Claire Self

Standard 1.2 Candidates facilitate the design, development,

implementation, communication, and evaluation of technology-infused
strategic plans. (PSC 1.2/ISTE 1b)
In the spring of 2015, as part of the course work for ITEC 7410, I used the SWOT
(strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) template to complete a
technology needs assessment. I created a survey and sent it out to staff members,
students, and parents to develop an overall picture of technology use at Hillgrove
High School. I also examined the schools strategic plan as well as interviewed
members of the administrative staff to fill in any remaining questions I had about
the current reality at the school.
Completing the SWOT analysis required me to gather information from all
stakeholders to truly see how technology is being used at Hillgrove High School.
Part of completing the SWOT analysis required me to make recommendations to
develop a technology-infused strategic plan. I was able to start the process of
designing and developing a plan for better use of technology in all classrooms at
Hillgrove.
Recommendations were communicated to the principal in subsequent meetings.
As a result of my recommendations, more support staff members have been hired
for Hillgrove and more attention is being paid to the appropriate use of tools
available at the school. The technology committee has been charged with taking an
inventory of all tools and identifying teachers that need more assistance based on
the implementation of the technology plan created by myself and other teachers
on the technology committee. It is now our job to facilitate the use of technology
based on the strategic plan as well as evaluate the uses so we can continue to
grow and produce 21st century learners.
Before completing this assignment, I thought our school was doing a decent job of
using technology. Completing this technology needs assessment showed me just
how far we had to go in order to fully use technology in meaningful ways in the
classroom. We are underutilizing so many resources and a large part of this is due to
the fact that many teachers are unaware of what is available. The teachers that are
aware of the valuable resources struggled to find access to them because of lack of
computers and internet. If I could redo this assignment, I would spend more time
talking with teachers and getting their input on recommendations because so many
of them have great ideas and they are in the classes so they know what they need.
The completion of the SWOT analysis allowed me to identify tools and resources
that were not being used or were needed in order to successfully implement
technology in the classroom. Since completing the SWOT analysis, the school has
added a technology support person to assist teachers with the use of technology in
the classroom. His sole purpose is to assist teachers and he has been in several
classes to observe, has met with several teachers, and also is doing professional
learning sessions to reach teachers throughout the building. As more teachers

implement technology effectively, students will become more engaged which will
lead to greater student performance.