Managing Change: The Integration of Instructional Technology

Topics

Needs Assessment

Purpose and theoretical underpinnings

Strategic planning

Early actions: nine strategies

Information exchange

Ongoing support and assistance

Collective vision

Precautions

Needs Assessment The way things are and the way they should be

How teachers integrate technology into their lessons

How students use technology

How administrative staff uses technology, accessing

data for decision making, student information system

reporting, communication tools, information gathering,

and record keeping

Potentials - to improve student achievement

Purpose

Embraced the premise of anticipating and managing

change, and of proactively committing time, energy

and resources to riding the wave of forward

momentum, rather than being drowned beneath it.

To turn ideas into action.

Theoretical Underpinnings Where we got our Ideas?

Strategic Planning

Realized that a well-crafted, flexible, strategic plan

is a powerful way of saying "no" to whimsical, ill-

conceived, or politically-motivated ideas, from

whatever quarter they may emanate.

Endorsed a strategic planning process in order to

make informed decisions about the future before the

future either forced the decisions or rendered them

obsolete.

Early Actions

Identified our tech vision, mission, convictions,

beliefs, planning assumptions, learning outcomes,

marketing strategies and nine detailed committee

strategies

Process involved careful forethought, hard work and

the effective harnessing of all available talent. The

three-year plan helps us see the larger picture, reset

priorities on a continuing basis, and avoid confusion.

Purpose Convictions and Beliefs – a partial list answering “why”

• Supports and enhances the curriculum and student achievement

• Improves efficiency, saves time and money

• Frees teachers to focus on teaching

• Helps students take ownership of the learning

• Allows faculty to engage learners and deliver instruction more

effectively

• Skilled use of technology enhances ISC’s appeal to prospective

students/teachers

• Compatible with student development of "21st Century Skills“

• Structured use of mobile technology helps to ignite passion for

learning, build confidence and allow students to develop self-efficacy

as learners

Strategies 1-3 Broad courses of action

1. Rationale, Curriculum, Instructional Obj.

2. Mobile Devices and Hardware Specifications

3. Software Considerations and Specifications

Strategies 4-6 Broad courses of action

4. Network Infrastructure, Facilities,

Resources

5. Professional Training and Educ.

Opportunities

6. Finances & Administration

Strategies 7-9 Broad courses of action

7. Community Relations

8. Reflection and Assessment

9. Stakeholder Participation

Actions Taken Two years after writing the strategic plan

• iPads issued to all grade 6-12 teachers

• iPads required in grades 6-12

• Classroom Management Plan

• Infrastructure enhanced

• Apps purchased

• Instructional tools

Information Exchange Two years after writing the strategic plan

• Conference attendance - (i.e. Innovate 2013, Google Summit)

• In-house PD – trainings, workshops and collaborative sessions

• Collegial support - relevant articles curated and shared

• Regular guidance – tips, consultations, inspiration

• Demonstrations and modeling – teacher to teacher

• Emphasis on innovation – experimentation, pilots

• Currency – staying abreast of educ. research and emerging trends

Ongoing Support & Assistance Two years after writing the strategic plan

• Instructional Tech Coordination –integration, work flow

• Technical support team – troubleshooting and guidance

• Administrative support – encouragement and engagement

• Resourcing - staff, time, equipment, materials and supplies

• Collegial facilitation – PLCs, department support, demos

Organizational Framework ISTE’s Five Cogs of Instructional Technology

• Digital citizenship - understanding rules and etiquette

• Doorways to information – access points to a rich world of prose, poetry and media

• Technology at the point of instruction – sound pedagogical use

• Technology at the point of learning – a rich, robust, blended approach

• Technology in professional practice – to communicate, report, record

Developments Two years after writing the strategic plan

• Periodic evaluations – discussion, surveys, critiques

• Tech vision rewritten – dynamic digital-age learning culture and invisibility envisioned

• Strategic Plan revised - to reflect experience and change

• Educational apps in use - charted and monitored

Collective Vision for Tech Integration

… in which technology becomes invisible- “blended learning”

“Systematically embed the use and study of technology into multiple, varied and authentic curricular and extra-curricular functions, blurring the line between academic enterprises and those engaged in outside the schoolhouse. In this context, identification and integration of ever-changing technology tools is transcended by an approach that establishes technology as a seamless medium for student information queries, problem-solving and product development. Teachers actively and routinely elicit technology applications for all manner of utilities, exercises and growth experiences. Technology, regardless of form, is perceived as a process, product, tool and subject of study inextricably intertwined with all others at the learner’s disposal.”

Precautions “Measures taken in advance to prevent something

dangerous, unpleasant, or inconvenient from happening.”

• Move ahead after conducting a needs assessment – SWOT

• Move after articulating assumptions, convictions and beliefs

• Move ahead after crafting a Tech Strategic Plan

• Move ahead after making informed decisions

• Move ahead in phases

• Harness all available talent

• Bring people along