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Running Head: SHARED VISION & RATIONALE
Shared Vision and Rationale
Amy Alfonso
ITEC 7410 Technology Leadership & Vision in Schools
Fall 2017
Dr. Julia Fuller
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SHARED VISION & RATIONALE
Shared Vision and Rationale
Vision Statement
The overall vision for Cobb County School District is “One Team, One Goal,
Student Success.” For Shallowford Falls Elementary school our current vision is
“Relationships, Rigor, and Relevance for All.” After careful review and evaluation of
both district and local visions, our shared vision is “Shallowford Falls Elementary School
will provide opportunities for effective device integration coupled with differentiated
professional development in order to provide a holistic learning experience for our
students.”
Rationale
To develop our shared vision, various forms of data and discussions occurred
between staff, students, administration and community stakeholders. In reviewing the
specific data from the Technology Needs survey, many responders noted that allowing
students opportunities to explore learning through student-directed means was something
that was lacking at Shallowford Falls. This in turn promoted discussion within the
Technology Team to dig deeper to find out why these particular opportunities were not
occurring often. The final thoughts were that students did not have enough access to
devices and staff demonstrated various levels of understanding in regards to effective
device implementation.
According to Nick Sutton’s, who is a principal and educator, article titled What
Research Says about 1:1, in order for effective technology integration to occur quantity
does not outweigh quality. This means that just providing access to devices does not
effectively implement technology to provide rich learning experiences. Professional
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SHARED VISION & RATIONALE
development that is relevant and meets the needs of the staff is key to having success
with 1:1 technology integration. In addition, professional development opportunities
need to provide not just how to use something, but why there is a need to use something
effectively. After discussions with our Technology Team, it has been stated that there is
a great need to provide this professional development in the form of various learning
levels in order to allow for effectiveness.
Providing device access is something that is difficult for our school, since we
currently only have two grade-levels who utilize Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). In
discussing this particular solution to device access, many staff members expressed that
they were unsure of how to properly implement this, since they had not had a large
amount of experience with this strategy. Others stated that BYOD may require more
time from instruction to incorporate with regards to our younger students and
understanding how to use their devices properly. The Technology Team decided that to
alleviate some of this concern, we would utilize our district level technology support to
visit our classrooms and assist with teaching the basics of BYOD to our students.
One particular strategy that seemed to resurface throughout our discussion, was
the ability to utilize our own expertise within our school and contact outside sources
when needed. There is a great amount of effective technology integration currently
occurring in our school, and discussing how we can assist other staff members effectively
we first decided to create instructional videos on various levels when implementing
BYOD in classrooms. Our videos will range from the basics of implementing BYOD in
the classroom to incorporating more students directed learning projects using the BYOD
program. These video instructions will include commentary of best practices as well as
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video clips of actual lessons, and will be housed on our shared server to be access
whenever needed.
Diversity Considerations
Although Shallowford Falls Elementary currently has less that 8% of its students
on free or reduced lunch, there still needs to be considerations for students who are
lacking access to devices. Equitable access is a need that our school and district needs to
address, since all students may not have the available means of accessing technology at
home. According to the article Technology & Equity in School: Deconstructing the
Digital Divide, providing just access to technology for SES students needs to be coupled
with the importance of how that technology is used. The contribution to student learning
is equally important as providing access. In thinking about the needs of our students, our
Technology Team has decided to create parent videos that can be accessed from teacher
blogs in order to provide information as to the importance of integrated technology.
These videos will consist of how to support student learning at home as well as classroom
clips of what technology is integrated in the classroom. Since access may be an issue,
posting the video on teacher blogs allows for it to be accessed from any device with an
internet connection.
Providing initial access is also something the Technology Team discussed in
creating open computer lab times at school, where students and parents can access
school devices to assist students who may be in need. This would allow students to
access online spaces in order to complete classroom projects and assignments. After
initial start up of the open computer lab, the Technology Team also decided that a few
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times a week a teacher can be available to assist students and parents in addressing their
technology needs.
Stakeholder Roles
In order for our vision to become reality, all stakeholders will need to assist in
implementing our plan to assist all of our students in enhancing their learning through
effective technology integration. Since every stakeholder's goal is to increase student
achievement, each stakeholder will play a vital piece in the implementation of our plan.
First and foremost, our administration will need to help raise awareness with
students, staff and parents of the importance of effective technology integration in the
classroom. The expectation will need to be in place for teachers to be utilizing effective
technology integration through the use of the BYOD program.
Teachers will also need to play an integral part in effectively implementing the
BYOD program. Since BYOD eliminates some of the device issues, teachers should be
able to increase the amount of technology integration into their lessons. Since the overall
goal is to provide a holistic learning experience for all students, teachers will need to also
utilize the best practices videos to assist with the correct professional development
needed to be successful.
Our students will be included in the success of this plan. In additional to
following the already established procedures for technology in the classroom, they will
also be responsible for following our BYOD guidelines. Since there will be individual
instruction for the uses of the BYOD program, students will have a clear understanding
of what is expected of them.
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SHARED VISION & RATIONALE
Lastly, our parents will play an enormous role in helping to integrate our
technology vision. Reminding their children about the importance of the BYOD
guidelines and accessing the parent videos for reference will be a vital piece to our
puzzle. Expressing how well the program works for their children to our community
partners will be another vital piece.
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References
What the Research Says about 1:1. (n.d.). Retrieved from
[Link]
Warschauer, M., Knobel, M., & Stone, L. (2004, 09). Technology and Equity in
Schooling: Deconstructing the Digital Divide. Educational Policy, 18(4), 562-
588. doi:10.1177/0895904804266469
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Appendix
1.) Our school has a clear, defined vision for technology integration. Strongly agree,
agree, disagree, strongly disagree
2.) How often do you feel technology is utilized to enhance student learning?
Everyday, bi weekly, weekly, monthly, never
3.) What types of technology instruments/devices are currently being utilized at our
school? (Check all that apply) iPads, laptops, desktop computers, iRespond,
Apple TV
4.) What programs do you currently feel comfortable using? (Check all that apply)
Office 365, GoogleDoc, PowerPoint, Excel, many iPad apps
5.) I feel supported with technology issues that arise in our school. Strongly agree,
agree, disagree, strongly disagree
6.) I feel lessons and student learning are enhanced by integrated technology in the
classroom? Strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree
7.) How often are students able to focus on real-life issues using technology to
problem solve? Every day, once a week, once a month, once a year
8.) How often do students have opportunities to explore real-life issues that are
directed by the student? Every day, once a week, once a month, once a school
year
9.) How often do students get to collaborate and connect with other students outside
of our school? Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, never
10.) I feel stakeholders have adequate time to collaborate, share ideas, and
evaluate classroom technology uses. Strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly
disagree