In the spring of 2014, I was invited to visit another school within the Archdiocese to gain knowledge of their technology plan. They have already implemented a 1:1 device program and invited my principal, my school's technology manager, and a teacher representative to come and discuss their journey.
It was my technology manager who passed the invitation onto me to join. She and I agreed that since I was working to not only update the technology plan but helping to provide a teacher's point of view to the new journey my school is taking in regards to technology, it would be beneficial for me to join in visit.
This was the first time I was going to be spending a day off campus with my principal and technology manager, but I later found out that it was not going to be my last. Throughout the day we were able to meet with the other school's principal, their technology manager, and both students and teachers.
What I learned most during that visit was the importance of support and optimism when it comes to change. A technology plan is so much more than a document. It should help to support the environment a school sets to create. As talk with both administration and staff throughout my visit it was apparent that they both trusted each other and were there to not criticize each other both to support each other. The mission of creating an 1:1 program that enhanced the curriculum and overall learning environment was clearly shared by all.
The visit gave me both inspiration and guidance in both the updating of my school's technology plan and my overall perspective in 1:1 device programs. From the visit I was given valuable advice on the wording of the technology plan. I was reminded to make sure that the mission and the goals stated in the technology plan were clear and easy to be understood by both administration, faculty, staff, stakeholders, and outside community members. I was provided with examples of Acceptable Use Policies written for both lower level grades and middle level grades. These were great because it is important to keep moral and ethical use of technology in mind when discussing and planning any change in technology. This was also great because currently my school has the same Acceptable Use Policy for both lower level grades and middle level grades. As we begin to implement the 1:1 device program in the middle school, we need to begin to evaluate the Acceptable Use Policy and ensure its appropriateness for the program. I included the Acceptable Use Policies that I saw during my visit. These were posted in several areas throughout the school for all to see.
The visit really helped me understand the importance of staying optimistic during a time of change. The power of positivity truly does make a difference when you are asking for buy in from others.
It was my technology manager who passed the invitation onto me to join. She and I agreed that since I was working to not only update the technology plan but helping to provide a teacher's point of view to the new journey my school is taking in regards to technology, it would be beneficial for me to join in visit.
This was the first time I was going to be spending a day off campus with my principal and technology manager, but I later found out that it was not going to be my last. Throughout the day we were able to meet with the other school's principal, their technology manager, and both students and teachers.
What I learned most during that visit was the importance of support and optimism when it comes to change. A technology plan is so much more than a document. It should help to support the environment a school sets to create. As talk with both administration and staff throughout my visit it was apparent that they both trusted each other and were there to not criticize each other both to support each other. The mission of creating an 1:1 program that enhanced the curriculum and overall learning environment was clearly shared by all.
The visit gave me both inspiration and guidance in both the updating of my school's technology plan and my overall perspective in 1:1 device programs. From the visit I was given valuable advice on the wording of the technology plan. I was reminded to make sure that the mission and the goals stated in the technology plan were clear and easy to be understood by both administration, faculty, staff, stakeholders, and outside community members. I was provided with examples of Acceptable Use Policies written for both lower level grades and middle level grades. These were great because it is important to keep moral and ethical use of technology in mind when discussing and planning any change in technology. This was also great because currently my school has the same Acceptable Use Policy for both lower level grades and middle level grades. As we begin to implement the 1:1 device program in the middle school, we need to begin to evaluate the Acceptable Use Policy and ensure its appropriateness for the program. I included the Acceptable Use Policies that I saw during my visit. These were posted in several areas throughout the school for all to see.
The visit really helped me understand the importance of staying optimistic during a time of change. The power of positivity truly does make a difference when you are asking for buy in from others.