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 SWOT Analysis was completed as an assignment in ITEC 7410, Instructional Technology Leadership, and was selected as the representative artifact for Standard 1.2. The SWOT Analysis report, completed individually, was one component of my Technology Planning Project. It provided an opportunity for me to look closely at the current technology situation at Gainesville High School. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats and was paired with eight of the ISTE’s Essential Conditions for utilizing technology for learning to allow for a detailed analysis of technology integration at GHS. To complete the SWOT Analysis, I used information from our districts school improvement plan, the draft for the Technology Plan, student and parent surveys, and the ISTE’s Lead and Transform Diagnostic Tool. I used this information to summarize strengths and weaknesses for each essential conditions and made recommendations for strengthening them.
Standard 1.2, Strategic Planning, establishes the expectations for facilitating the design and development, implementation, communication, and evaluation of technology-infused strategic plans. The completion of this artifact allowed me to demonstrate mastery of identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within my school, in regard to technology integration. I completed the SWOT analysis by gathering data on each of the eight essential conditions (effective instructional uses of technology in student-centered learning, shared vision, planning for technology, equitable access, skilled personnel, ongoing professional learning, technical support, and curriculum framework). I also completed the ISTE’s Lead and Transform Diagnostic tool, which provides a snapshot of the school’s technology integration progress and helps with strategic planning and implementation initiatives. I was able to use this information to design and develop a plan that would address gaps in our technology integration process. I communicated with administrators and our technology integration specialist, who also served on the district technology team, to design a plan based on the SWOT analysis. Once implemented, this plan’s effectiveness could be evaluated through an updated SWOT analysis, student and faculty surveys, and stakeholder feedback.
This experience provided me an opportunity to think about my vision for educational technology in the present, as well as in the future. As I completed the Lead & Transform Diagnostic Tool and the SWOT Analysis, I learned to understand and assess the essential conditions for technology integration, as well as to identify opportunities to increase effectiveness. I also learned that recognizing threats can be a valuable proactive approach to preventing technology integration mishaps. To improve future results of a SWOT Analysis, I would recommend creating a stakeholder’s input survey to provide specific questions relating to the essential conditions. This would provide more valid and valuable feedback to assist with completing the diagnostic tool and SWOT analysis.
The creation of this artifact positively impacted school improvement by identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas of opportunity in technology integration. By providing the results to our administration and technology specialist, I feel confident that technology integration will be a focus in our Technology plan and school improvement plan, as well as in future professional developments. If this impact needed to be evaluated, the stakeholder’s input survey would be sufficient to document improvements and progress over time. The SWOT analysis could also be repeated, and should, to continually provide current integration status and opportunities for improvement.
The SWOT Analysis was completed as an assignment in ITEC 7410, Instructional Technology Leadership, and was selected as the representative artifact for Standard 1.2. The SWOT Analysis report, completed individually, was one component of my Technology Planning Project. It provided an opportunity for me to look closely at the current technology situation at Gainesville High School. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats and was paired with eight of the ISTE’s Essential Conditions for utilizing technology for learning to allow for a detailed analysis of technology integration at GHS. To complete the SWOT Analysis, I used information from our districts school improvement plan, the draft for the Technology Plan, student and parent surveys, and the ISTE’s Lead and Transform Diagnostic Tool. I used this information to summarize strengths and weaknesses for each essential conditions and made recommendations for strengthening them.
Standard 1.2, Strategic Planning, establishes the expectations for facilitating the design and development, implementation, communication, and evaluation of technology-infused strategic plans. The completion of this artifact allowed me to demonstrate mastery of identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within my school, in regard to technology integration. I completed the SWOT analysis by gathering data on each of the eight essential conditions (effective instructional uses of technology in student-centered learning, shared vision, planning for technology, equitable access, skilled personnel, ongoing professional learning, technical support, and curriculum framework). I also completed the ISTE’s Lead and Transform Diagnostic tool, which provides a snapshot of the school’s technology integration progress and helps with strategic planning and implementation initiatives. I was able to use this information to design and develop a plan that would address gaps in our technology integration process. I communicated with administrators and our technology integration specialist, who also served on the district technology team, to design a plan based on the SWOT analysis. Once implemented, this plan’s effectiveness could be evaluated through an updated SWOT analysis, student and faculty surveys, and stakeholder feedback.
This experience provided me an opportunity to think about my vision for educational technology in the present, as well as in the future. As I completed the Lead & Transform Diagnostic Tool and the SWOT Analysis, I learned to understand and assess the essential conditions for technology integration, as well as to identify opportunities to increase effectiveness. I also learned that recognizing threats can be a valuable proactive approach to preventing technology integration mishaps. To improve future results of a SWOT Analysis, I would recommend creating a stakeholder’s input survey to provide specific questions relating to the essential conditions. This would provide more valid and valuable feedback to assist with completing the diagnostic tool and SWOT analysis.
The creation of this artifact positively impacted school improvement by identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas of opportunity in technology integration. By providing the results to our administration and technology specialist, I feel confident that technology integration will be a focus in our Technology plan and school improvement plan, as well as in future professional developments. If this impact needed to be evaluated, the stakeholder’s input survey would be sufficient to document improvements and progress over time. The SWOT analysis could also be repeated, and should, to continually provide current integration status and opportunities for improvement.