4.

1 Digital Equity
Candidates model and promote strategies for achieving access to digital tools and
resources and technology-related best practices for all students and teachers. (PSC
4.1/ISTE 5a)
Artifact: SWOT Analysis
Reflection:
The artifact I used for this standard, was I analyzed the current technology needs
assignment at my school through the SWOT format in 7410 and reported it to my
principal. It analyzed our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It was
an effective way to explore a way to change through the inquiry.
The SWOT analysis was an inquiry into Hillgroves technology access and use. The
first analysis was to equitable access to technology. The report found that students
do have equitable access to technology. At the time the report was compiled the
students at the school had computer labs and WI-FI access throughout the school.
The labs were set up to model an environment to promote technology use. Since
the analysis a technology committee has been established, and now each
department has a laptop cart with 30 laptop computers to use in addition to the
labs already in existence. This is great because now a teacher can check out a cart
and perform her activity in class. Now, teachers have a resource for digital tools
and resources to carry out their creative, engaging lesson plan. I have used them
in class for activities I designed on a Weebly. The technology related best
practices utilized in my classroom are collaborative learning and project-based
learning. The students loved the project and inspired me to create more. The
second inquiry in the SWOT analysis was the vision for technology in the school.
Again, at the time of the analysis this was definitely a weakness. Hillgrove seem to
have a few teachers who used technology but not enough of the teachers were
willing to take that risk. Now with the addition of the laptop carts, more and more
teachers are designing lesson with technology. This is great for the students and
has helped some teachers reenergize their lessons. The vison the school had
promoted can now be realized.
In conducting this analysis, I learned a great deal about digital equity and the digital
divide. I have learned if you have them, they will use them! Another words when
the carts become available more teachers started teaching with technology. Moving
forward, I learned an analysis like this needs to be done twice a year. Once, to help
find the weaknesses and then again to correct or make improvements in the
technology.
The SWOT analysis was a big influence on school improvement. Now, the equitable
access to technology is available. There are still improvements that need to be
done. More carts are going to be needed and professional development for
teachers who are unsure or unwilling to implement technology into their lesson to
increase student achievement will have to be arranged. This was an authentic
assignment that brought real results to my school.