1.3 Policies, Procedures, Programs & 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: Tech Integration Grant Proposal
Artifact: Action/Evaluation Plan
Artifact: Evaluating an Emerging Technology
Reflection:
The completion of these three experiences illustrates my ability to research, recommend, and implement programs that support technology implementation. I created the Mini Technology Grant Proposal and the Action/Evaluation plan for the ITEC 7410 class. I created the Evaluating an Emerging Technology presentation as an assignment in ITEC 7445. For each of these experiences, I had to consider funding, resources, standards, training, and goals.
For the Mini Grant Proposal and the Emerging Technology presentation, I researched and recommended two digital tools for school-wide usage. In evaluating and selecting tools, I considered our school’s goals and teachers’ needs and abilities. I created proposals explaining the benefits and uses of the tools. I illustrated how these tools would improve student engagement and performance. I recommended ways that these tools could be immediately implemented in all classrooms. I addressed necessary funding, increased training, required resources, safety concerns, and digital equity based on our school's current conditions.
For the Action/Evaluation plan, I implemented policies, programs, and procedures to establish a strategic plan. I had to use the SWOT analysis results to develop a plan for more effective technology implementation in our school. In order to create a strategic plan, I established five goals and procedures to achieve each goal. When developing the goals and plan, I made sure to address the ISTE essential conditions, and local and national technology and curriculum standards. I had to take into account our school's current needs, goals, resources, funding, and policies. I recommended changes in staff development, technical support, and instructional strategies. For example, we created an extended technology team to provide the necessary training and support to help the faculty implement technology in their own classrooms that incorporated their individual content standards. Our SWOT analysis and staff survey results indicated that teachers felt overwhelmed when it came to implementing technology. They felt that they had previously been briefly introduced to various digital tools but were not provided the time or assistance for implementing them into their curriculum. Therefore, the creation of the extended technology support team was vital to the successful implementation of the vision and plan. Most of my recommendations, like the one just mentioned, utilized our current resources and staff more effectively, resulting in minimal or no additional funding.
These experiences provided me with valuable skills and insight necessary in implementing technology school wide. I discovered new and emerging technologies through my research. I analyzed these technologies to select the best ones for recommending to the faculty and facilitating in school-wide implementation. I learned how to integrate technology and curriculum standards. I discovered how to capitalize on current resources in order to improve effectiveness. I gained valuable knowledge of the inner workings of the available funding for schools and how to utilize them. These experiences required me to consider and implement changes in policy to ensure equitable access and proper staff development and support. I was able to bring about positive change in my school by sharing these experiences with my administration and local technology team. If I were to complete this assignment again, I would consult our local technology team when researching and evaluating emerging technology. Our technology team is aware of the staff’s wants, needs, strengths, and weaknesses and could have helped me pick technology that would be the most beneficial school-wide.
These artifacts lead to an increase in technology usage in the classroom school-wide. This increase will be apparent in observations. It should also increase student engagement, which will improve student performance. Classroom and school assessments should reveal this increase in student performance.
The completion of these three experiences illustrates my ability to research, recommend, and implement programs that support technology implementation. I created the Mini Technology Grant Proposal and the Action/Evaluation plan for the ITEC 7410 class. I created the Evaluating an Emerging Technology presentation as an assignment in ITEC 7445. For each of these experiences, I had to consider funding, resources, standards, training, and goals.
For the Mini Grant Proposal and the Emerging Technology presentation, I researched and recommended two digital tools for school-wide usage. In evaluating and selecting tools, I considered our school’s goals and teachers’ needs and abilities. I created proposals explaining the benefits and uses of the tools. I illustrated how these tools would improve student engagement and performance. I recommended ways that these tools could be immediately implemented in all classrooms. I addressed necessary funding, increased training, required resources, safety concerns, and digital equity based on our school's current conditions.
For the Action/Evaluation plan, I implemented policies, programs, and procedures to establish a strategic plan. I had to use the SWOT analysis results to develop a plan for more effective technology implementation in our school. In order to create a strategic plan, I established five goals and procedures to achieve each goal. When developing the goals and plan, I made sure to address the ISTE essential conditions, and local and national technology and curriculum standards. I had to take into account our school's current needs, goals, resources, funding, and policies. I recommended changes in staff development, technical support, and instructional strategies. For example, we created an extended technology team to provide the necessary training and support to help the faculty implement technology in their own classrooms that incorporated their individual content standards. Our SWOT analysis and staff survey results indicated that teachers felt overwhelmed when it came to implementing technology. They felt that they had previously been briefly introduced to various digital tools but were not provided the time or assistance for implementing them into their curriculum. Therefore, the creation of the extended technology support team was vital to the successful implementation of the vision and plan. Most of my recommendations, like the one just mentioned, utilized our current resources and staff more effectively, resulting in minimal or no additional funding.
These experiences provided me with valuable skills and insight necessary in implementing technology school wide. I discovered new and emerging technologies through my research. I analyzed these technologies to select the best ones for recommending to the faculty and facilitating in school-wide implementation. I learned how to integrate technology and curriculum standards. I discovered how to capitalize on current resources in order to improve effectiveness. I gained valuable knowledge of the inner workings of the available funding for schools and how to utilize them. These experiences required me to consider and implement changes in policy to ensure equitable access and proper staff development and support. I was able to bring about positive change in my school by sharing these experiences with my administration and local technology team. If I were to complete this assignment again, I would consult our local technology team when researching and evaluating emerging technology. Our technology team is aware of the staff’s wants, needs, strengths, and weaknesses and could have helped me pick technology that would be the most beneficial school-wide.
These artifacts lead to an increase in technology usage in the classroom school-wide. This increase will be apparent in observations. It should also increase student engagement, which will improve student performance. Classroom and school assessments should reveal this increase in student performance.