ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

Name: Clint Parker Semester: Spring 2022

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,
CCSs)?
● 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?
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

Teachers are encouraged to use Teachers feel a little weak in Teachers meet in weekly PLC Teachers feel lack of time to
tech to gather data for weekly some areas of technology even to work on different data that plan for newer tech ideas.
PLCs. with the modules. was collected.
Some student feel that the
Each Teacher has access to Not face to face PD so some ILS and ITS are two resources different diagnostics are waste
tech for the whole class. feel lower than others. that feel under used at times. of time.

Teachers either use I-Ready

(Math) or RCD (ELA) as data Teachers use different software
collectors. for diagnostics and give
different test to collect data for
Teachers use tech to encourage comparing growth.
student involvement in the
lessons.

Teachers are encouraged to

work on monthly tech modules
to learn new ideas.
 ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

Summary of Results/Conclusions:
Sixes Elementary teachers are comfortable for using the technology they have. Although they are not a one to one school they are
able to have tech for everyone during the school day in most grades. In 4th and 5th grade teachers have a set of 26 Chromebook and a
iPad cart to share on grade level. This allows most teachers with 28-30 students to have a device in each student’s hand. Teachers
use the different software’s to collect data for students and use this data at weekly Professional Learn Community meetings that
grade levels do weekly. Most data is collected on I-Ready or RCD for ELA or math. One threat that we at Sixes face is that student
could have a lack of engagement on different diagnostics. If students aren’t giving their best then the data could be off and not
accurate.

Recommendations from Analysis:

One thing I would recommend for the threat of students not giving their best on the different diagnostics would be to make it more
competitive. If the school would allow the students to work and the somehow make the grade averaged together this would allow
students to create a competitive atmosphere.

Another suggestion I would say is for teachers who still aren’t getting the full effect of the new tech platforms, they can sit and mee
the ITS for a one on one training. Teachers can work with the specialist and build the confidence with different tech platforms to be
able to engage more students in class.

Supporting Sources: Cherokee County School District Future Blueprint:

https://www.cherokeek12.net/docs/district/depts/4/2021-22%20future%20ready%20tech%20plan.pdf?id=26481

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
 ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

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?
● To what extent do educators view technology as critical for improving student achievement of the GPS/CCSs? To preparing
tomorrow’s 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

Cherokee County has a plan
for each school year that
labeled as a blueprint for a 5
year plan.
CCSD also use the technology
in the classroom as an instant
feedback for students and
teachers.
All students and faculty have
access to the Microsoft
platforms for communication
and productivity.
In the districts Technology
Blueprint they have a
continuum of what is the
responsibility for each level of
schooling.
Cherokee County School
District is currently not one to
one with tech.
Teachers know of the
Technology Blueprint, but it
isn’t widely looked at other
than to reference it.
Cherokee County School Some teachers wonder how to
District sees the technology in keep up with the students on
the school as a way to help the their own device to keep them
future of their students. on task.
CCSD looks to use the tech to
elevate the students to 21
century learners and engage
more students in the
classroom.
CCSD is not one to one but
implemented the Bring Your
Own Device as they navigate
not having the funds to full
supply each student with their
own device.
 ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

Summary of Results/Conclusions:
In Cherokee County I feel that they technology blueprint really does give an insight to what the district wants to do with tech as it
relates to education. I do feel from talking to teachers what would really help in this Shared Vision is to get the Blueprint out there
for teachers and stakeholders to see. If we use the blueprint like we do for the School Improvement plans I feel that technology
would really grow in the district. From other conversations teachers are grateful for the amount of tech that the district has, but
where we go to get different items and different ideas is what is lacking.

Recommendations from Analysis:

My recommendation for this section would be as a coach to really check in on teachers and ask if they understand where we are
going as a district. We get so caught up on using the data that we get from these devices that we can get stagnant on what else they
are capable of. If the county is serious about using the different technologies and having their learners be ready with 21st century
skills then we must get our vision out to everyone and really drive and strive for that goal.

Supporting Sources:
Cherokee County School District Future Blueprint: https://www.cherokeek12.net/docs/district/depts/4/2021-22%20future
%20ready%20tech%20plan.pdf?id=26481

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?
● In what ways does your school address the needs of diverse populations in the school or district to include how race,
gender, socio-economic, and geographic diversity giving consideration to how these factors commonly affect K-12
students’ access to school and beyond-school access to high-speed Internet, modern computing devices, software,
knowledgeable technology mentors, culturally-relevant digital content, and other affordances critical to technology literacy
acquisition.
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
 ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

There is a District level plan
for technology and technology
roll out.
Sixes Elementary has Laptop
carts that teachers can use
daily.
Students have access through
these laptop carts, and also
have access to iPad carts as
well.
Some teachers at Sixes do not
have enough devices for a
whole class at one time.
(Mainly Lower Grades)
Teachers when asked don’t
strictly plan for just technology
use outside of collecting data
from diagnostics.
Teachers have ILS that work
the clusters and can reach out
with teachers one on one.
Teachers aren’t versed on the
the ISTE standards at any
level.
Some teachers say that there is
no time outside of planned PD
days to learn about the new
technology.

Summary of Results/Conclusions:
In Cherokee County I think the district is really headed in the right direction. As stated in their plan they’re wanting to be able to get
all the planning for the teachers. The ITS in the cluster makes themselves available for the teachers to be able to work with and
really want to help them plan different fun activities in the classroom. The access for teachers and students to technology is a great
reason why we must help teachers plan for each item of tech they are using.

Recommendations from Analysis:

If I had to recommend anything is to ask teachers to reach out to different learning communities and different teachers who may be
strong in using their technology. Also really pushing for teachers to utilize either coaches or an ITS to help them think and
brainstorm different ways to help them with their planning. Also I would ask the district to at least have the teachers and staff know
about the different ISTE standards to help them understand good technology standards. ISTE can be a great tool when it comes to
working and planning to use technology.

Supporting Sources: Cherokee County School District Future Blueprint:

https://www.cherokeek12.net/docs/district/depts/4/2021-22%20future%20ready%20tech%20plan.pdf?id=26481
 ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

ESSENTIAL CONDITION FOUR: Equitable Access (Specifically Low SES and gender groups)

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?
● To what extent are strategies needed to address equity issues among Low SES and gender groups? What are examples of
strategies that would benefit your school/district? (required)
● Do students/parents/community need/have beyond school access to support the shared vision for learning?
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

Stakeholders can ask the
county for different hotspot
access for the students who
need to be remote.
Teachers and students are
provided with Office 365
accounts.
Teachers have reliable laptops
for schoolwork.
Majority of the students have
access to tech in the classroom, device can rent one from the
but lower grades are still
lacking the class sets.
Families who don’t have a
school.
Funds from different PTA
fundraisers to raise funds for
technology.
County can work with
stakeholders to fundraise for
technology.
Some parents may have a
language barrier and not have
access to the resources.
Some of the students who are
ELL maybe the students who
need the extra access.

Students with special needs

teachers find different ways to
make the access equitable.
 ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

Summary of Results/Conclusions:
In my findings with the scope of accessibility for the students and technology I concluded that the county is doing well. I feel that
the pandemic really had districts thinking of ways to make the internet accessible to all. This was made possible from stakeholders
being able to step up to the plate and make sure that everyone was able to have some access to the technology. Before the Covid 19
pandemic I don’t think these types of ideas would have been put into place, but we do grow stronger out of the hardships.

I feel that there might still be a gap for some students who may be ELL and may have a language gap at home. If these students are
not able to communicate with their family they may have more gaps on top of their regular language gap.

Recommendations from Analysis:

A recommendation for the gaps to be closed would make sure teachers are aware that there are gaps for accessibility. Teachers can
do stuff as easy as extending due dates, and maybe set aside time for those who lack accessibility to be able to get time to do
assignments at school. Teachers can have list of free Wi-Fi hotspots and may allow them to get to those places if internet is not
possible at home.

Supporting Sources: Cherokee County School District Future Blueprint:

https://www.cherokeek12.net/docs/district/depts/4/2021-22%20future%20ready%20tech%20plan.pdf?id=26481

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?

(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
 ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

proficiencies.)
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

Teachers are trained in
different platforms to collect
data…I-Ready (Math) RCD
(ELA)
Teachers are skilled in using
Microsoft Software.
85% of teachers are confident
with using their Promethean
boards in their classroom for
instruction.
With the modules being online
teachers feel that they don’t get
the full experience of PD for
the new tech.
Teachers may be taught a lot
of different tools, but never
feel that they master them.
Teachers have a way to use the Time can be a big deal to learn
tech to make flipped classroom new things.
lessons with Youtube and
Flipgrid. Teachers battle with the on
task behavior when students
Teachers can learn from ITS are on technology.
one on one with a scheduled
meeting.
Teachers use different games
to make learning fun like
Blookets, and Kahoots.

Monthly technology modules

are created for the ITS to keep
teachers up to date with the
different tech ideas.

Summary of Results/Conclusions:
When it comes to teachers at Sixes Elementary they are well versed in their technology use. Teachers have access to a variety of
different resources and teachers are willing to get time when they can to train on new tech. Teachers are adjusted to the tech thanks
to the difficult times of Remote learning. Teachers were forced to learning the technology and really allowed them to find new
skills and different software to reach students. Teachers can reach out to the ITS to get a one-on-one meeting if they need any
refreshers.

Recommendations from Analysis: Cherokee County School District Future Blueprint:

https://www.cherokeek12.net/docs/district/depts/4/2021-22%20future%20ready%20tech%20plan.pdf?id=26481
Recommendations I have for already skilled teachers is that make sure you are willing to continue to mold. As we move forward
there we will always be having to compete with other instantaneous ideas in the real world and our students want to be doing the
 ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

same in the classroom. I try to make sure I always meet students where they are with my YouTube channel being an example. They
love the idea of their teacher being a creator on his own channel, but that is what is needed to teach a 21st century learner. The more
a teacher can mimic the outside world with their skills in the classroom, the more engaged students will be.

Supporting Sources: Cherokee County School District Future Blueprint:

https://www.cherokeek12.net/docs/district/depts/4/2021-22%20future%20ready%20tech%20plan.pdf?id=26481

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?
● 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/Learning Forward)?
● 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

Teachers are asked to attend
monthly technology modules
that are created by the
technology department in
Cherokee County.
There are Professional
Development days that are
built into the school calendar.
Teachers are not able to plan
vertically with other grades.
Some PLCs may be less
productive due to timing of
different parts in the unit.
Teachers can schedule one-on-
one sessions with ITS.
Teachers can add to their tool
kit different certifications like
Microsoft Innovative Teacher
and Apple Teacher.
70% of teachers who were
asked felt that they may be
wasting time on some
Professional Development
because the lack of follow
through.

Teachers meet in weekly PLCs

 ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

with their grade level to

discuss formative and
summative data.

Summary of Results/Conclusions:
One thing that Sixes Elementary does well is try to provide the opportunities for development when possible. Different
certifications are offered like Microsoft Innovative Teaching and Apple teacher certifications are just a few the staff at Sixes have a
chance to join. Teachers participate in different PD during the time in the professional development days and are assigned to go to
different learning opportunities provided by the county.

Recommendations from Analysis:

From what I was able to see during my reflection I feel that Cherokee County School District does well when it comes to
Professional development for teachers. I do feel that the district should make it a priority to have technology a focus for some of
their PD days, but they want to make sure that all teachers are getting what they need during these times.

As far a the teachers feeling that they are wasting time when it comes to the PD, this is natural. One thing I learned in my Coaching
class is that when we are coaching, if the coachee is not getting any say, it is hard to call it productive. If I were incharge of
different PD I would send a quick survey and ask what teachers need. Sixes Elementary administration is very good at asking
teachers what they need to avoid this and I feel it is making progress.

Supporting Sources: Cherokee County School District Future Blueprint:

https://www.cherokeek12.net/docs/district/depts/4/2021-22%20future%20ready%20tech%20plan.pdf?id=26481
 ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

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

Cherokee County School
District has a great
Instructional Technology
Department.
ITS are assigned to a school
cluster.
Tech department is in charge
of creating the technology
modules for teachers to watch
and refresh skills on different
platforms.
Sometimes depending on
Volume, help can take time to
get to the teacher and students.
Some Hardware may get
damaged and takes a long time
to get fixed.
If able the county could hire Teachers who are not strong in
more positions to have quicker tech wouldn’t be able to
response times and have a ITS trouble shoot small problems.
in every school.
If not hire more ITS find
strong teachers who are willing
to help with technology.

Teachers, Students, and

stakeholders have a Help Desk
they can call to get IT help on
technology.
 ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

Summary of Results/Conclusions:
My findings on the technological support I feel was affected for the better by the pandemic. When school systems were shut down
the counties really went into save mode when it came to their Technology departments. Cherokee County School District is no
different. They have a great support for teachers and students. Teachers have ways to put in the tickets and really get someone with
in a couple of days. The technology department also builds and distributes different modules to allow them to keep teachers up to
date with the different up to date changes on different software.

Recommendations from Analysis:

One recommendation I would give to the school district would be to have the ITS have almost a deputy for teachers to go to when
they can not be there. If there were teachers who could help trouble shoot different small hang ups then this would take some of the
pressure off the ITS when they can’t be in the building.

Supporting Sources: Cherokee County School District Future Blueprint:

https://www.cherokeek12.net/docs/district/depts/4/2021-22%20future%20ready%20tech%20plan.pdf?id=26481

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? (ISTE Standards for Students)
● 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/CCS as appropriate?
● How is student technology literacy assessed?
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
- Students know that - Technology standards - Have time to teach the - If students and parent
they are collecting the are not known to standards to teachers lack the knowledge of
 ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

data points from I-
Ready and RCD
- The technology that is
provided to the county
is checked for the
standards based
instruction.
- All parties involved
have access to the
content and the
resources that the
county uses.
teachers and students.
- Have resources
and students to allow technology resources
them to understand then they are falling
about the tech behind.
standards.
available to all students
with wifi packs and
other resources for
those lacking access to
internet.

Summary of Results/Conclusions:
Overall Cherokee County School District has a great start to the resources they do use. They are aligned to the Georgia Standards of
Excellence, and really prepare the students for the Georgia Milestones, as one teacher stated. The teacher have a good
understanding of the resources they have, but when asked about the specific technology standards, they were not as aware.
Technology resources like I-Ready and RCD are the resources that teachers use for diagnostics and check for growth during the
school year.

Recommendations from Analysis:

For my recommendation I would have the school system really help teachers and staff know what the ISTE standards are. They
should be delivered as a way to help teachers plan and have engaging lessons. This can be done with ITS or even students of a
Instructional Technology Program like Kennesaw States ITEC program. Teacher do a great job of using their resources to collect
different data and they use it to show growth. Students use them with ease can use the platforms and even have different practice
points they can work with.
 ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions

Supporting Sources:

References

Cherokee County School District Future Blueprint: https://www.cherokeek12.net/docs/district/depts/4/2021-22%20future%20ready

%20tech%20plan.pdf?id=26481
ITEC 7410/EDL 7105 SWOT Analysis Template for Assessment of Eight ISTE Essential Conditions