The Path to Innovation
Innovation, or information and communication technology projects, require a plan. As teachers, we do not start our day without lesson plans, so why would we try to accomplish something as big as CHANGE without a plan? The path to innovation is a long road, but it all starts with an idea. This graphic shows my innovation plan, "Ditch the Basement Box," from idea to full implementation. An implementation timeline that specifies each step outlines the plan in detail and creates accountability. As a leader of change, I took many components into consideration to ensure the success of my plan.
The ePortfolio innovation plan begins with an idea shared with teachers and administrators through a proposal. This is where I first address several stakeholders to get them on board with the change. To influence them further, I will then share my "why" for leading the innovation. My "why" is what it is all about at the heart of this project. The promotional video for the plan digs deeper into the heart.
After connecting with people's hearts, I will then provide the research to prove that ePortfolios will be effective in creating lifelong learners. A literature review about the benefits of ePortfolios will be provided to all stakeholders. At this time, as the leader of the project I will be piloting the innovation in my classroom so that I can provide first-hand experience and describe the project with anecdotal notes and evidence.
Moving on, I will share more research-based evidence that proves the effectiveness of ePortfolios. A Prezi presentation refreshes my audience's personal connection while also sharing research-based evidence. Global trends, as analyzed through a literature review, indicate that the success of ICT projects depends on vision, infrastructure, leadership, resourcing, stakeholder involvement, feedback/evaluation, professional development, communication, and a paradigm shift. To successfully implement ePortfolios, all of these factors must be considered in planning the innovation.
Now that hearts and heads have both been pulled into the project, we are ready to bring in more innovators. Professional development sessions focus on learning in authentic environments as opposed to technology and will occur in multiple sessions over the period of several years. The lead teachers receiving the first round of professional development will then develop ePortfolios and facilitate student ePortfolio development. While lead teachers are working on the innovation, I am leading change by using the Influencer Model and 4DX to keep up spirits and keep the project on track. Finally, as more teachers join the plan and receive professional development, we reach full implementation where all teachers in grades four through twelve create ePortfolios and facilitate development of student ePortfolios.
This plan is not a quick fix. It will take time and effort, but education needs a change. A paradigm shift from teacher-centered instruction to student-centered learning is needed, and technology, specifically ePortfolios, should be part of it. Technology alone cannot change the future, but what is done with the technology can. There has been ICT success and ICT failure, but ePortfolios can be on the success side after applying the lessons learned from global trends and following the path.
