This course gave me the opportunity to critically look at our school’s technology uses and misuses. The SWOT Analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) I created helped me clearly see as a school we were not using technology to help build digital literacy. Because some of the recent SPLOST money was allocated for technology we have been provided with new up to date hardware. However, the teachers need educational opportunities in how to use these digital tools for student learning. They have had training in the basic operations but they have not received education on how to incorporate digital tools for student centered learning. This is difficult with kindergarten age students, but not impossible. With four ITEC candidates from KSU at my school, it is my hope we will be able to showcase some of the ways in which to use digital tools with lessons teachers have already created. The tools that allow students to use their own voices are great ones for helping them express their ideas and knowledge. They might include; VoiceThread, Glogster, Movie Maker, Little Birds Tales, and Audacity. All of the KSU candidates are very enthusiastic about what we have learned and we have all created Action Plans that can be used to lead the school in educating teachers in the use of digital tools. We also know we have to build on that enthusiasm and present this shift in technology use, not as just one more thing for teachers to have to take on. We may not all have coaching positions, but we can all be instrumental in recommending and implementing technology innovations that help manage this change process in our school.
It is my hope that this coming year Hand in Hand becomes familiar with and embraces the ITSE Essential Conditions and the ITSE standards for teachers and students. Additionally, I hope the staff works together to create a vision statement for technology and incorporate it into our school improvement plan.