1.3 Policies, Procedures, Programs & Funding
Candidates research, recommend, and implement policies, procedures, programs and funding strategies to support implementation of the shared vision represented in the school, district, state, and federal technology plans and guidelines. Funding strategies may include the development, submission, and evaluation of formal grant proposals. (PSC 1.3/ISTE 1c)
Artifact:
BYOT Contract
Reflection:
The Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) initiative was introduced in Forsyth County Schools many years ago. However, Shiloh Point Elementary was one of the schools that did not adopt this program right away. Becoming an instructional technology specialist in the school opened an opportunity for me to learn about this program and recommend its implementation in the building. The research process began with visiting schools in the system, observing different classrooms, learning from other technology coaches, and collaborating with the technology coordinator at the county office. In addition, building a professional learning community on Twitter and becoming an active learner and participant in the #byotchat helped me obtain necessary skills and knowledge. Research allowed me to collect strategies for introducing, managing, and implementing the BYOT in our school. The program was recommended to the core leadership first, and then the idea was introduced to the entire staff. The technology coordinator from the county office was invited to speak to Shiloh teachers and motivate them about new strategies and a different style of learning.
In collaboration with teacher leaders, Shiloh's BYOT contract (artifact above) was developed to implement policies and procedures in regard to use of own technology devices in the school. Every statement on this contract was an outcome of multiple collaborative discussions among teacher leaders. The Code of Conduct for Forsyth County was reviewed and multiple contracts and agreements developed in different schools, counties, and states were researched. The team did not only comply with the policies established in the county. The school's vision and school-wide discipline plan were taken in consideration as well. After the first draft of the BYOT contract was written, the team presented it to the Local School Counsel and took their suggestions to revise the agreement. The document was translated in Spanish to accommodate needs of many English Language Learners families in the community. The BYOT contract was a document that every student, teacher, and parent in the school reviewed and signed at the beginning of the school year. I visited classrooms to explain every statement on the agreement to students and supported the implementation by actively resolving behavioral issues when personal devices were involved. The BYOT contract served as the Blueprint for administrative decisions in such situations and helped decrease the number of behavioral incidents in the school.
One of the funding strategies used for the BYOT program was participation in the Forsyth County BYOT Benefit fundraiser. I took a lead in organizing, advertising, and running the fundraiser in the school this year. The event took place in March, and Shiloh Point raised $960.00 that will go towards technology enhancements in the media center to support the BYOT initiative.
The leadership team reflected on each statement in the BYOT contract at the end of the school year. The issues that occurred throughout the school year were discussed and any unclear statements in the agreement was revised and/or changed. It would be effective to try something new: let students in 4th and 5th grades provide feedback on the contract. Giving students an opportunity to actively participate in development of school-wide policies and procedures could make their implementation more effective and meaningful.
The Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) initiative was introduced in Forsyth County Schools many years ago. However, Shiloh Point Elementary was one of the schools that did not adopt this program right away. Becoming an instructional technology specialist in the school opened an opportunity for me to learn about this program and recommend its implementation in the building. The research process began with visiting schools in the system, observing different classrooms, learning from other technology coaches, and collaborating with the technology coordinator at the county office. In addition, building a professional learning community on Twitter and becoming an active learner and participant in the #byotchat helped me obtain necessary skills and knowledge. Research allowed me to collect strategies for introducing, managing, and implementing the BYOT in our school. The program was recommended to the core leadership first, and then the idea was introduced to the entire staff. The technology coordinator from the county office was invited to speak to Shiloh teachers and motivate them about new strategies and a different style of learning.
In collaboration with teacher leaders, Shiloh's BYOT contract (artifact above) was developed to implement policies and procedures in regard to use of own technology devices in the school. Every statement on this contract was an outcome of multiple collaborative discussions among teacher leaders. The Code of Conduct for Forsyth County was reviewed and multiple contracts and agreements developed in different schools, counties, and states were researched. The team did not only comply with the policies established in the county. The school's vision and school-wide discipline plan were taken in consideration as well. After the first draft of the BYOT contract was written, the team presented it to the Local School Counsel and took their suggestions to revise the agreement. The document was translated in Spanish to accommodate needs of many English Language Learners families in the community. The BYOT contract was a document that every student, teacher, and parent in the school reviewed and signed at the beginning of the school year. I visited classrooms to explain every statement on the agreement to students and supported the implementation by actively resolving behavioral issues when personal devices were involved. The BYOT contract served as the Blueprint for administrative decisions in such situations and helped decrease the number of behavioral incidents in the school.
One of the funding strategies used for the BYOT program was participation in the Forsyth County BYOT Benefit fundraiser. I took a lead in organizing, advertising, and running the fundraiser in the school this year. The event took place in March, and Shiloh Point raised $960.00 that will go towards technology enhancements in the media center to support the BYOT initiative.
The leadership team reflected on each statement in the BYOT contract at the end of the school year. The issues that occurred throughout the school year were discussed and any unclear statements in the agreement was revised and/or changed. It would be effective to try something new: let students in 4th and 5th grades provide feedback on the contract. Giving students an opportunity to actively participate in development of school-wide policies and procedures could make their implementation more effective and meaningful.