Standard 1.2 Strategic Planning
Candidates facilitate the design, development, implementation, communication, and evaluation of technology-infused strategic plans. (PSC 1.2/ISTE 1b)
Artifact: SWOT Analysis
Reflection:
The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was developed during ITEC 7410 course in the instructional technology educational specialist program. This analysis allowed me to evaluate the current technology implementation for our district by using our school's improvement plan, specifically looking at how we use technology in our district. I was able to focus on the strengths and weaknesses that we currently have, as well as develop suggested improvements for the areas of weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. For this artifact, I developed an analysis of these technology aspects for North LaFayette Elementary.
Standard 1.2, Strategic Planning, is developed to facilitate the design, development, implementation, communication, and evaluation of technology-infused strategic plans. While creating this artifact, I was able to demonstrate my ability to design, develop, implement, collaborate, communicate, and evaluate strategic plans on a district level with a focus on technology. I was able to collaborate with the school technology team (administrators, parents, teachers, students, stakeholders, and community members) to design an action plan based on the SWOT analysis and our school improvement plan to address technology in our schools. This collaboration took place face to face in a tech team meeting after school. The team and I made these decisions over the course of three meetings. The SWOT was a great resource to use to show our stakeholders and the technology team what the areas of weakness are, and suggestions on ways to work on these areas. For example, one of the areas of weakness that we focused on was that we needed more technology devices in grades K-2. The team decided that K-2 would be provided more devices for the 2019-2020 school year.
According to the SWOT analysis, several areas could use some focus. One of the areas that we could focus on more is the technology availability in our school. Adding “Technology Time” after school on certain days of the week would help parents be more involved, allow them to communicate and collaborate with teachers more, and students be more prepared in their studies. I would need to communicate and collaborate with teachers to set up a calendar for the days that teachers would volunteer their time to stay for tech time. There is also a need for professional development for teachers who are unfamiliar how to implement technology into their classrooms. I could provide after school trainings focused on technology implementation in the classroom. I have also played a role in the development of the technology team at NLE. I have developed the idea for different teams for our school, and technology team is one that teachers can sign up for to be more actively involved at our school.The county has several ways that they could improve things as well. For example, technology coaches are not currently employed with our county. We have tech specialists, who are in charge of troubleshooting errors. However, they only come one-two days per week. They are not able to offer any training for our teachers. Also, our district strategic plan is out of date. It needs to be updated to match our current technology goals. Teachers in our county are also not aware of the ISTE standards. They know that there are technology standards out there, but they are not required to teach any of these standards or align them with our academic standards.
I learned a lot through this assignment. I was able to point out the weaknesses and strengths in the county and school. It is eye opening to truly be aware of all of the things that our county and school should currently be working toward. The only thing that I would have changed about this assignment is that I would have loved to have more time to meet with county technology officials to discuss the changes that need to be made in order for our county to stay adequate in relation to other surrounding counties.
Professional development opportunities may soon be offered throughout the county, and teachers may finally be able to successfully implement the technology devices that we have into their instructional time. Through completing this assignment, individuals became more aware of what we need to work on to make our county and schools more technology-centered. The impact of this analysis can be assessed by giving a post-survey to teachers and county employees after some of the changes that are being made with this plan are complete. For example, the weaknesses that are stated and the ways that North LaFayette is working to strengthen these areas.
The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was developed during ITEC 7410 course in the instructional technology educational specialist program. This analysis allowed me to evaluate the current technology implementation for our district by using our school's improvement plan, specifically looking at how we use technology in our district. I was able to focus on the strengths and weaknesses that we currently have, as well as develop suggested improvements for the areas of weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. For this artifact, I developed an analysis of these technology aspects for North LaFayette Elementary.
Standard 1.2, Strategic Planning, is developed to facilitate the design, development, implementation, communication, and evaluation of technology-infused strategic plans. While creating this artifact, I was able to demonstrate my ability to design, develop, implement, collaborate, communicate, and evaluate strategic plans on a district level with a focus on technology. I was able to collaborate with the school technology team (administrators, parents, teachers, students, stakeholders, and community members) to design an action plan based on the SWOT analysis and our school improvement plan to address technology in our schools. This collaboration took place face to face in a tech team meeting after school. The team and I made these decisions over the course of three meetings. The SWOT was a great resource to use to show our stakeholders and the technology team what the areas of weakness are, and suggestions on ways to work on these areas. For example, one of the areas of weakness that we focused on was that we needed more technology devices in grades K-2. The team decided that K-2 would be provided more devices for the 2019-2020 school year.
According to the SWOT analysis, several areas could use some focus. One of the areas that we could focus on more is the technology availability in our school. Adding “Technology Time” after school on certain days of the week would help parents be more involved, allow them to communicate and collaborate with teachers more, and students be more prepared in their studies. I would need to communicate and collaborate with teachers to set up a calendar for the days that teachers would volunteer their time to stay for tech time. There is also a need for professional development for teachers who are unfamiliar how to implement technology into their classrooms. I could provide after school trainings focused on technology implementation in the classroom. I have also played a role in the development of the technology team at NLE. I have developed the idea for different teams for our school, and technology team is one that teachers can sign up for to be more actively involved at our school.The county has several ways that they could improve things as well. For example, technology coaches are not currently employed with our county. We have tech specialists, who are in charge of troubleshooting errors. However, they only come one-two days per week. They are not able to offer any training for our teachers. Also, our district strategic plan is out of date. It needs to be updated to match our current technology goals. Teachers in our county are also not aware of the ISTE standards. They know that there are technology standards out there, but they are not required to teach any of these standards or align them with our academic standards.
I learned a lot through this assignment. I was able to point out the weaknesses and strengths in the county and school. It is eye opening to truly be aware of all of the things that our county and school should currently be working toward. The only thing that I would have changed about this assignment is that I would have loved to have more time to meet with county technology officials to discuss the changes that need to be made in order for our county to stay adequate in relation to other surrounding counties.
Professional development opportunities may soon be offered throughout the county, and teachers may finally be able to successfully implement the technology devices that we have into their instructional time. Through completing this assignment, individuals became more aware of what we need to work on to make our county and schools more technology-centered. The impact of this analysis can be assessed by giving a post-survey to teachers and county employees after some of the changes that are being made with this plan are complete. For example, the weaknesses that are stated and the ways that North LaFayette is working to strengthen these areas.