standards for students and teachers and helps them create meaningful and authentic lessons that include technology integration. Consequently, this will also have an impact on student learning and achievement as they will have informed teachers who can help build their technology literacy.
This artifact is a technology Action Plan I created for Hand in Hand Primary School. This artifact is the culmination of many components that each built on the other. I surveyed teachers, created a vision statement for the school, and created a SWOT analysis. Additionally, I researched more on project based learning to help craft plans I felt were appropriate for our grade levels. Using the SWOT analysis and keeping the ITSE Essential Conditions in mind, I created an Action Plan for Hand in Hand Primary School.
I identified four large goals in the Action Plan that consisted of skills I was currently not seeing in our school and where we would be by the end 2014 school year. After identifying the goals I wanted to focus on, I created strategies on meeting those goals and gave a specific timetable as to when the strategies would be completed. Additionally, the plan contains the funding source and the person responsible for making sure the strategies are met.
From the results of the survey, I knew teachers were not aware of the technology standards or the importance of technology integration. Therefore, I recommend in the Action Plan to use professional learning days to present an overview of the ITSE Technology Standards for teachers and students, the LoTi Level Frameworks and the Indicators for Instruction of Engagement. After researching our county’s plans for technology I found that Thomas County Schools System has a technology plan which is well crafted and in line with the Georgia Department of Education and U. S. Department of Education’s visions. However, the school did not have a plan of their own. If the staff is to create a plan for technology use at Hand in Hand, they need to become familiar with the standards and in creating lessons that integrate technology.
This artifact meets the standard 1.2 as I have identified where our school’s current strengths and weaknesses are, as well as, the opportunities for growth through the SWOT analysis. I then created an Action Plan of where I thought we should go next. The Action Plan provided strategies, and a timeline in which to meet these goals. I also identified the funding source for these goals and who should be responsible for implementing them. This Action Plan provides recommendations to increase teachers’ awareness of technology integration, of specific software to use, ways to showcase their progress and to add a technology vision statement to the school improvement plan. As Creighton (2003) points out, “there should be no technology plan; there should be a school improvement plan that has technology as an important component in it.”
I learned a great deal creating this artifact. Researching the various vision statements at the county, state, and federal level helped me see the necessity for one at Hand in Hand. As our school as very up to date equipment, I was pleased most of the goals did not need a funding source. However, the school needs to set aside some of the professional learning time for teacher education surrounding technology integration. Currently, all of this new equipment is not being used to create authentic tasks that include collaboration; many are still using it primarily for drill and skill. I also learned a great deal as I applied the ITSE Essential Conditions to our school as this helped me articulate a strategic plan that will help the staff create a technology vision for Hand in Hand. If I were to create an Action Plan again, I would research how other schools are integrating technology in developmentally appropriate ways with early childhood students. Our vision should always keep in the mind the special needs of our population.
These strategic plans communicate clearly where we are, where we can go next and how to achieve our goal of integrating technology in student learning. I will present this SWOT Analysis and the Action Plan during professional learning in August, and my goal is that Hand in Hand will have a technology vision statement included in the school’s improvement plan by the end of the school year. This Action Plan will have an impact on the faculty as it will help provide professional learning that will give them an understanding of the ITSE standards for students and teachers and helps them create meaningful and authentic lessons that include technology integration. Consequently, this will also have an impact on student learning and achievement as they will have informed teachers who can help build their technology literacy.