Learning+Goal+3+-+Sideline+Project+and+SWOT+Analysis


 * Learning Goal 3 - Sideline Project and SWOT Analysis **

Sideline Project: To identify current strengths and weaknesses of staff in relation to ICT and develop appropriate Professional Development and learning opportunities. It is hoped that by doing this the teaching staff in particular will be more motivated to integrate ICT's into their classrooms as their knowledge and skills base is increased.

This sideline project came about after a discussion with my current Principal after I was approached by a few teachers about how I use ICT in my classroom. I am a new employee to DET in NSW, having taught in the Catholic Education system for the past 16 years. I am also in quite a unique position as a supernumery (an extra staff member who teaches a class everyday but is not assigned a permanent class or regular schedule) and I have had experience in every class in the school - including an MC (Multi Category) class of 4 students. I am the first contact for relief, I manage classes when teachers are away for extended periods (ie Long Service Leave) and I support classroom teachers as the need arises.

When I commenced my employment at the beginning of the year my only experience with IWB's were with Promethean ActivBoards. DET schools use SMART Boards in their schools so I had to learn new hardware and software tools so I could effectively use them for instruction. I took the initiative to teach myself and I accessed wikis, read articles and blogs and followed online tutorials through the SMART Exchange website to guide me in my learning and understanding of this tool. I use the IWB every day in all of my classes and I am able to quickly assemble notebook files for use during the day (including multi-modal elements) usually while the class is watching me!

On many occasions I have discovered a new website or web 2.0 tool and I have shown it to another class member. It was through this sharing with others that I was asked by my Principal to randomly demonstrate a new tool on the staff room IWB during recess when staff were having a quick break. Generally speaking my current teaching colleagues are not very tech savvy and rarely integrate ICT in their classrooms. They rarely use the IWB for instruction, or collaborate online - even reading and sending emails is a rarity. My presentations were informal and brief, whose main purpose was to introduce a new tool for the teachers to consider a practical use for in their classrooms.

After further discussions with my Principal and ICT Coordinator I proposed that I would conduct an ICT SWOT analysis of the staff to see where their strengths and weakness were in relation to the use of ICT. I referred to the ICTPD Online Professional Development website to help develop the survey and assist staff with their understanding of a SWOT analysis and the information collected from the survey will then be used to conduct more informal information sessions during recess for all staff - including non-teaching staff, and develop a more structured and formalised ICT Professional Development program within the school. In his current role our ICT Coordinator mainly deals with technical support and hardware issues, not teaching and learning associated with ICT.

In total 12 out of 16 teachers responded to the survey, which we considered to be an excellent response. The survey was created through Survey Monkey and the following questions were asked:


 * Question || Responses ||
 * 1. How would you describe your own knowledge of ICT?

Very poor

Needs improving

Acceptable

Very Good

Exemplary ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">2. How would you describe the use of ICT’s in your classroom?

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Very poor

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Needs improving

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Acceptable

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Very Good

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Exemplary || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> ||
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">3. Email Use

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I do not have an e-mail account or have one but rarely use it.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I send messages using e-mail – mostly to colleagues, friends, and <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">family.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I use e-mail regularly, attach files, maintain an address book and organize my mail folders.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I am a member of one or more email lists and collaborate on documents via e-mail.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I successfully mentor others via e-mail lists.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I can establish and manage an e-mail list. || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> ||
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">4. Internet Use

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I rarely use the Internet.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I am unlikely to seek information when it is in electronic formats.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I access websites to retrieve information. I use a range of search techniques to find quality Internet resources.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I teach students how to effectively find and use resources available on the Internet.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I help others with critical analysis and evaluation of Internet resources. || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> ||
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">5. Technology Presentation

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I do not use computer presentation programmes such as PowerPoint.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I use templates or wizards to create a presentation.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I produce original presentations incorporating multimedia elements such as graphics, sound and video.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I integrate presentation skills into clas sroom <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">tasks. I understand the importance of using original artwork and media elements.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I assist others to create original and effective presentations that model good design. || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> ||
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">6. Instructional Video (Including Animation)

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have never tried to make any kind of video.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have used a video camera but never edited the film.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have used a digital video camera and done some editing of video on computer.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have completed digital video projects with my students.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I produce educationally valid video resources that are used by others. || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> ||
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">7. Constructivist Learning

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I’m not sure what a constructivist view of learning means.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have read about constructivism and understand what it means.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I am trying out constructivist ideas with my students.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I use constructivist methods in a significant part of my teaching.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I help others to incorporate constructivist strategies into their everyday teaching. || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> ||
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">8. Problem Based Learning

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I am not sure what a WebQuest or rich task is.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have looked at some WebQuests or other rich tasks but never used them with my students.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have reviewed a number of WebQuests or other rich tasks and used at least one with my students.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have written my own WebQuest or similar learning material and used it with my students.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I know what to look for in reviewing a WebQuest or rich task and help others in developing them. || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> ||
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">9. Web Publishing on the Internet or an intranet (including web pages, blogs and wikis)

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have not created any kind of hyperlinked document.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have created a few simple pages with text, graphics and hyperlinks.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have created a multi page website and used it on a local area network or the Internet

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I create, maintain and upload my own website (inc blog or wiki) with regular updates and extensive links.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I assist others in creating web pages.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Other educators use my web pages. || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> ||
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">10. Multi media projects (including audio or video podcasts)

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have never worked on multi media projects.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have worked on projects involving media such as sound, photographs or video.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I have worked on projects involving more than one media such as sound, photographs or video.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I use multi media projects in a significant part of my teaching.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I help others in creating multi media projects. || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> ||

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">This sideline project has been a valuable information gathering exercise. It is apparent from the responses that the current staff are not actively using, or understand how to use, ICT effectively in their classrooms - for instruction, students learning and management of data and communication. After reflecting on the survey, questions should have been included to gauge their attitudes towards ICT, why they have these attitudes and their willingness to learn new ICT skills.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">From these responses we have decided to implement a number of changes from the commencement of the 2014 school year. We will begin by presenting a session in the in-service days prior to school starting. Of the utmost importance is that staff recognise the differences between Using Technology and the Technology Integration. This graphic from edudemic.com will assist in defining these differences.



<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Additional changes to be made include:

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">All correspondence between staff (not just executive staff members) to be done through email. For example: announcements, changes to timetable, general communication. Staff will need to create 6 email lists: Executive staff, whole staff (including non-teaching staff), all teaching staff and stage level teaching staff (3 lists - ES1 and S1, S2 and S3). The creation and use of parent email lists will be determined after examining parents usage of email.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Demonstrate the practical uses of multimodal web 2.0 tools (such as Glogster and thinglink) to present information at staff meetings.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Continue with the short presentations in staff room at recess times (no set days or topics/themes).

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Staff will be encouraged to use the school wiki as a collaborative tool for sharing of resources. I have already begun to create the wiki and will continue to build this resource.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">All digital (especially notebook) files created by and/or used by staff are to be shared and stored on the school intranet.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Regularly provide staff with scholarly articles and research findings about ICT in the classroom - through links in the wiki and email notifications.