1.3 Policies, Procedures, Programs and Funding
Candidates research, recommend, and implement policies, procedures, programs and funding strategies to support implementation of the shared vision represented in the school, district, state, and federal technology plans and guidelines. Funding strategies may include the development, submission, and evaluation of formal grant proposals. (PSC 1.3/ISTE 1c)
Artifact: Action/Evaluation Plan
The Action/Evaluation Plan was created during ITEC 7410. This plan was created to address the SWOT Analysis I conducted for Adairsville Middle School. This plan specifically focused on the learning goals set forth by Adairsville Middle School’s School Improvement Plan (SIP) and how teachers can ensure these goals are addressed and evaluate their success. To create this action/evaluation plan, I was charged with researching strategies and funding options that would support the implementation of the plan. The main focus of this plan was setting goals for Adairsville Middle School and utilizing technology to reach them.
This artifact demonstrates mastery of Standard 1.3 because in order to create the plan I had to research my school’s current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to determine our present level of technology integration. Utilizing our school’s SIP allowed me to research and understand areas where we were currently excelling in technology use and where we could improve. Based on this research, I could then recommend and request the implementation of ideas and strategies for technology improvements such as having weekly trainings with the technology coach, providing mentor teachers for those teachers who are struggling with technology use, professional development days for teachers to learn about new Web 2.0 tools, and enrolling students in technology connections classes. The implementation of these recommendations clearly addressed Adairsville Middle School’s goal of increasing student learning and engagement through technology use.
Through the completion of this artifact, I learned how essential it is to create realistic goals that not only meet the needs of my school, but to ensure these goals are able to be funded according to my school’s budget. I learned that many goals that can greatly improve technology use in schools are essentially free. Many of the goals I set for our school were based on professional development that could be conducted during planning periods. I became more aware of how important it is to understand individual school culture and climate before recommending policies. To create effective goals and strategies, all teachers and students must be considered. The quality of this artifact could be enhanced by gathering input from teachers from varying grade levels to ensure all teacher input and ideas were taken into consideration. When teachers can take ownership of goals and plans, they are more likely to see them through.
This artifact impacts school improvement by providing resources and strategies that teachers can immediately utilize to improve student learning through technology integration. The goals included in this action/evaluation plan provide professional development opportunities that teachers of varying comfort levels can gain experience from, such as grade level technology coaching sessions, tutorial videos, and one-on-one mentoring sessions. Student learning will be improved as students begin using technology more frequently and efficiently in their content area classes. Informal administrator walkthroughs, teacher and student feedback surveys, and assessments can all be utilized to assess the impact of this artifact.
This artifact demonstrates mastery of Standard 1.3 because in order to create the plan I had to research my school’s current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to determine our present level of technology integration. Utilizing our school’s SIP allowed me to research and understand areas where we were currently excelling in technology use and where we could improve. Based on this research, I could then recommend and request the implementation of ideas and strategies for technology improvements such as having weekly trainings with the technology coach, providing mentor teachers for those teachers who are struggling with technology use, professional development days for teachers to learn about new Web 2.0 tools, and enrolling students in technology connections classes. The implementation of these recommendations clearly addressed Adairsville Middle School’s goal of increasing student learning and engagement through technology use.
Through the completion of this artifact, I learned how essential it is to create realistic goals that not only meet the needs of my school, but to ensure these goals are able to be funded according to my school’s budget. I learned that many goals that can greatly improve technology use in schools are essentially free. Many of the goals I set for our school were based on professional development that could be conducted during planning periods. I became more aware of how important it is to understand individual school culture and climate before recommending policies. To create effective goals and strategies, all teachers and students must be considered. The quality of this artifact could be enhanced by gathering input from teachers from varying grade levels to ensure all teacher input and ideas were taken into consideration. When teachers can take ownership of goals and plans, they are more likely to see them through.
This artifact impacts school improvement by providing resources and strategies that teachers can immediately utilize to improve student learning through technology integration. The goals included in this action/evaluation plan provide professional development opportunities that teachers of varying comfort levels can gain experience from, such as grade level technology coaching sessions, tutorial videos, and one-on-one mentoring sessions. Student learning will be improved as students begin using technology more frequently and efficiently in their content area classes. Informal administrator walkthroughs, teacher and student feedback surveys, and assessments can all be utilized to assess the impact of this artifact.