Running head: SWOT ANALYSIS

SWOT Analysis
Sonya Breaux
Kennesaw State University

SWOT Analysis
Name: Sonya Breaux
ITEC 7410, Semester: Summer 2015

ESSENTIAL CONDITION ONE: Effective Instructional Uses of Technology Embedded in Stand

Student-Centered Learning

ISTE Definition: Use of information and communication technology (ICT) to facilitate engaging approaches to le
Guiding Questions:
How is technology being used in our school? How frequently is it being used? By whom? For what purpo
To what extent is student technology use targeted toward student achievement of the Georgia Learning St
QCCs)?
To what extent is student technology use aligned to research-based, best practices that are most likely to s
engagement, deep understanding of content, and transfer of knowledge? Is day-to-day instruction aligne
best practices? (See Creighton Chapters 5, 7)
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Teachers use
Limited collaboration
Staff has the opportunity
T
Smartboard to post agenda and among teachers
to receive personal or group
teachers

material for the class.

All classrooms have at
least 2 desktops and 1 laptop.
We use MediaCast one
day a week to present news
Staff communicate via
email.
There are 2 mobile labs
available.

training.
Students use their
technology for social purposes,
post status, text, play games or
just listen to music.
Language lab is needed.
Mobile labs and
computers in the classroom
need updates.

Cherokee schools offer

several technology classes and
offer PLUs for certification.
Students have the
opportunity to be at the
language lab at least once a
month.

technolog
phones.

T
inconsist
teacher c

T
use techn
classroom

School sponsored afterschool clubs

Some teachers allow the

use of technology in class.
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Next year our school will start the STEM program. The principal has invested more money in the Science, Te
Engineering and Math classes. We will have a new science lab for next year. For the first time our school will be
of this kind of science lab. We created this year a video conferencing lab, and a math lab with Smartboard and Qu
teachers are using their Mini iPads to access them.
Teachers access grades and student information through the online program called Aspen. Each teacher has their
dissemination of information to students and parents. Some teachers are using ASPEN too for the RTI program.
The school is pursuing the State STEM certification (SIP Plan, 2013, p. 7). Overall the staff is qualified in STEM
opportunities for students at this school to interact with technology.
All instruction is based on the Common Core Standards for Math, Reading, and Language Arts. Science and Soc
on the Georgia Performance Standards.
Overall the staff at Woodstock use technology on a daily basis for the basic communication, and it is aligned to th
A weakness is the lack of consistency in the use of technology in class. It could be more collaboration in between
can learn the technology together and implement new ideas in the classroom. Some teachers are afraid of using te
so they prohibit the use of cell phones.
It would be a good idea to start to share best practices using technology might help with this issue.
Data Sources: See reference list below.

ESSENTIAL CONDITION TWO: Shared Vision

ISTE Definition: Proactive leadership in developing a shared vision for educational technology among school pe
parents, and the community.
Guiding Questions:
Is there an official vision for technology use in the district/school? Is it aligned to research-best practice
state and national visions? Are teachers, administrators, parents, students, and other community member
To what extent do teachers, administrators, parents, students, and other community members have a visio
can be used to enhance student learning? What do they believe about technology and what types of techn

SWOT ANALYSIS

encourage in the future? Are their visions similar or different? To what extent are their beliefs about thes
technology uses in the future aligned to research and best practice?
To what extent do educators view technology as critical for improving student achievement of the GPS/QC
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 tha
improved student achievement?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Woodstock High school has a
There is no consistency
There are technology clubs
Some st
shared vision of technology use. practices within the school
(like robotics) that all students
technolo
about the use of technology.
can have access.
WHS also follows the county
Lack of
mission and vision in educating More consistent expectations
Staff and students have the
classroo
the students.
need to be communicated to the opportunity to interact with
technolo
staff.
technology on a weekly basis if
All plans are aligned with
not a daily basis.
Teacher
Georgia Curriculum
Inconsistency of technology
of the fr
from room to room. For
There are online sign-up to use the coun
Teachers and administrators see example there are some
the computer labs available in
the importance of technology in classrooms with 2 mobile labs
the school and the Video
Teachers
education.
and the teachers do not use them Conferencing Lab.
practices
as they should whole there are
with new
Some staff are moving toward a others without any lab.
better use and integration of
The use
technology in education.
Students should use more the
provided
technology in classes to report
follow th
There is available a consistent
or present their topics.
training program of digital and
Some ne
technological tools for all
Inconsistent use of digital and
moving
teachers.
technological tools teachers
teachers
have been trained to use.
learn to
mastery.
Lack of follow-up about the use
of technology some teachers
have received.
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Woodstock High School is looking for implementing more the use of technology and include it in the Strategi
SIP. All teachers are aware of the expectations but most have not implemented the use of technology in class. The
is necessary to secure success in the STEM goals. Our school will fully implement the STEM program.
Staff needs to beyond thinking of technology as hardware or software (Creighton, 2003), and the principals/lea
needs to monitor and assess technology in the same way they do with curriculum.
More support and time is needed for teachers who are learning to use technology. Redistribute the mobile labs w
Data Sources: See reference list below

SWOT ANALYSIS

ESSENTIAL CONDITION THREE: Planning for Technology

ISTE Definition: A systematic plan aligned with a shared vision for school effectiveness and student learning thro
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? I
What should be done to strengthen planning?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Almost all employees at
There are not meetings to
Classes related to STEM and
WHS does
Cherokee have migrated to
evaluate the use of technology new technology is offered by
funds to ac
Office365 and they are sharing in my school.
the technology department, but SIP plan.
with each other files.
there is only one trainer per 4
No follow up after a
schools. (SIP Plan, 2014)
Inconsiste
There are department meetings technology or app or program
to implem
every month in order to
has been integrated in the
WHS has a technology
program s
communicate what are the
system.
committee where teachers can
principal expectations
meet and discuss technology to Some staff
It is needed an integration of
acquire depending on teachers
or practice
Students visit the labs when
technology in the SIP plan to
proposals.
technology
teachers book them.
be more specific with best
practices for a subject area and After 100% of staff has access
WHS has a school technology
technology integration, the
to Office365 we can share files
plan and goes in agreement
plan is not clear. (SIP Plan,
and best practices.
with the county level. (SIP
2014-2015)
Plan, 2014-2015)
Inconsistent application of
technology across grade levels
and classrooms.

Summary/Gap Analysis:
Woodstock High Schools SIP has a school-level technology plan in place and almost all the employees have
Office365. There are regular monthly meetings but the discussion about the use of technology needs to be done.
Teachers are WHS knows that the effective learning happens when effective technology is used in class (Creight
Weaknesses at WHS includes the lack of funds to accomplish with some goals in the SIP. Some teachers do not h
skills in technology in order to implement new programs.
The technology committee needs to meet more frequently and keep updated with the latest applications and new
education. Teachers need to adopt and adapt new technology in the classroom.
Data Sources: See reference list below

ESSENTIAL CONDITION FOUR: Equitable Access

SWOT ANALYSIS

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 re
support engaging, standards-based, student-centered learning?
To what extent is technology arrange/distributed to maximize access for engaging, standards-based, stude
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
Parents, teachers, students and
There are many classrooms
Teachers are trained by an
There is no
administrators us Aspen to
that need computer labs or
instructional technology coach use of techn
access students grades,
mobile labs in order to engage if requested.
information, and attendance.
the students during lessons.
Teachers ar
Instructional technology
enough to c
Parents have access to teacher
Some parents and students do coaches hold training classes in and the curr
websites.
not have access to the internet the school.
or have a computer at home.
When a new
All classrooms have a Smart
County offers free document
is necessary
Board, projector, and at least 2 Some teachers have not
cameras for the teachers who
teachers to
desktop computers and a laptop update their webpages.
attend to a technological class. or impleme
per teacher.
Teachers have Quizdom and
Students have the opportunity
Poor use of
Some teachers have Quizdom,
iPads but they are not using
to use the labs after school
laptop labs, computer labs, and them.
hours with a teacher
Units undev
Mini-iPad.
supervision. Robotics club
technology
Students have limited access, meets sometimes on Saturday. practices ch
A new lab will be available
rights restrictions such as
only for Science classes.
right clicking.
There are extended hours in the Students do
Media Center until 9pm with
come back
th
th
Students 9 -12 grades have in Limited access to instructional access to computers and the
computers o
house e-mail and Office 365 to technology specialist. Each
internet.
install in 3 computers at home. specialist has 3-6 schools to
work with, and on the top of
Most of the staff has been
that they need to check for
migrated to Office 365 and they new programs the district
have the free opportunity to
wants to buy.
install it in their house in 3
computers.
Summary/Gap Analysis:
WHS has technology readily available for all students while they are at school. The school offer after school hou
but there are some students who has no ride to come back. Teachers are using the Smartboard and new teachers a
them. The county is giving incentives for staff to be trained in different technological programs.
The limited or no access to technology / Internet at home interferes with students progress. When the family has
follow their children progress in grades and attendance. A little support is given to parents to learn how to naviga
an instructional technology coach but her time is shared with other 4 schools.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Data Sources: See reference list below

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 re
What do they currently know and are able to do?
What are knowledge and skills do they need to acquire?

(Note: No need to discuss professional learning here. Discuss knowledge and skills. This is your needs assessm
learning. The essential conditions focus on personnel, which includes administrators, staff, technology specia
However, in this limited project, you may be wise to focus primarily or even solely on teachers; although you ma
the proficiency of other educators/staff IF the need is critical. You must include an assessment of teacher proficie
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Most of the teachers are able to Teachers blame technology when There is a technology team
Teacher
maintain their website updated a lesson using technology does
available to receive proposals,
changes
not work.
analyze them and approve
Teacher use the Smartboard to
them.
Teacher
present lessons.
Teachers have trouble
even sab
troubleshooting technological
Some teachers take advantage
2003)
Almost all staff has Office365
difficulties and they just expect
of the incentives given by the
to communicate via email and
the tech person come personally county.
Lack of
collaborate.
to fix it.
who wa
There is one-to-one support.
Most teachers are able to use of
The teachers who need an
Teacher
basic computer skills such as
instructional technology coach
technolo
word processing, presentations,
just need to sign up
internet research, etc.
electronically.
Lack of
from the
Teachers are able to upload
state.
grades and take attendance with
ASPEN properly.
Summary/Gap Analysis:
WHS teachers are using the technology but in a limited way. They use the Smartboard to present their lessons,
communicate. The majority of the teachers used the skills to contact others via mail, basic word processing funct
write worksheets to copy. It is observed the lack of collaboration among teachers. Some teachers are taking advan
incentives given by the county and later they use what they learn in class.
Data Sources: See reference list below

ESSENTIAL CONDITION SIX: Ongoing Professional Learning

SWOT ANALYSIS

ISTE Definition: Technology-related professional learning plans and opportunities with dedicated time to practic
Guiding Questions:
What professional learning opportunities are available to educators? Are they well-attended? Why or wh
Are the current professional learning opportunities matched to the knowledge and skills educators need to
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 isola
topic?
How must professional learning improve/change in order to achieve the shared vision?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Teachers have access to PD
No time to reflect on technology Teachers have access to school Staff devel
Express and they can register integration.
level and county level
and then te
there for trainings.
professional development both follow-up t
There is not planning period for
during the school year and in
implementa
Teacher train with the
teachers in the same level, so
the summer. (SIP Plan, 2014)
(Creighton
technology specialist once
planning it is not easy.
every two months or when
Graduate degrees available for Teachers ar
teacher request it. (SIP Plan, Lack of technology for all
teacher to attend online. (KSU- personal tim
2014)
students to use during the
GA Tech)
training.
implementation.
County level trainings during
Teachers d
pre-planning and in the
school for t
summer.
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Woodstock High School has many ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers and support s
coaches supporting us. Some teachers struggle to integrate new technology with their lessons. There are trainings
year and they are promote via email and newsletter to the teachers. There are some teachers who are not willing t
sacrifice time away from family during the summer. (SIP Plan, 2014-2015)
Teachers are willing to share but there is not common planning periods or lunch time. We need to be better ab
towards to the goal of implementation technology within the curriculum and having times for the teachers to mee
implement.
The county offers incentives and opportunities as well for professional development but we need someone to foll
well a teacher is doing on the implementation of the technology.
Data Sources: See reference list below

ESSENTIAL CONDITION SEVEN: Technical Support

ISTE Definition: Consistent and reliable assistance for maintaining, renewing, and using ICT and digital resourc
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? A

SWOT ANALYSIS

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
in the classroom?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Kbox is an online system used to Instructional technology
There ar
report problems.
specialist is only on site once
Writing of grants for more
who can
every two months for training
technology that could be used
technolo
Technology support staff is on
or teaching.
in the school.
top of troubleshooting major
Lack of
problems within a school.
Little time to help other
Use the teacher leaders within other.
teachers by teacher leaders
the building to train other
Laptops and desktops are reliable who are consistent in using
teachers or help with a project Broken t
in their use by the students.
technology.
in the classroom.
server ca
amount o
Instructional technology
Technology staff has 4-6
The Kbox online access to
overload
specialists are available for
schools they are assigned to
download and entry of
private appointments.
and are not always on site to
problems.
Abuse o
help.
student e
Full wireless network within the
on purpo
school building.
There ar
compute

Few tech
members
schools.

Summary/Gap Analysis:
Woodstock High School has few connectivity problems when it comes to the internet and being able to access
given time. There are periods of downtime but these are usually wide-spread over the school and not room specif
limited capacity and needs to be updated if new labs are going to be installed. The technology department takes l
solving the problems. If there is a hardware problem it can take a month.
Teachers have also learned how to help each other when the support staff is unavailable. The support staff can
access computers if needed to help the teacher troubleshoot some difficulties. All technology problems are plac
system for the techs to prioritize what needs to be.
The support staff does a great job helping each school mitigate technology problems as efficiently as possib
all about patience on the teachers part.
Data Sources: See reference list below

ESSENTIAL CONDITION EIGHT: Curriculum Framework

ISTE Definition: Content standards and related digital curriculum resources
Guiding Questions:

SWOT ANALYSIS

To what extent are educators, students, and parents aware of student technology standards? (QCCs/NETAre technology standards aligned to content standards to help teachers integrate technology skills into da
and not teach technology as a separate subject?
To what extent are there digital curriculum resources available to teachers so that they can integrate tech
GPS/QCCs as appropriate?
How is student technology literacy assessed?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
There many digital resources Few assessments for students
Free Online sources for
Not all st
for core teachers to use for the to show current technology
standards-based and projectdo not kn
curriculum. Online streaming
abilities.
based learning the state
technolog
functions, Science, etc.
curriculum.
state leve
Weak computer skills among
standards
Each department can order
all students at all grade levels. Office 365 offered by the county
resources for their department
can be used to integrate
Teachers
using the annual budget,
technology and develop a more
basic tech
effective communication and
everyday
collaboration.
No consis
current st
functionin
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Teachers in my school are not aware of the national and state technology standards that exist for the students,
and administrators. Since they are unaware of the standards they are not included within students lesson that are
technology integration in mind.
At WHS all lessons are linked to the curriculum standards but not to the technology standards. A group of tea
with the job of reviewing the lessons and modify them to reflect the current technology standards available. Th
level lessons to reflect those requirements. All teachers have access to Office365 which would allow them to rem
projects.
Data Sources: See reference list below

SWOT ANALYSIS

10
References

2014-2015 School Improvement Plan [School Improvement Plan]. (2014). Woodstock, GA:
Woodstock High School
Creighton, T. (2003). The principal as technology leader. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press,
Inc.