SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?

Name: Morgan Akin

ITEC 7410, Semester: Spring 2015

ESSENTIAL CONDITION ONE: Effective Instructional Uses of Technology Embedded in Standards-Based,

Student-Centered Learning
ISTE Definition: Use of information and communication technology (ICT) to facilitate engaging approaches to learning.
Guiding Questions:
How is technology being used in our school? How frequently is it being used? By whom? For what purposes?
To what extent is student technology use targeted toward student achievement of the Georgia Learning Standards (GPSs,
QCCs)?
To what extent is student technology use aligned to research-based, best practices that are most likely to support student
engagement, deep understanding of content, and transfer of knowledge? Is day-to-day instruction aligned to research-based
best practices? (See Creighton Chapters 5, 7)
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Supports available to help
Barriers that should be broken
Things that exist to help that
Threats to achieving goal
implement tech plan that
down to achieve goals of plan
have not previously utilized
already exist in school
County does not seem
Very limited number of
District encourages a
to hold school
Interactive white boards
computer labs that are
BYOT plan and could
accountable for
in some classrooms
usually booked for
prove very beneficial
integrating technology
statewide testing
for the students
into curriculum
Mounted projectors in
Some classrooms do not
Many of our career
Lack of funding to
almost every classroom
have
reliable
wireless
readiness
classes
in
provide every
New digital coach has
connection
particular could utilize
classroom with
recently been providing
technology
to
create
interactive whiteboards
Some plug-ins need to
professional
authentic projects based
and other devices
development for
be updated on teacher
on
their
course
offerings
teachers
computers
Most teachers could
Digital coach facilitates
Most technology use is
create classroom
technology training for
drill-and-practice
websites/blogs for their
device-specific sessions
Technology standards
students to access
Some teachers are
are not addressed with
outside of class
working towards
neither faculty nor
Bringing technology
flipped classrooms
students
standards into the
classrooms for both

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?

teacher and student use

There is a current
district technology plan
that should be more
visible in the school
building

Summary/Gap Analysis:
Technology devices are somewhat visible around the school. Ninety-six percent of teachers report using technology on a daily basis to
the benefit of their classroom (Apalachee High School 2015) with things like email, attendance, and grade reports. However, many of
the devices remain in classrooms where their full potential is not being realized. Lack of training for the faculty in using the devices in
their classrooms produces a lack of technology use. Also, the lack of reliable wireless in many parts of the building keep many faculty
from being able to allow students to use their personal devices in the classroom.
There is a county wide technology plan that could easily be adapted to fit our school. If the administration or digital coach could
present this plan to the faculty, there would be a more unified vision and end goal for everyone to strive to accomplish.

Data Sources:
Apalachee High School (2015). Technology at AHS Survey.

ESSENTIAL CONDITION TWO: Shared Vision

ISTE Definition: Proactive leadership in developing a shared vision for educational technology among school personnel, students,
parents, and the community.
Guiding Questions:
Is there an official vision for technology use in the district/school? Is it aligned to research-best practices? Is it aligned to
state and national visions? Are teachers, administrators, parents, students, and other community members aware of the vision?
To what extent do teachers, administrators, parents, students, and other community members have a vision for how technology
can be used to enhance student learning? What do they believe about technology and what types of technology uses we should
encourage in the future? Are their visions similar or different? To what extent are their beliefs about these ideal, preferred
technology uses in the future aligned to research and best practice?

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?

To what extent do educators view technology as critical for improving student achievement of the GPS/QCCs? To preparing
tomorrows workforce? For motivating digital-age learners?
What strategies have been deployed to date to create a research-based shared vision?
What needs to be done to achieve broad-scale adoption of a research-based vision for technology use that is likely to lead to
improved student achievement?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
School system has just
hired a teacher to also
work as a digital coach
within the school
The county school
system has a technology
plan
Administration is
working with digital
coach to provide
professional learning
for faculty
There are personnel at
the county level that are
tracking technology
progress in the county

The school has no

known technology plan
in place
Although the county has
a technology plan, it is
not discussed or
mentioned at the school
In the future, the digital
coach is going to need
to be a full time position
to better support the
faculty in their
technology
implementation

The countys plan

seems to be well
thought out and should
be taken into account at
the school level
With a new digital
coach, hopefully a clear
technology plan and
goals will be made
public to the faculty,
students, and
community in the next
few years
The personnel in charge
of technology at the
county level could come
share the vision and
process for the county
initiatives with the
faculty

As the school aspires to

create a school wide
technology plan,
community members
and business
stakeholders may not
effectively
communicate what they
would like to see in the
plan
Teachers that are not
aware of the county
wide goals do not see
technology as a priority
for their classroom
Lack of accountability
from the county and the
administration could
allow technology
integration fall to the
wayside

Summary/Gap Analysis:
According to the ISTE Lead and Transform Diagnostic Tool, Apalachee scored a thirty-seven percent in the category of a shared
vision (2015). That is simply because the school does not have a plan or goals to strive for in technology. While there has been
progress in acquiring a digital coach, it will be important in the next couple of years to develop a strong plan of technology within the
curriculum and it must be developed with the input of everyone who could possibly be affected by this integration.
With personnel at the county level tracking technology progress within the school system, it might be effective to have them come to
the school and share the county vision with the faculty. The more it is discussed and tracked, the more emphasis teachers are likely to

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?
give it in their instruction. Also, it will give the school a place to begin in creating their own technology plan in the coming years. It
will be important in creating the plan to make clear, measurable goals. Progress towards the goal should be well communicated and
regularly tracked at both the county and school level to maintain enthusiasm and confirm its importance within the school.
Data Sources:
International Society for Technology in Education (2015). ISTE Lead and Transform Diagnostic Tool. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/lead/lead-transform/diagnostic-tool February 24 2015. (Results at bottom of SWOT Analysis)

ESSENTIAL CONDITION THREE: Planning for Technology

ISTE Definition: A systematic plan aligned with a shared vision for school effectiveness and student learning through the infusion of
ICT and digital learning resources.
Guiding Questions:
Is there an adequate plan to guide technology use in your school? (either at the district or school level? Integrated into SIP?)
What should be done to strengthen planning?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats

Digital coach is
working towards
creating measurable and
attainable goals for our
school in regards to
technology integration.
There is a county wide
technology plan

The county wide

technology plan is not
ever discussed or used
as a tool to gauge
progress in the school
Teachers already feel
overwhelmed and
frustrated at the lack of
training they have
received for devices
they are being expected
to use

Using the county

technology plan gives
us a wonderful head
start to developing a
school plan that is
aligned to our district
goals
Many other schools
have technology plans
that can be used as a
start to edit to best fit
Apalachees needs in
technology integration
Having a digital coach
and many faculty

Lack of support or
awareness among the
community could
reduce the amount of
support the technology
plan receives

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?
members skilled in
technology use could
create mentor tech
coaches for teachers
that are hesitant to get
on board with the plan
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Apalachee High School scored a thirty-three percent in this area on the ISTE Lead and Transform Diagnostic Tool. There is no
mention of technology within the schools improvement plan. However, it could easily be incorporated as a strategy to reaching some
of the goals that are mentioned in the plan. Also, with the position of digital coach still being so new (just came this semester), the
possibility for our technology plan to grow and become more established in the school and its improvement plan in the future years.
Data Sources:
International Society for Technology in Education (2015). ISTE Lead and Transform Diagnostic Tool. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/lead/lead-transform/diagnostic-tool February 24 2015. (Results at bottom of SWOT Analysis

ESSENTIAL CONDITION FOUR: Equitable Access

ISTE Definition: Robust and reliable access to current and emerging technologies and digital resources.
Guiding Questions:
To what extent do students, teachers, administrators, and parents have access to computers and digital resources necessary to
support engaging, standards-based, student-centered learning?
To what extent is technology arrange/distributed to maximize access for engaging, standards-based, student-centered
learning?
What tools are needed and why?
Do students/parents/community need/have beyond school access to support the vision for learning?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats

Some faculty members

have online blogs/sites
for students to access
virtual lessons and notes
from class

Many students do not

have personal devices
nor internet at home
So far, equitable access
seems not to be a

More parents need to

know about Parent
Portal (the online site
for them to view their
students grades)

Families that cannot

provide their students
with personal devices
for school need to have
opportunity to gain

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?

priority at the school

access from the school
A system is in place for
There needs to be a
to give their students
parents to sign up to
clear section of the
the same opportunities
have their students
schools technology
grades sent to their
plan that addresses
phones each time a
equitable access since
grade is posted
so many of our students
do not have their own
There is a handful of
devices/internet at home
teachers that have been
The data team that
experimenting with the
flipped classroom
already exists at the
method of instruction
school could refurbish
old phones and iPods
There are a few sets of
for student check-out
class clickers that are
like a library book
compatible with
interactive whiteboards
in certain classrooms
Summary/Gap Analysis:
With Apalachee High school being a Title I school and having a vast majority of the student population receiving free and reduced
lunches, the need for equitable access is real. There are many students within my personal classroom that do not have technology at
home nor internet access outside of the school building. The need is there, and the school is aware of it. It will be imperative as the
technology plan is developed that the element of equitable access in the plan is thoroughly analyzed and tackled.
The data team at the school has talked about refurbishing old electronic devices to allow students to check them out for classwork.
However, this needs to be better advertised and the need assessed to know how many of these devices need to be available. Gathering
this data would be extremely beneficial.
Data Sources:

ESSENTIAL CONDITION FIVE: Skilled Personnel

ISTE Definition: Educators and support staff skilled in the use of ICT appropriate for their job responsibilities.
Guiding Questions:
To what extent are educators and support staff skilled in the use of technology appropriate for their job responsibilities?
What do they currently know and are able to do?
What are knowledge and skills do they need to acquire?

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?
(Note: No need to discuss professional learning here. Discuss knowledge and skills. This is your needs assessment for professional
learning. The essential conditions focus on personnel, which includes administrators, staff, technology specialists, and teachers.
However, in this limited project, you may be wise to focus primarily or even solely on teachers; although you may choose to address
the proficiency of other educators/staff IF the need is critical. You must include an assessment of teacher proficiencies.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats

96% of teachers have

58% of the faculty
If more PD sessions
With other initiatives
reported that they use
report that they would
where infused with the
going on in the school
the technology in their
like more training on
technology we hope to
and district, it may be
classroom every day
the technology that is
incorporate in the
easy to let technology
(Apalachee High
already in their
classroom, faculty
stay on the back burner
School 2015)
classroom (Apalachee
would then be exposed
High School 2015)
to the technology more
Professional
frequently by example
development in a large
of its usefulness
group setting is offered
every other week
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Fifty-eight percent of the faculty wanting more training on the technology that is already in their classroom. With technology already
in place, it is imperative that the faculty with access to it have the skills necessary to use it. Right now, there are a few technology
training sessions. However, if other professional learning topics could be presented through the use of technology, faculty would be
exposed to the many uses of the technology they have in their room by having it modeled to them in the professional development
session. Technology should remain the medium of instruction.
Data Sources:
Apalachee High School (2015). Technology at AHS Survey.

ESSENTIAL CONDITION SIX: Ongoing Professional Learning

ISTE Definition: Technology-related professional learning plans and opportunities with dedicated time to practice and share ideas.
Guiding Questions:
What professional learning opportunities are available to educators? Are they well-attended? Why or why not?

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?

Are the current professional learning opportunities matched to the knowledge and skills educators need to acquire? (see
Skilled Personnel)
Do professional learning opportunities reflect the national standards for professional learning (NSDC)?
Do educators have both formal and informal opportunities to learn?
Is technology-related professional learning integrated into all professional learning opportunities or isolated as a separate
topic?
How must professional learning improve/change in order to achieve the shared vision?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
There are professional
development sessions
every other week
Most sessions are
directly related to our
school improvement
plan

Because technology is
not a part of the SIP,
there are less
professional learning
sessions regarding it
Most learning sessions
are formal grab and
go and not very
collaborative
There is little follow up
if any to the sessions to
hold faculty
accountable to putting
the new knowledge to
use

Professional
development sessions
are wonderful
opportunities to model
authentic, collaborative
group lessons. This
model should be
implemented more
Having some sort of
follow up response from
the faculty to gather
data on the sessions
effectively to encourage
growth in the area of
technology

Summary/Gap Analysis:
Right now, there is a steady schedule of professional development sessions at Apalachee High school. Within these sessions, if
technology could be used as the tool for learning, it may produce more buy in from teachers as they benefit directly from the use of
the technology. There must also be in place some sort of incentive program to move teachers to action.
Data Sources:

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?
ESSENTIAL CONDITION SEVEN: Technical Support
ISTE Definition: Consistent and reliable assistance for maintaining, renewing, and using ICT and digital resources.
Guiding Questions:
To what extent is available equipment operable and reliable for instruction?
Is there tech assistance available for technical issues when they arise? How responsive is tech support? Are current down
time averages acceptable?
Is tech support knowledgeable? What training might they need?
In addition to break/fix issues, are support staff available to help with instructional issues when teachers try to use technology
in the classroom?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats

On-site IT personnel
that is very capable at
technology support and
troubleshooting
Other faculty members
are also able to act as IT
assistance for each other
as their knowledge of
technology systems is
sufficient

There is not enough

support for the various
computer labs, over 150
teacher computers, and
a wireless network
(only one designated
person)
Many plug-ins and
operating systems are
very out of date making
the use of some
technology tricky or
impossible for teachers

There are a handful of

faculty that are studying
technology currently
that will soon have
much more knowledge
of technology systems
to respond to some of
the needs of the faculty
Some students possess
the knowledge to help
troubleshoot and fix
technology glitches
within the classroom

As the school grows

and moves closer to
incorporating
technology into the
classroom, more
problems and
complications are
expected to arise

Summary/Gap Analysis:
With a growing school and more technology than ever, our IT person is going to need major help in the upcoming semesters of school.
She is constantly getting requests from teachers and computer labs for various technology issues/updates. As skilled as she is in what
she does, she does work efficiently but most days still cannot get it all done. Having a digital coach does allow for our IT specialist to
hand off instructional technology questions and requests to that position. However, with the growing popularity and need for more
technology in the classroom, the needs will only grow for support.

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?
Creating a mentorship system for those teachers that need more consistent support would alleviate some of the strain always sending
ITS requests to one person in the building.
Data Sources:

ESSENTIAL CONDITION EIGHT: Curriculum Framework

ISTE Definition: Content standards and related digital curriculum resources
Guiding Questions:
To what extent are educators, students, and parents aware of student technology standards? (QCCs/NET-S)
Are technology standards aligned to content standards to help teachers integrate technology skills into day-to-day instruction
and not teach technology as a separate subject?
To what extent are there digital curriculum resources available to teachers so that they can integrate technology into the
GPS/QCCs as appropriate?
How is student technology literacy assessed?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats

There are some courses

taught in computer labs
that support the
technology standards
and relate them to the
course content
Some textbooks that are
used by the school have
digital resource cites
online for students to
practice/access course
content online to use on
a day-to-day basis in
and out of class

Technology standards
are not taught in the
general education
classrooms
Most faculty do not
have knowledge of the
technology standards
for students nor for
themselves

Student technology
literacy could be taught
within each content area
as it relates to the
content standards
Students could be
introduced to the
technology standards by
multiple teachers in
order to better educate
the students on what
they are
Standards could be
posted in computer labs

Lack of recognition of
the technology
standards, impedes
progress toward a
technology-rich
learning experience for
faculty and students
alike

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Apalachee High School has a lot of room to grow in this critical element of technology usage. Currently, technology standards play no
role in the classrooms outside of those with computer labs. Some content courses do offer digital resources for their students to access
that allow for students to engage in learning digital skills and navigation outside of the classroom. There are a good number of
teachers that take their students to the computer labs to integrate technology training for their students into their project-based
assignments. It should be taken one step further with teachers and students discussing the role that the technology standards play in
each assignment.
Data Sources:

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?
International Society for Technology in Education (2015). ISTE Lead and Transform Diagnostic Tool. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/lead/lead-transform/diagnostic-tool February 24 2015.