I’ve written previously about creating an IT Strategy but in actual fact there is a step prior to this which can make the whole process a whole lot easier. If you want your community to jump on board and start to transform their EdTech practice you need them to understand what it is you’re trying to achieve. This then allows people to start making the incremental steps needed in day to day practice and thinking about how things could be done differently that will help to improve and even transform teaching and learning.
There’s been so much happening in schools these past two Covid infected years that technology visions may not have been at the top of your to do lists until recently. To take the positives from Covid, we’ve learnt so much about how we could do things differently and the power of the EdTech tools that we have, it is now time to think more deeply and sustain our learning in our everyday practice.
Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been drafting a new vision for technology in our school to update our current one. It’s led me to identify 4 core areas where I think technology is benefiting us. These are:
- Enhanced Classroom Pedagogy and Student Learning
- A Strengthened Sense of Community and Improved Communication with all Stakeholders
- A Data-Rich Environment that aids Continuous, Individual, and Organisational Improvement
- Support of Student and Teacher Social and Emotional Well-Being.
Next I thought about the practice I know is already strong in our school and how it relates to these four areas.
My next steps are going to be sharing this with my SLT team for their thoughts and then with my colleagues. I’m sure there will be other good practice they are aware of and I am equally sure there will be some ideas here that are not part of their everyday practice. Once I’ve got their thoughts and ideas I’ll be able to start to think about a Post-Covid action plan related to this vision. Where is there the greatest potential for us to continue to make gains from better use of technology? That is a question for another day but if you’re interested in seeing my revised draft vision for our school I’m very happy to share it with you below.
If you’d like to work with us on a strategy fit for your own school I’d be only too delighted to help. We are part of the government’s EdTech Demonstrator Programme. We can provide you with funded support on any aspect of your EdTech journey. All you’ve got to do is sign up to the programme. You can do so at https://edtechdemo.ucst.uk/
Technology in Education 