Laila Taylor

ITEC Portfolio Artifact Reflection

1.2 Strategic Planning

Candidates facilitate the design, development, implementation, communication, and
evaluation of technology-infused strategic plans.
1. Briefly describe the artifact and the context in which it was created. What was/were
your individual contribution(s)?
The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis was completed
to determine the current condition of technology integration at Hahira Middle School. In
completing the SWOT Analysis, we were charged with examining the strengths and
weaknesses of our school in terms of ISTEs Eight Essential Conditions (ISTE, 2012).
The SWOT Analysis is a reflective and systematic analysis of technological needs
involving data collection for providing recommendations and planning for improvement
(Creighton, 2003, p. 39). This was an individual class project; however, I collaborated
with both the faculty and administration in my school when gathering information for the
SWOT.
2. Explain how this artifact demonstrates mastery of the standard/element under which it
is placed.
Standard 1.2, Strategic Planning establishes the expectations for design, development,
implementation, communication, and evaluation of technology-infused strategic plans.
This artifact demonstrates my ability to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
and threats related to instructional technology in order to develop and implement a
strategic plan for improvement. This artifact observes weaknesses and plans out steps for
improvement which are outlined in the artifact for each of the eight ISTE Essential
Conditions (ISTE, 2012). The information outlined in this analysis was utilized to help
create the Hahira Middle School strategic plan. In order to create the plan this artifact
was used as one of the observable instruments that was used to gather information about
Hahira Middle and SWOT information. To complete this analysis my administrator
encouraged me to meet with both the technology team and data team at my school. The
members consists of certified staff who have an interest in the committee they are on.
During the design and development of our schools technology plan, we included all
stakeholders ideas and concerns. We gathered data through surveys, the current SIP, and

Laila Taylor

ITEC Portfolio Artifact Reflection

worked collaboratively on the development of the plan. To implement the plan, the
school planned on extending the Professional learning technology day, LOCOTECHNO,
based on the surveys to create more learning sessions. It is critical that these trainings
provide support, follow-up, and feedback to the staff. The results of the SWOT analysis is
being used to improve the ISTE Essential Conditions that are weak in our school in order
to ensure full implementation of the technology plan. The technology committee is
working to communicate the plan to all stakeholders. The plan was presented to during
the HMS tech night and parents were given a copy of the plan and were able to ask
questions about its implementation and impact on student learning. In order to evaluate
the plan my administrator plans on gathering data from the Georgia Mile stones test data
and from teacher feedback.

3. What did you learn from completing this artifact? What would you do differently to
improve the quality of the artifact or the process involved in creating the artifact?
This artifact was very beneficial and eye opening to me by examining each of the eight
essential conditions and looking at the current reality of my school. The SWOT analysis
allowed me the chance to work with the academic coach, principal, and data team. Some
issues that arose during the assignment was the fact that more time was needed to truly
see the plans relevance or not.
4. How did the work that went into creating the artifact impact school improvement,
faculty development, or student learning? How can the impact be assessed?
The biggest impact from the SWOT analysis was that based on the weaknesses that we
observed Hahira Middle School had our first tech night for students and parents. All of
the faculty was required to be there and each team presented technology that students use
in the classroom to our parents. We presented the plan to the parents that night and asked
for feedback at that time as well. The parents and teachers were very receptive and
excited about what is going on in our school.