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
SWOT is an acronym that stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. SWOTs are a structured planning method that can be used in businesses or schools to help evaluate programs. This artifact was created to evaluate and communicate how the ISTE Essential Conditions are facilitating the growth of learning through technology in our schools. The ISTE Essential Conditions are fourteen elements that can be used as a guide for educators and schools to effectively implement the ISTE standards. All fourteen elements are designed to reach all educational levels and to help promote best practices for using technology in our schools. Evaluating these elements can help our schools implement technology enriched curriculums to engage and support our students. This artifact was created in the ITEC 7410: Technology Leadership & Vision in Schools course.
To facilitate the development and evaluation of the ISTE Essential Conditions, I had to start by using the ISTE Lead and Transform Diagnostic Tool. Taking that diagnostic data, I used it to help summarize my schools strengths and weaknesses while developing recommendations for strengthening each of the essential conditions. While creating this artifact I learned a great deal about my schools technology usage and available resources. Some of our strengths lie with consistent and adequate funding, equitable access, ongoing professional learning, and technical support. Devices such as, laptops, tablets, iPads, and interactive Smartboards are just a few of the devices that can be found in each of our classrooms.
Some areas of weakness that I indicated involved our stakeholders and providing differentiated professional development. Our stakeholders need to be involved in the integration of technology in my school. We need to be providing opportunities when they can come and learn about how to support their children. Along with identifying our strengths and weaknesses I developed several ideas to support our weaker areas. For example in the area of Equitable Access I felt that if my school restructured funds to pay a staff member to open and close our computer labs our students without access at home could use our facilities. Also, implementing Technology PTA nights to educate and learn from our stakeholders. Many of these changes would have a direct impact on our student’s overall learning.
I learned a great deal about my school and our initiatives from my SWOT. While creating this artifact I felt that it was just a one-sided evaluation. I believe to really get a true outlook on our school’s strengths and weaknesses this should have been completed by a panel of our teachers. These teachers should be from a variety of grade levels, the media specialists, our administrations, and our IT support. Each of these individuals brings a variety of perspectives concerning our schools integration of technology.
With the creation of my SWOT our school and system has undergone several changes. An Instructional Technology Committee was created in my school to help with technology integration. We have also been working with our PTA to help bridge the gap between our stakeholders. Marietta City Schools is committed to providing and expanding technology integration in our schools. They have taken steps to create a Digital Learning Department, hire additional technology support staff, purchase resources to support a 1:2 ratio in grades K-2 and 1:1 ratio in grades 3-12, and provide a reliable technology infrastructure.
To facilitate the development and evaluation of the ISTE Essential Conditions, I had to start by using the ISTE Lead and Transform Diagnostic Tool. Taking that diagnostic data, I used it to help summarize my schools strengths and weaknesses while developing recommendations for strengthening each of the essential conditions. While creating this artifact I learned a great deal about my schools technology usage and available resources. Some of our strengths lie with consistent and adequate funding, equitable access, ongoing professional learning, and technical support. Devices such as, laptops, tablets, iPads, and interactive Smartboards are just a few of the devices that can be found in each of our classrooms.
Some areas of weakness that I indicated involved our stakeholders and providing differentiated professional development. Our stakeholders need to be involved in the integration of technology in my school. We need to be providing opportunities when they can come and learn about how to support their children. Along with identifying our strengths and weaknesses I developed several ideas to support our weaker areas. For example in the area of Equitable Access I felt that if my school restructured funds to pay a staff member to open and close our computer labs our students without access at home could use our facilities. Also, implementing Technology PTA nights to educate and learn from our stakeholders. Many of these changes would have a direct impact on our student’s overall learning.
I learned a great deal about my school and our initiatives from my SWOT. While creating this artifact I felt that it was just a one-sided evaluation. I believe to really get a true outlook on our school’s strengths and weaknesses this should have been completed by a panel of our teachers. These teachers should be from a variety of grade levels, the media specialists, our administrations, and our IT support. Each of these individuals brings a variety of perspectives concerning our schools integration of technology.
With the creation of my SWOT our school and system has undergone several changes. An Instructional Technology Committee was created in my school to help with technology integration. We have also been working with our PTA to help bridge the gap between our stakeholders. Marietta City Schools is committed to providing and expanding technology integration in our schools. They have taken steps to create a Digital Learning Department, hire additional technology support staff, purchase resources to support a 1:2 ratio in grades K-2 and 1:1 ratio in grades 3-12, and provide a reliable technology infrastructure.