Tech-Forward Vision: Setting Priorities, Goals, and Measuring Success in Schools

Outline

I. Introduction (5 minutes)

Content: Welcome and Session Objectives
Engagement: An icebreaker activity will be conducted where current digital initiatives and one challenge faced by participants will be shared.
Process: Initial insights will be gathered using a polling tool to foster interaction.

II. Evaluating the School's Technology Journey (10 minutes)

Content: Interactive self-assessment tools will be presented for the evaluation of the school’s strengths and areas of growth in digital learning and innovation.
Engagement: A guided self-evaluation activity focused on the school’s technology journey will be completed by participants.
Process: Peer discussions will be encouraged in small groups to share reflections and insights from the self-evaluation.

III. Articulating a Vision for Digital Learning (15 minutes)

Content: The importance of aligning a digital vision with the school’s mission will be discussed.
Engagement: A framework for crafting a vision statement will be provided.
Activity: Reflection on what success looks like in digital initiatives, distinguishing between tactics and strategy. Key indicators of success will be jotted down and shared in pairs.
Process: Vision statements will be drafted by participants, and feedback will be shared.

IV. Setting Priorities and Goals (10 minutes)

Content: Strategies for establishing clear priorities and measurable goals will be presented.
Engagement: A goal-setting template will be introduced for participant use.
Process: One short-term and one long-term goal based on the vision will be set in small groups.

V. Drafting a Strategic Plan Outline (10 minutes)

Content: Components of an effective strategic plan and evaluation cycle will be outlined.
Engagement: Examples of sample successful strategic plans
Process: An outline of the strategic plan will be collaboratively created in small groups.

VI. Sharing and Feedback (5 minutes)

Content: Vision statements and strategic plans will be presented by participants to the larger group.
Engagement: A constructive feedback session will be facilitated where questions can be asked, and suggestions can be provided by peers.
Process: A structured feedback protocol will be used to ensure input is received on ideas.

VII. Conclusion and Next Steps (5 minutes)

Content: Key takeaways will be summarized, and ongoing collaboration will be encouraged.
Engagement: Resources for further learning will be provided, along with a feedback form to be completed by participants.
Process: Connection via a shared online platform (e.g., Padlet) will be invited to continue discussions post-session.

Supporting research

A guide to creating a Digital Strategy In Education

https://www.netsupportsoftware.com/webresources/brochures/Digital_Strategy_Guide_v3.pdf

Technology Planning and Policies, Technology in Schools: Suggestions, Tools, and Guidelines for Assessing Technology in Elementary and Secondary Education

https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2003/tech_schools/chapter1.asp

Implementation of Education Technology in Schools and Colleges. Research report. Department of Education, UK.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63355d2ee90e0772dc965174/Implementation_of_education_technology_in_schools__and_colleges.pdf

Innovation in Schools. Apple Education.

https://books.apple.com/us/book/innovation-in-schools/id1259499861

Elements of Leadership. Apple Education

https://books.apple.com/us/book/elements-of-leadership/id1267616976

5 tips to get started with technology planning

https://iste.org/blog/5-tips-to-get-started-with-technology-planning