Standard 1.1 Shared VisionCandidates facilitate the design, development, implementation, communication, and evaluation of technology-infused strategic plans. (PSC 1.2/ISTE 1b)
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This vision statement presented in this artifact is representative of my vision for technology in education in general and for McConnell Middle School in particular. The success of each department’s vision at McConnell is determined by how and where that vision intersects with and contributes to our school’s shared vision and goals. This technology vision statement was developed for ITEC 7410. This assignment was, in many ways, pivotal for me as a technology leader in that it forced me to stare into that deep, dark truthful mirror far longer than I have in year’s past. I found myself questioning many of my assumptions and in many cases reevaluating long-held beliefs about the nature of instructional technology.
From a leadership perspective the implementation of a shared vision is the primary determinant of a school’s success or failure. Using research, survey results and other data I was able to develop a long-term view for how technology could best serve the learning needs of students and contribute to that vision. The final plan was shared with leadership and was formally adopted for the school and, in so doing, codified as the school's vision for the use of technology in teaching, learning, and leadership.
Developing a shared vision for technology from the standpoint of a student for the first time in ten years provided me with more than the chance to simply articulate my beliefs about technology use in education. I was also forced to weigh and defend those beliefs with research and data. Setting this vision down on paper allowed me to formulate the steps to reach that vision. It also helped reveal when a misstep was being made. In the future I plan to seek more involvement from staff and students in facilitating the development of a shared vision for technology and, by circulating that vision to a wider audience, I hope to involve a greater number of stakeholders in the implementation of that shared vision.
Developing and writing technology vision statements has been one of my responsibilities for as long as I can remember. I will be the first to admit that, at times, these expectations were treated as exercises and, on occasion, were sent to the parties that had requested them and promptly forgotten. This assignment has demonstrated that setting the vision down and then sharing it openly accomplishes two things. First, it helps me provide more nuanced leadership by declaring what direction we should go alongside of what we value and believe as a department. Second, in publishing that document, we invite everyone to hold us accountable. In making this vision available to everyone as our touchstone, we also increase transparency.
From a leadership perspective the implementation of a shared vision is the primary determinant of a school’s success or failure. Using research, survey results and other data I was able to develop a long-term view for how technology could best serve the learning needs of students and contribute to that vision. The final plan was shared with leadership and was formally adopted for the school and, in so doing, codified as the school's vision for the use of technology in teaching, learning, and leadership.
Developing a shared vision for technology from the standpoint of a student for the first time in ten years provided me with more than the chance to simply articulate my beliefs about technology use in education. I was also forced to weigh and defend those beliefs with research and data. Setting this vision down on paper allowed me to formulate the steps to reach that vision. It also helped reveal when a misstep was being made. In the future I plan to seek more involvement from staff and students in facilitating the development of a shared vision for technology and, by circulating that vision to a wider audience, I hope to involve a greater number of stakeholders in the implementation of that shared vision.
Developing and writing technology vision statements has been one of my responsibilities for as long as I can remember. I will be the first to admit that, at times, these expectations were treated as exercises and, on occasion, were sent to the parties that had requested them and promptly forgotten. This assignment has demonstrated that setting the vision down and then sharing it openly accomplishes two things. First, it helps me provide more nuanced leadership by declaring what direction we should go alongside of what we value and believe as a department. Second, in publishing that document, we invite everyone to hold us accountable. In making this vision available to everyone as our touchstone, we also increase transparency.