Jennifer N. Hudson, M.Ed.

EDIT 760 Brief Paper 4

Standard Performance Indicator

The fourth standard is systematic improvement. In this standard, educational administrators

provide digital-age leadership and management to continuously improve the organization through

effective use of technology. In doing so, educational leaders are to lead purposeful change to

maximize the achievement in learning with technology. They should collaborate, collect and

analyze data, recruit and retain competent personnel, and establish partnerships that support

improvement. They must also maintain strong infrastructure for technology that supports

management, teaching, and learning.

Personally, I feel as if we need more leadership from our instructional educational leader.

Right now we have an instructional leader who comes and visits four times a semester. The

instructional leader assists with technology, but it is not led by him always. Usually, he starts the

team meetings with the common question of, What can I help you with? As an instructional

leader, I would want him or her to guide the instructional part of ideas and suggestions. Some

teachers are willing to try new things, but when they dont know which direction to go in, it is hard

for them to begin.

Methods

Currently, at Pleasant Hill Elementary School we have many teachers who are

incorporating technology in their classrooms daily. The technology coach encourages the teachers

to include new skills and strategies. The educational leader also asks what they have been using,

what is working, and what is not working.

As stated before, in order to grow systematically we must have more instructional

guidance. Indicator one states that purposeful change is maximized. I think a great change would

1
Jennifer N. Hudson, M.Ed. EDIT 760 Brief Paper 4

be for the instructional leader to come to the schools with specific activities, software programs,

or devices to implement in the classroom. What is happening at our school is working, but it could

be maximized with more structure.

I asked a teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary (B. McClean, personal communication, June

28, 2017) about how she feels about technology in our building. After talking with B. McClean,

she said that she likes the direction we are headed in technology, but she feels as if we are not

getting much training on the new software and programs. She felt as if she had a list of activities

to do in her class, she would try to do more. I asked her how often does her children use technology

in the classroom. Mrs. McClean mentioned that they used it often, but usually programs that she

is most familiar with. She said she has used these programs for the past three years (B. McClean,

personal communication, June 28, 2017).

Evidences

A. Poston claimed that his students progress came from integrating technology tools in

the classroom (personal communication, June 27, 2017). He mentioned that he is using effective

programs in his classroom. He said he loves that he is able to track the progress of his students. He

stated that is mainly why he keeps using the same programs (A. Poston, personal communication,

June 27, 2017). One of the programs he has used faithfully is USA Test Prep with an emphasis in

Social Studies. His students are constantly improving every year in Social Studies. His South

Carolina Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (SCPASS) scores went from 78.6 percent in

2015 to 90 percent in 2016. (South Carolina Department of Education, 2017). His scores were the

highest in the district, and he said that the main thing he changed in his classroom was

implementing the program. The students enjoyed using it, and the teacher was able to focus on the

students who were weak in certain areas.

2
Jennifer N. Hudson, M.Ed. EDIT 760 Brief Paper 4

In addition, district-wide we have a Technology Fair and it is highly encouraged at our

school to submit applicants. This year we had about 16 students participate. Many of the

submissions came from activities and projects that were conducted in the classroom. Some of those

projects submitted were Infographics, Kahoot games, Comic Strips, and Photostories. The amount

of participation has grown over the years at Pleasant Hill, and every year more teachers and

students are applying to compete at the Technology Fair.

Concern

As instructional technology leaders, my stand on systematic improvement is making sure we are

communicating effectively with our teachers and listening to their concerns with technology. When

programs are being introduced and implemented, we must constantly meet with teachers and assist them as

needed. Strategic partnerships with lead teachers at the current school and partnering with other lead

teachers at different schools can help in advancing technology in the district as well.

Discussion/Reflections/Reactions

I think systematic improvement is having someone who will provide digital-age leadership and

management by helping improve the organization through effective use of technology. I believe Pleasant

Hill Elementary School and the Georgetown County School District as a whole can make the great strides

in the right direction with more collaboration. I do believe we have highly qualified people in position to

make positive change happen.

3
Jennifer N. Hudson, M.Ed. EDIT 760 Brief Paper 4

Resources

McClean, B. Personal communication. June 28, 2017.

Poston, A. Personal communication. June 27, 2017.

South Carolina Department of Education. (2017). http://www.ed.sc.gov/data/test-scores/state-

assessments/scpalmetto-assessment-of-state-standards-pass/2015/school-pass-scores-

grade/?ID=2201012

South Carolina Department of Education. (2017). http://www.ed.sc.gov/data/test-scores/state-

assessments/scpalmetto-assessment-of-state-standards-pass/2016/school-pass-scores-

grade/?ID=2201012