Describe

The two artifacts are an Inquiry Team Plan and a Technology Plan.  The Technology Plan was collected during the Spring of 2013 and the Inquiry Team Plan was collected during the Fall of 2013.   The Inquiry Team Plan was a group project that addressed the needs of a target population.  The team worked well together.  We were able to meet and discuss our project in person and via email.  Once the professor assigned the project, I immediately formed the group of five.  All five members of the group work in different high schools but have many common interests involving our students.  I proposed we use the data from my school, Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy MS/HS 141, as the basis for the plan.  We all discussed different parts of the project and divided the work amongst the five of us.  The one problem we did encounter was having everyone meet the given deadline.  Everyone works on his or her own timeline and sometimes it is hard to meet a deadline.  An email went out regarding the problem and we were able to get back on track with the deadline.

Analyze

ELCC Standard 3.1 – Manage the Organization.  For the Inquiry Team Plan we identified the Expected Utility Model as most effective with our goals for the school population we were servicing.  This model for data-driven decision-making generated decisions that are effective, but not always perfect for the given situation.  By using this model, we consider alternatives to our original solutions, adapting to the needs of our target population as factors changes during the implementation of our plan.  The development of the Technology Plan is to help my school become proficient in technology.  Technology helps to support the curriculum and year-end goals for both teachers and students.  This plan includes a vision statement of how technology will help to improve teaching and learning.

ELCC Standard 3.2 – Manage the Operations.  In order for the Technology Plan to be successful, administration needs to provide Professional Development for teachers throughout the school year.  The Professional Development should be provided to all teachers, no mater what technology skills they already process.  Since technology is always changing, it is important that teachers attend different technology seminars.  This will help keep them abreast on the newest advances in technology. 

ELCC Standard 3.3 – Manage the Resources.    Resources for the Technology Plan will be made available through grants.  The money received through grants will be used to purchase SmartBoards and software license.  Funds will also be used for Professional Development, textbooks and other supplies teachers will need to implement the use of technology into the classroom

Appraise

Both these artifacts helped me understand how important data and technology is to an educational leader.  I have learned not to be afraid of data and technology and that both are useful for a variety of different things in schools.  On my own, I was able to collect data needed for these projects.  I was also able to analyze the data without the help of anyone else.

Transform

If a school wants to improve student learning, it has to use both data and technology.  As a future school administrator, I will implement Professional Development days on data driven instruction and technology.  Through these development days, teachers will learn how to organize the data that is on hand and how to integrate technology into the classroom.  Throughout the implementation of these programs, students will be more successful in school.