SWOT+&+Goals

=SWOT Analysis & Goals=

I. Technology SWOT Analysis
__Strengths__

My greatest strength is a great interest in using technology to enhance teaching and learning in my classroom. I love the subjects I teach, and am constantly learning more about them. It only makes sense to use technology to enhance my own learning and to translate that into better teaching for my students.

__Weaknesses__

My main weakness is fluency with a number of computer software programs and being "expert" in tapping into the vast resources available through the internet and other digital pathways. I am also somewhat old fashioned and tend to focus on teacher-centered methods rather than student-centered and this sometimes prevents innovation that technology so well complements.

__Opportunities__

I have a number of excellent opportunities in the forms of training available through our county office, and there are a great number of individuals I know who are experts in the computer field. Utilizing these resources to improve my proficiency is essential and sensible.

__Threats__

Sometimes the sheer volume of the internet and the field of computer sciences is overwhelming. I tend to forget that though mastery takes a very long time, if it is ever achieved, becoming more fluent and comfortable is attainable in a much shorter time. Doing so will make technology less threatening. Also, incorporating it into the usual paper and pencil style that I use for history and composition only enhances the learning and in no way has to diminish the fundamentals that I am trying to convey or the brilliance that is the ultimate goal I have for my students.

II. Goal
__Goal #1__:

My first goal is to commit to integrating technology into my lessons at least once each week. I will accomplish this by drawing up a list that contains the variety of ways that I may implement technology to supplement, emphasize, enrich, and add dynamism to my lessons, delivery, assignments, and assessments. This list will be ever-growing, and will also contain notes on how the use of technology went, how it was received, what I could do better, and so forth. Not only will this plan help add technology in a valuable way, it will require constant evaluation of the process. This is not a goal that will ever be finally achieved, but is one that will have to be maintained and cultivated for as long as I teach. I have already begun the process and so far I am two weeks in with great success and lots of notes on what to do better next time.

__Goal #2__:

My second goal is to increase my personal knowledge of technology's application in my classroom and personal life. Instead of simply doing something for class, I will look to practice at home by making podcasts for my children, web movies to commemorate vacations or special events, and otherwise enjoy technology more in my private life. The increase comfort and proficiency that will come through this pursuit will spur greater ease of use and interest in applying these technologies to the classes I teach. Currently my plan is to do a podcast every two weeks for my two young daughters, each featuring the continuing saga of Ratty O'Rourke, a mouse who lives at the beach and has many improbable adventures. I will add to this "technology to do" list as I go.

I think it will be clear that I am succeeding with this goal when I start to notice a true level of improvement in my skill level using these technologies and when using them for class becomes second nature. As will Goal 1, the process has already begun, with the first Ratty O'Rourke episode coming up at the end of this week.