5.1 Needs Assessment
Candidates conduct needs assessments to determine school-wide, faculty, grade-level, and subject area strengths and weaknesses to inform the content and delivery of technology-based professional learning programs. (PSC 5.1/ISTE 4a)
Artifact: ITEC 7410 SWOT Analysis
The artifact U am using to conduct needs assessments to determine school-wide, faculty, grade-level, and subject area strengths and weaknesses to inform the content and delivery of technology-based professional learning programs is the SWOT Analysis I completed in ITEC 7410. The purpose of this artifact was to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of technology use based on the right essential conditions. In addition to addressing these essential components, the project provides a detailed summary of each area and recommendations for professional learning based on the current reality and data provided though the ISTE Diagnostic Tool to assess school-wide technology development.
The artifact supports the process of conducting a needs assessment to inform key stakeholders of the areas of strength, weakness, threats and opportunities to use and develop technology improvements school-wide. This artifact analyzes the current state of the eight essential conditions: Effective Instructional Uses of Technology Embedded in Standards-Based, Student-Centered Learning, Shared Vision, Planning for Technology, Equitable Access, and Skilled personnel, Ongoing Professional Learning, Technical Support and Curriculum Framework. Ongoing Professional Learning is an important essential condition because it can inform all staff of areas of improvement and more importantly, lead the process of developing and conducting a school-wide delivery of professional learning based on the needs assessment to improve instructional practice. In this analysis, teachers notice a change in professional learning developments to support the new reading and writing curriculum processes to address literacy achievement. Most teachers want stakeholders to understand the time it takes to commit to this new literacy program and express frustration in using assessment technology that is not as familiar to them due to the quick implementation. Teachers determine they need more practice with the assessment technology the upcoming school year. In the summary of this analysis, the greatest needs assessment criteria relies on teachers comfort in utilizing the technology to leverage literacy data. More professional learning and practice time on the assessments will alleviate the teachers concerns in this new assessment roll out process. The recommendation is to provide teachers with practice opportunities in a manner that does not overwhelm them.
The SWOT Analysis provides an in depth breakdown of a needs assessment for technology use school-wide. The ISTE Diagnostic Tool provides a process for determining the next steps for technology implementation. I was unaware of this tool before the completion of this artifact. This toll performs a diagnostic that ensures technology utilization is effective and beneficial for teachers. The analysis determines teachers are overwhelmed and need professional development in this area.
School improvement and faculty development is at the core of this analysis. This reflection only summarizes one of the essential conditions based on greatest area of need. If a technology leader goes in with this knowledge, over time these specific essential conditions become stronger through the SWOT Analysis. Overall growth of faculty professional learning based on teacher input will benefit any school improvement plan if the goals align and key stakeholders share and tackle each component appropriately.
The artifact supports the process of conducting a needs assessment to inform key stakeholders of the areas of strength, weakness, threats and opportunities to use and develop technology improvements school-wide. This artifact analyzes the current state of the eight essential conditions: Effective Instructional Uses of Technology Embedded in Standards-Based, Student-Centered Learning, Shared Vision, Planning for Technology, Equitable Access, and Skilled personnel, Ongoing Professional Learning, Technical Support and Curriculum Framework. Ongoing Professional Learning is an important essential condition because it can inform all staff of areas of improvement and more importantly, lead the process of developing and conducting a school-wide delivery of professional learning based on the needs assessment to improve instructional practice. In this analysis, teachers notice a change in professional learning developments to support the new reading and writing curriculum processes to address literacy achievement. Most teachers want stakeholders to understand the time it takes to commit to this new literacy program and express frustration in using assessment technology that is not as familiar to them due to the quick implementation. Teachers determine they need more practice with the assessment technology the upcoming school year. In the summary of this analysis, the greatest needs assessment criteria relies on teachers comfort in utilizing the technology to leverage literacy data. More professional learning and practice time on the assessments will alleviate the teachers concerns in this new assessment roll out process. The recommendation is to provide teachers with practice opportunities in a manner that does not overwhelm them.
The SWOT Analysis provides an in depth breakdown of a needs assessment for technology use school-wide. The ISTE Diagnostic Tool provides a process for determining the next steps for technology implementation. I was unaware of this tool before the completion of this artifact. This toll performs a diagnostic that ensures technology utilization is effective and beneficial for teachers. The analysis determines teachers are overwhelmed and need professional development in this area.
School improvement and faculty development is at the core of this analysis. This reflection only summarizes one of the essential conditions based on greatest area of need. If a technology leader goes in with this knowledge, over time these specific essential conditions become stronger through the SWOT Analysis. Overall growth of faculty professional learning based on teacher input will benefit any school improvement plan if the goals align and key stakeholders share and tackle each component appropriately.