For the past 7 ½ weeks, I have been working on bettering myself as an Instructional Designer.  And in doing so, I managed to develop a Technology Plan for the teachers and students at my schools through the Seven Step of the Proposal Process.  This is not an easy process, but it is definitely one worth doing if you are planning on implementing something “new” on a scale larger than your own classroom walls. 

 

The steps included:

1. Brainstorming ideas

2. Assessing the Need

3. Researching Technology Tool/Plan

4. Designing the Plan

5. Peer Review/Pilot

6. Final Proposal

7. Showcasing Presentation

​

I tried to pick a step that was most important, but my brain kept reminding me of the importance of all of them.  The steps that stood out to me the most during the process were Assessing the Need, Designing the Plan, and the Peer Review.  The step I found most challenging was determining where the greatest area of need was at my schools and how I could make the largest impact on student learning when it came to technology.  Even after settling on my plan- implementing Microsoft OneNote in the upper elementary classrooms- I had to determine if this plan matched the vision of the other members of my district. 

 

One of the best parts of the process was the Peer Review.  I was able to gain some insight and look at my plan from a new lens after hearing the perspectives of others.  In my earlier years, and sometimes even in my current years, I have been reluctant to share my ideas with others because of fear they aren’t good enough, or I have it in my head that there couldn’t possibly be anything I missed in MY plan.  Of course, these are all ridiculous thoughts because no one is perfect and the perspective of others can really amplify the impact a plan can have on others, particularly our most important population, the STUDENTS!  This is a step I am going to be more purposeful about in the future because I really did see the value in its purpose.

 

I am excited to get my OneNote plan underway with the staff and students, even if it might look a bit different this year.  I believe this tool will truly support student learning and digital literacy.  When I took on the role of Instructional Technology Support Teacher last year, I didn’t realize how many hats I would be wearing, including those of Learning Specialist and Instructional Designer, but I think I like the way the hats fit into this role.  It would be impossible to support learning without a greater understanding of the learning and instruction taking place in the classroom. 

 

While the pandemic of 2020 will go down in the history (e)books 😉, 2021 will be remember for how OneNote saved the day during remote learning!