1.

2 Strategic Planning - facilitate the design, development, implementation,

communication, and evaluation of technology-infused strategic plans.

Reflection

I created a Technology Needs Assessment for Hillgrove High School using a strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) template. The basis for evaluating the schools
standing was ISTEs essential conditions for using technology effectively for student learning.
Conditions include using standards-based, student-centered learning, creating a shared vision,
planning for technology with equitable access by skilled personnel, and having proper technical
support.

The SWOT analysis is a combination of developing a technology-infused plan, with ideas for
implementation as well. Also inherent in creating a strategic plan is an evaluation of current
practices of the school. I have communicated my findings to my principal, recommending the
creation of a committee to build a technology plan for the school.

The overarching themes in the evaluation find that Hillgrove has the potential to be a leader in
Cobb County through technology use. Members of the staff are getting trained in the area,
faculty are willing to learn new things, and the principal has a desire to propel the school
forward with innovative methods. Also easily recognizable in the evaluation is a missed
opportunity with professional development shortcomings. The new plan design calls for more
purposeful strategies that focus on adult learning principals to be implemented, including more
task oriented learning.

If, before the analysis was complete, I had to predict what I would find, surely professional
development would have been mentioned. However, after the analysis was complete, I had a
greater understanding as to why there are shortcomings in the area. I also did not understand
the great potential at our school for improvement. I came to the realization that the group of
teachers getting advanced degrees in instructional technology is spread out among many
departments. This is a wonderful opportunity to help diffuse new ideas to the entire staff. A
change that I would make to the analysis is interviewing more people for their ideas on the
essential conditions. This was an assignment for a class during the summer time, so there is not
as deep a pool of resources to pull from when analyzing a schools current reality.

I hope that the analysis goes towards school improvement. I have sent my findings to my
principal and offered myself to be a part of a team to focus on our strengths and expand upon
our opportunities for success, while minimizing our weaknesses. Even if this vision does not
come to fruition, our principal will at least be aware of one perspective on the current reality of
our school regarding technology use.