Personal Technology Swot Analysis, Goals and Plan - DOC

							                                                           Swot Analysis, Goals and Plan   1
Running head: PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY SWOT ANALYSIS, GOALS AND PLAN




                       Personal Technology SWOT Analysis, Goals and Plan

                                       Cheryl Seymour

                                  University of West Georgia

                                         MEDT 8463
                                                            Swot Analysis, Goals and Plan    2


                                          Abstract

In order for a teacher to make the jump into technology leadership one must recognize

their abilities and limitations. This paper will serve as an assessment of personal strengths,

weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOTs) in technology today. Also identified

herein, are personal goals and a growth plan for the upcoming school year. Following this

plan for personal achievement should help me to become a more experienced and efficient

technology leader.
                                                            Swot Analysis, Goals and Plan      3


                    Personal Technology SWOT Analysis, Goals and Plan

Introduction

       Technology is in the school systems to stay. Teachers who embrace this concept

know that they have to study to show themselves capable in the eyes of their students. In

beginning this time of study and self development, teachers must self analyze their

strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This analysis will help any teacher to

decide how best to pursue their personal growth and development as the cross the bridge

into the technology frontier.

Strengths

       The strength of any teacher using technology lies in his/her knowledge that he/she

does not know it all. This strength also lies in a willingness to learn from other teachers,

administrators, and of course, the students. My personal greatest strength lies in these

areas along with the sheer joy I find in sharing new information with those around me that

I know will use that information. I feel that a good technology leader has to be excited

about learning new technologies and must share that knowledge with enthusiasm.

Weaknesses

       Recognizing one’s own weaknesses is actually a great strength. In myself I

recognize that there are many tools out there which can benefit a classroom, but that I

cannot master them all. I realize that my students can and will come up with technology

solutions that never occur to me and that I have to be humble enough to accept this. One of

my biggest weaknesses is in finding to time to pick up new technology. I’m not the kind of

student who can read about something once and instantly know how to do it. I have to sit

down and take time to play around with new technology to figure out how I can best use it.
                                                              Swot Analysis, Goals and Plan        4


When I went to another school for my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Technology, I

spent two years without a challenge. No new technologies were forced upon me. This

program has shown my many new weaknesses that I never knew I had. I have been

challenged to the point of being overwhelmed at times, but that’s how I learn. I did not

realize how much I had limited my own scope of knowledge being happy with a

PowerPoint and projector. There’s so much more exciting technology available that I am

thrilled to be overwhelmed in the face of it all.

Opportunity

       The number one opportunity before me right now is the opportunity to increase my

abilities and make my classroom a more student/technology centered environment. My

willingness to learn has opened doors for me already in my school as the Electronic End of

Course Testing Coordinator and the Georgia High School Graduation Test Online Tutor

(using USA Test Prep websites). My classroom is being held as a primary case study on

integrating technology this semester as my students use Google tools (all free) to produce

all their projects and publish them all to the web. If this works well, this idea will go to the

entire International Baccalaureate program next year and progress to the rest of the school

within two years. Successes that I have in this position may lead me to opportunities as an

Instructional Specialist for my school in the near future. Currently we are sharing an IT

person with several schools and hope to prove through my classroom that we need our

own in order to move the school into a more student/technology centered focus.

       Threats

       The biggest threat to achieving my personal and professional goals probably lies

within my mouth. I have a tendency to sound off when policy and procedures need to be
                                                             Swot Analysis, Goals and Plan      5


changed. Sometimes I am my own worst enemy because I rarely garner the favor of my

administration. I question, try, and push. In the words of Mrs. Grizzle from “The Magic

School Bus,” students and teachers should “take chances, make mistakes, and get messy.”

As an Economics teacher I look at it as taking more risk typically gives more return.

       Another threat to my growth is my family. I love my husband and children, but they

do hinder personal growth. When I started this program my husband and I had to set a

schedule on who has the kids so that he can continue to work on his dissertation and I

work on my specialist.

Personal Technology Goals and Plan

       As previously mentioned I hope to eventually use my skills to move into an

Instructional Technology Specialist position in a high school setting. I feel that I can best

utilize not only my technical skills, but also my teaching skills to help bring my fellow

faculty members up to the technology frontier. Too often teachers push technology aside

because it is forced upon them without explanation. I hope to change their feelings about

technology by helping each teacher find their niche in using technology in their classroom.

       As Governor Palin stated in her acceptance speech for the Vice President

Republican Nomination, “there are some [candidates]who use change to promote their

careers, and others…who use their careers to promote change” (Palin, 2008). I hope and

strive to be one of the later, in the midst of many of the former.
                                                            Swot Analysis, Goals and Plan     6


                                        Bibliography

Christensen, C. M., Horn, M. B., & Johnson, C. W. (2008). Disrupting Class: How Disruptive

Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns. New York, New York: McGraw Hill.



Palin, G. S. (2008, September 3). Republican National Convention. St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.