SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?

Name: Mary Caroline Smith

ITEC 7410, Semester: Summer

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,
QCCs)?
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? (See Creighton Chapters 5, 7)
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats

Teachers utilize email

daily as their top form
of communication.
Many teachers have
ActivBoards in their
classrooms that are used
on a daily basis for
instructional purposes.
Teachers use
differentiation and
flexible grouping along
with technology to
focus on key concepts
of the standards.
BYOT utilized in upper
grade levels
iPad cart available for
student usage
laptop cart available for

BYOT all students do

not have their own
technology to bring
High demand schoolwide for laptop/iPad
cart
Wireless internet is
unable to handle high
capacity of usage
No vertical planning
time among grade levels
to plan appropriate
activities that utilize
technology

Students use a variety

of online tools as test
preparation and
remediation
Online programs such
as STAR help show
student growth
throughout the school
year
BYOT allows teachers
to create activities
where all students can
have hands-on
opportunities with
technology usage

Teachers do not have

enough
knowledge/training
about new online tools
to use with students
Lack of funding keeps
the amount of
technology available for
our school to a
minimum

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?

student usage
2 computer labs (one
mini/one regular)
available

Summary/Gap Analysis:
Technology has a very important role within instruction at Newton County Theme School. Teachers use Newton County email to
communicate with parents, teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders within the school community. Teachers create
differentiated lesson plans and activities that utilize a variety of technology. All lesson plans are written based on Common Core
standards and Georgia Performance Standards. Students spend at least 45 minutes weekly in the computer lab learning and applying
basic computer skills.
There is a great push to have Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) activities in the classroom. Many teachers and students are
completing these activities quite frequently. The problems that can arise from these planned activities are that all students do not have
their own technology to bring and the internet service seems to get overwhelmed and not able to handle a large amount of wireless
activity at one time.

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 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/QCCs? To preparing
tomorrows workforce? For motivating digital-age learners?

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?

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

Newton County Theme

School follows the
Newton County
vision/plan for
technology
The plan for technology
is aligned with Georgia
Performance Standards
as well as Common
Core Standards
BYOT is implemented
and supported by our
school administration

Only a small group of

administrators and
teachers involved in
creating the vision for
the school
Many teachers and
students are unaware of
the vision
Technology standards
are not expected to be
acknowledged in lesson
plans

Professional
development
opportunities provided
to give information and
training to teachers

Lack of funding put into

our school because of
student population (low
SPED population, not
Title 1, etc.)
Teachers cannot keep
up with the quickly
changing technology
trends

Summary/Gap Analysis:
Newton County Theme School follows the Newton County Shared Vision that is presented on the Newton County Technology Plan.
The plan is aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards as well as the Common Core standards. Many teachers, parents, and
students are not aware of the technology standards but agree that having active technology within a school building is extremely
important. The original school vision was written by a select few faculty members of the school. This limited faculty involvement
leaves gaps in the plan that could be addressed and adjusted if a larger group was present.

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?
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?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats

Students visit the

computer lab at NCTS
at least once a week for
45 minutes to learn and
apply basic computer
skills
Students frequently use
online tools as
remediation,
acceleration, and test
prep tools
NCTS follows Newton
Countys Strategic Plan
(2013-2018) for
technology integration
Technology integration
will be monitored
through county
walkthroughs

Adequate planning time

is not provided to
teachers in preparing for
technology usage that
supports the school
technology vision
No set guidelines on
how to ensure students
are engaged and
prepared for college and
career readiness

Newton County has a

district plan to help
increase technology
usage within schools
Create a technology
committee that can help
create lessons and ideas
for teachers
Conduct surveys to
determine weaknesses
and needs of teachers
and students concerning
technology

Many teachers are not

aware of the county
technology plan
Many teachers do not
feel adequately
prepared to utilize all
assets of technology
available

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?
Summary/Gap Analysis:
Technology is ever-changing. Many schools and school systems (Newton County included) are not able to keep up with the quick pace
of the changing technology. Teachers are expected to utilize technology and integrate it into their daily lesson plans and activities.
Many teachers feel unprepared and uncomfortable with the different changes with technology; therefore they are unable to
successfully utilize the technology appropriately.

ESSENTIAL CONDITION FOUR: Equitable Access

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?
Do students/parents/community need/have beyond school access to support the vision for learning?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats

All teachers have school

issued desktop
computers
Activboards in all
classrooms
Many classrooms have
Activsound as well
iPad and laptop carts
are available for
checkout in classrooms
Wireless school
2 computer labs

School wireless internet

is unreliable and
frequently goes out
Laptops/iPads are
frequently not plugged
in or returned
incorrectly
All parents do not have
access to technology at
home
Teachers need more
resources to create more
student-centered
learning

BYOT activities are

planned for students
Four student computers
are in each classroom
All teachers have
desktop computers
2 computer labs, media
center computers, and
laptop cart are available

There are faculty

members who refuse to
change with the times
and do not integrate
technology as they
should
Student computers are
desktops and not
mobile. This
arrangement makes it
difficult for group work.
Many parents and
students do not have
technology access

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?

outside of school
An increased number of
iPads, laptops, and other
technology tools are
needed for the size of
our school

Summary/Gap Analysis:
Wireless issues will be ongoing. Technology support from the BOE will continue to work closely with the technology specialist at
NCTS. Involving parents and students in the technology vision for the school will hopefully be steps toward greater technology usage
outside of school. Students will also be made aware of a variety of resources (public library) available outside of school.

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 proficiencies.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats

Most staff members at

NCTS have proficient
knowledge and above
average comfort levels
in using word
processing skills,
PowerPoint, and the

Teachers heavily rely on

IT support with
troubleshooting
technology issues
No curriculum coach at
NCTS because of lack
of funding

Professional Learning
opportunities can be
planned to train teachers

Funding limits IT
support to have to be
shared with multiple
schools
Training on new
technology tools
requires time which

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?
Internet

many times isnt

available

Summary/Gap Analysis:
Many teachers and staff members at NCTS are well-versed in technology usage. Professional learning opportunities can be planned to
assist teachers and increase effective usage of technology.

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)?
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

Half day planning days

are usually spent with
professional learning
opportunities
Summer professional
learning opportunities

Many teachers run out

of time to practice what
they have learned
during professional
learning times
Enough time is not

Plan professional
learning days at the
beginning of the year
based on teacher
interest and need
Continue allowing

Some professional
learning topics are
taught in isolation rather
than within instructional
methods
Poor communication

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?

are given and

encouraged
Professional learning
opportunities are
offered throughout the
school year through
Griffin RESA

allotted to give enough

time per topic covered
Some professional
learning times seem to
simply be time fillers
and are not well thought
out

teachers to attend
professional learning
during the school year

from administration
Busy schedule for
teachers and
administration

Summary/Gap Analysis:
Many learning opportunities are given to teachers throughout the school year and summer through professional learning activities.
Most of the professional learning occur on student half-days. Many times teachers feel like the professional learning activities are not
well planned and are simply thrown together as time fillers. The administration should focus on a few key topics to improve upon each
year. This is what the professional learning should be based on.

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?

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?
Strengths

Desktop computers
available in the
classrooms and media
center are reliable.
There is a system in
place for requesting
technology help.
An in school technology
leaders is available for
teachers, but she also
has classes of her own

Weaknesses

The internet connection

is shaky and not 100%
reliable.
Laptops and iPads are
frequently not charged
and are not usable late
in the day
There are not enough
technology devices for
the amount of students
in the building
All computers need to
be updated

Opportunities

Technology leaders are

assigned to schools.
Some schools have their
own while others share
one.
Grants are available to
increase amount of
technology available to
students and teachers.

Threats

Because our technology

leader is shared with
another school, we
frequently have to wait
a few days before an
issue is resolved.

Summary/Gap Analysis:
The in-house technology leader at our school is knowledgeable and willing to help with issues that arise; however she is also
responsible for her own class. This leads to some issues. The large student population demands the increase in technology. With the
technology increase comes more technology support. We must increase our support level in order to ensure the success of our
students.

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? (QCCs/NET-S)

SWOT Analysis Template for Technology Planning Needs Assessment

What is the current reality in our school?

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/QCCs as appropriate?
How is student technology literacy assessed?
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Some digital resources
are available for
teachers and student
usage (online textbooks,
websites, online
tutorials)

No ongoing assessment
of technology ability
Great need for digital
resources
Students/parents are not
aware there are
technology standards

Newton County School

System uses Common
Core Georgia
Performance Standards.
These can be aligned
with the technology
standards easily.

Student technology
literacy is not being
assessed at this time.

Summary/Gap Analysis:
Many parents and students are not aware there are technology standards. School systems must begin to address and assess these
standards so that students can become proficient in a variety of technology uses. This can easily be done through the Common Core
Standards. They require that students use higher order thinking skills to complete a variety of tasks. School systems need to make sure
schools are equipped with the right amount of materials for their students in each school.