1.1 Shared Vision
Candidates facilitate the development and implementation of a shared vision for the use of technology in teaching, learning, and leadership.
(PSC 1.1/ISTE 1a)
Artifact: Shared Vision
Reflection:
The Shared Vision is an overview of Dug Gap’s vision on how technology is incorporated into our school’s vision and mission for improvement. This document explores the creation of a shared vision that includes the voices of teachers, parents, students, administrators, community members and technology leaders. Dug Gap’s faculty, students and parents worked together to develop our school vision during the 2018-2019 school year. Afterwards, I evaluated how technology could be incorporated into the vision. I then worked with teachers to facilitate and develop a more precise understanding on how technology can be used to change teaching and learning at our school. Lastly, I analyzed how to help parents who have access to technology at home for their children and those who do not have access to it in order to support the academics.
As a teacher at Dug Gap Elementary, I was responsible for collaborating with my colleagues to develop a vision for our school. I then took it a step further to ensure that the vision was effective enough to incorporate technology. My personal observations along with survey responses from teachers of various grade levels were used to develop a more precise shared vision. These responses allowed me to grasp the view of teachers around the school. These were key in redeveloping the vision.
To facilitate the implementation of the shared vision, I explained the roles of each stakeholder. In the document, you will find that I believe the school leaders should ensure that teachers had the proper professional learning that will help them use technology effectively to provide real world instruction, and authentic learning experiences. After teachers are exposed to continual professional development, their role can then be to implement technology regularly in the classroom and differentiate instruction for the individual needs of students.
After completing this artifact, I learned that it crucial to develop a shared vision so that all stakeholders understand and know how to implement strategies to achieve the vision. I also learned that counterparts such as parents, students and community members are important in developing and implementing a strong, solid shared vision. A vision cannot be achieved if strategies are only being implemented during the school day, so parents and community partners must contribute in the process of creating a shared vision so they are aware of what should be done while students are away from school. At the time I produced this artifact, I had access to the school and district’s technology plans, but they have not been updated recently. Although the next update was not going to occur until after the end of the school year, I still think it would have helped me see if any changes or suggestions would have been made to the school’s and district technology plan and vision. I would also change the time this artifact was created. The shared vision was created during the spring months, which for elementary schools means preparing for standardized testing along with many end of the school year events and activities. Although I did have access to meet and collaborate with the various stakeholders, I felt it would have felt less rushed if it was done at a different time of the school year. These perspectives would have given me a better chance at developing a stronger shared vision.
The work that went into creating this artifact allowed leaders and teachers to come together and have an important conversation about our school’s vision and how technology plays a role in achieving the vision. Now that teachers and leaders know and understand the vision, professional development and instructional strategies have been put in place to align with the vision. This in return, has produced an impact in the way our students are accessing the technology available for them at our school to help them achieve academically.