ITEC 7410 was a very eye opening experience for me. This class took me on a journey. Prior to beginning this class, I did not expect to learn as much as I have. Prior to this class I had never laid eyes on my School Improvement Plan, nor did I really care to. I think many of the teachers I work with feel the same way. I thought that the only people who it really impacted was the people who took time to write it and the person at the Georgia Department of Education who had to read it. Now, I have a totally different view of the SIP and the vision for the school. When done correctly the SIP and vision should be a force for change and a roadmap of where to go and how to get there. Once I really looked at my SIP and district plan I realized that there were very important elements missing. Neither of them specifically addressed technology. How does that happen in a school district that boasts a 1:1 iPad program?
I began researching SIP's and technology plans to figure out how they should be written. I also read many, MANY school visions in order to get a better understanding of what a vision should be. The research I did informed the Shared Vision that was created in this class. I had plenty on information to think about while working on my shared vision. When I met with people at my school to interview them for the shared vision, there were some differing opinions that we worked through together. I started with our old vision which did not have much though put into it. Not one teacher at my school could tell me anything about the vision, who created it, or even where to find it. I believe my school to be a good school, but how much better would we be if we were all moving in the same direction and working toward the same goal? We will soon find out. This year my school will be using the shared vision that was created in this class.
Once the shared vision was created, I conducted a SWOT analysis, an action/evaluation plan, and a technology grant proposal. The SWOT analysis had me take an even deeper look into specific strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Once that was completed I created a plan to see that action was taken based off the SWOT. The final assignment was a technology grant proposal that will be submitted to Lowe's when the submissions for the grant comes this Fall. Coming out of this class I have a completely different view of the SIP and vision of the school and what an important role they should play. I am excited to see the changes that will be made because of the assignments completed in this class.
I began researching SIP's and technology plans to figure out how they should be written. I also read many, MANY school visions in order to get a better understanding of what a vision should be. The research I did informed the Shared Vision that was created in this class. I had plenty on information to think about while working on my shared vision. When I met with people at my school to interview them for the shared vision, there were some differing opinions that we worked through together. I started with our old vision which did not have much though put into it. Not one teacher at my school could tell me anything about the vision, who created it, or even where to find it. I believe my school to be a good school, but how much better would we be if we were all moving in the same direction and working toward the same goal? We will soon find out. This year my school will be using the shared vision that was created in this class.
Once the shared vision was created, I conducted a SWOT analysis, an action/evaluation plan, and a technology grant proposal. The SWOT analysis had me take an even deeper look into specific strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Once that was completed I created a plan to see that action was taken based off the SWOT. The final assignment was a technology grant proposal that will be submitted to Lowe's when the submissions for the grant comes this Fall. Coming out of this class I have a completely different view of the SIP and vision of the school and what an important role they should play. I am excited to see the changes that will be made because of the assignments completed in this class.