Module+4-6

LaTonya Simmons

Module 4 Justification Although the low cost strategy is the most cost effective approach for solving the performance gap, there are serious weakness that would cause it not to be the most effective in terms of meeting the needs of the teachers and students. One weakness of this strategy is the increased responsibilities added to the coaches and media center specialist workload. This is a very valid point, if it is going to drastically increase workload of those who are already bogged down then you may face less buy-in from teachers. Utilizing this strategy, the literacy coaches and media center specialist would be expected to take on the duties of a technology coach and maintain their literacy coach obligations. This could potentially cause the coaches and media center specialist to become over worked thus the responsibility of the literacy coach or technology will lack. The second weakness associated with this strategy is there would not be any additional compensation provided to the coaches or media center specialist Definitely a good point, I know I would not be in support of a program that added to my job responsibilities but didnt take any away or provide more compensation . Finally, the additional training needed for the coaches and specialist to carry out the duties would require them to miss time away from the school. The risk of the coaches and media center specialist not being able to provide the teachers with quality support is a key reason for dismissing the strategy.
 * Low Cost strategy **

The reestablishment of the computer lab is one of the major strengths in the medium cost strategy. There would be little cost associated with furnishing the equipment for the lab. If each classroom relinquished one computer this would take care of the computers for the lab, leaving less expensive items to purchase, such as power cords and possibly computer tables Does your district have a surplus warehouse? You may not even have to buy new tables, you could probably get them from surplus ﻿ . In addition, the part time technology coach would specifically focus on the technology literacy needs of the teachers and students. However, the medium cost strategy only meets one aspect of the concerns expressed by teachers on the Educational Technology questionnaire. Despite the fact that the strategy meets the need of having multiple computers available at one time for students to use; it requires the classroom teachers to prepare and present the technology skills to the students. I say this because, the role of the technology coach would be to assist the classroom teachers in developing lessons and occasionally model lessons that demonstrate specific technology skills. This strategy will eventually leave the teachers to completely responsibilities of preparing and conducting technology lessons. After analyzing the survey, teachers are ultimately seeking solutions that would deliver the skills that the students need without taking time away from their busy schedules I can agree with the teachers on this, I think the computer lab would need to be run by someone else and used as an academic enrichment and not take away standards based instructional time .
 * Medium Cost Strategy **

Though the high cost strategy is the most expensive solution, it is the ideal solution to meets the technology goals put forth by the school district and satisfy the needs of the teachers and students. On the technology questionnaire most teachers felt that there was a technology gap because they did not have enough time to incorporate lessons that provided the students the maximum access to enhance their technology skills. However, with the implementation of the high cost strategy, the computer lab is re-established. The fulltime technology instructor can devote a greater amount of time with the students accessing and practicing the technology skills, thus positively affecting the achievement of the students. The fact that Sky view is a Title I school, additional funding is allocated to support the position’s salary which is a huge plus. Does the funding change yearly? WOuld you be able to lock this person in for at least 2-3 years? Or would their position be based on whether the funding is available? Jamie
 * High Cost Strategy **

The project manager will be responsible for communicating and carrying out the vision and goals of the Performance Improvement Intervention. To begin, the project manager has to effectively communicate to the stakeholders, Leadership team, and the staff the plan and budget needed to successfully launch the project. A team has to be developed to carry out the project’s tasks. Once the team is developed, the project manger will need to delegate duties and supervise their progress. A timeline should be created and discussed with the team in order to make sure that duties are being executed. Remarkable organizational skills will be a necessary in order to keep the project flowing smoothly. The project manger will need to track and anticipate any problems or conflicts that may occur and have a solution in place. Lastly, the project manager should be able to motivate and provide constructive feedback to the team.
 * Project Manager's Role **

The principal of the school will be the key personal for allocating financial resources. She will secure the funds needed for the salary of the technology instructor. In addition, she will determine how the additional Title I funds could be used to support the salary of the technology instructor. The school’s bookkeeper will keep track of all funds that are spent for the project. This includes any funds used for training materials, incentives, and off site training for the technology instructor. The computers needed for the computer lab are already present at the school. The media center specialist keeps track of the entire technology inventory at the school. Each piece of equipment has a bar-code. The media center specialist will keep track of the computers relocated to the computer lab and maintain the inventory. Which leads me to the human resources needed; the custodians will be responsible for moving the computers from the classrooms into the new computer lab location.
 * Resource Management**

The fulltime technology instructor will provide the students and staff with the necessary training. The students will receive their training on the technology skills during a block of time during school. The staff currently has mandatory staff meeting set for two times out the each month. The teachers and administrators will receive one hour training sessions during these staff meetings. In addition, the technology instructor will be conducting observations in the classroom during school hours to discuss integration of technology literacy.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Delivery System Management **

The school system is currently set up on a private network. Each school has it own “shared drive” for the staff to store files. The information related to the intervention will be stored on the school’s shared drive in a folder labeled Performance Improvement Intervention. The folder will include data sheets, video presentations, lesson plans, and more. Teachers will be able to access the information anywhere within the school system as long as they use their school login. In addition, the school’s website and the teachers’ blogs will be used to communicate information.
 * Information Management**

Good job, there are a few typographical errors, but overall fabulous project. I really hope you will be able to present this to your prinicpal and staff and make it happen. Jamie

** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The Manager as Change Agent ** ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Financial and Budget Information **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">The information presented in the chart below show the equipment that is already in place for the computer lab


 * ** Equipment  ** || **  Quantity  ** || **  Cost  ** ||
 * ** Dell Desk Computer  ** ||   24   ||   $0.00   ||
 * ** Mounted Smart board with projector  ** ||   1   ||   $0.00   ||
 * ** VCR/DVD combo  ** ||   1   ||   $0.00   ||
 * ** Television  ** ||   1   ||   $0.00   ||
 * ** Hewlett Packard 250 black and white printer   ** ||   1   ||   $0.00   ||
 * ** Hewlett Packard 782 color printer   ** ||   1   ||   $0.00   ||
 * ** Elmo  ** ||   1   ||   $0.00   ||
 * ** I-respond  ** ||   1   ||   $0.00   ||

The information presented in the following table are the purchases needed to for the intervention project.

[] || 205.00 per day  || **<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">$38,958 **<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> || http://fetc.org/events/2011-conference/information/registration.aspx  ||  265.00 for 3 days  || **  $265.00  ** || ** The name of the hotel is TBD   ** ||  @102 per night  || **  $306.00  ** || <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · School Box gift cards <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Lake Shore <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Subway || 3@$25, $50, and $100 1@ $25   3@ $5  ||    **  $175.00  **  **  $25.00  **  **  $15.00  ** ||
 * **  Unsure about heading right now   ** ||   ||  Cost  ||
 * ** Salary for Instructor  **
 * ** Professional Development  **
 * ** Lodging  **
 * Incentives for Professional Development for faculty
 * ||  || **   39,438.00   ** ||
 * ||  || **   39,438.00   ** ||

** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Project Assessment **<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">The project manager and the technology instructor will join the leadership committee to form a new team that will be called The Performance Intervention Team. It is recommended that the intervention be in place for at least two years in order to get enough data to compare the positive or negative effect of the intervention. Throughout the school year there will be several forms of data tools used to assess the performance gap. At the end of the school term the PIIT will analyze the information from the teachers and the student’s surveys. The team will also review the contents from the e portfolio. After analyzing all the information the team will make recommendations to improve the intervention for the following school year. <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">During the second year of the intervention the recommendations will be put in place. At the end of the year the PIIT will come together and make a decision whether to discontinue or continue the intervention plan.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">References: ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Chevalier, R. D. (2007). A manager's guide to improving workplace performance. New York, NY: American Management Association. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Cobb County School District. (2010). Three-year technology plan. Retrieved December 20, 2010, from []