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Case assignment

This case is your analysis of an instance where technology planning and implementation is occurring. The case may concern work that is being carried out in your school or district or another place of interest to you. This case study will serve as the primary location for you to apply theory presented in class readings. Support your analytic points with the readings and literature from class wherever possible. Cite your references in the paper and provide a complete list of them at the end of the paper, all in APA style.| Download an explanation of assignment and rubric for case.

Appropriate case sites are locations where technology is being integrated in support of teaching and/or learning. It should involve multiple people (i.e. not be a one-person project). The implementation should be well underway, and not just a plan, or just being started.

Examples of topics from K12 settings include

  • the use of laptop carts in a middle school,
  • the use of Inspiration (concept mapping software) to support visual approaches to learning, and
  • an online grading and homework posting system to encourage family involvement.

An example of a topic from business is

  • the development of the curriculum and website for a safe sex campaign.

An example of a topic from higher education is

  • the conversion of degree information from a text-based to an online format.

Here are two examples of very good papers that were done by students in past versions of the class. The case questions were different, as was the list of readings, but they nevertheless give an idea of the sort of tone and scope that is expected.
Example 1 | Example 2

Part One, Introduction to the Case, (draft due 9/22):

This part of the case is a description of the official, institutional view of the innovation and its current status. It should answer the questions posed below.

  • Logic Map Visual: Officially, what is supposed to happen? What are the planned inputs, outputs and outcomes?
  • Narrative: What is the setting? What is the relevant history or background information? What is the rationale for the technology adoption? Who are the "players" (i.e. leaders, followers, intended audience)? What is the current status of the innovation? Have there been any changes that have been made to the goals or scope of the innovation? What is the degree of progress made in implementing the innovation? Have there been any significant changes that have occurred in the setting of the innovation?

Part Two, Integration (draft due 9/22):

This part of the case is an analysis of your case against technology integration ideals:

  • According to the literature (research and theory we have read), what are the purposes and possibilities for technology integration?
  • Based upon your experiences with the ETIPS cases and the data collection tools we’ve reviewed, what are the key things leaders should collect data about to know the readiness, facilitating factors, and barriers to meeting the technology integration vision at a site?
  • What is the vision for technology integration in your case? To what degree is the quality and quantity implied by the vision being realized? To what would you attribute its progress in this dimension, or lack thereof?

Part Three, Implementation (draft due 10/20):

This part of the case is an analysis of your case against technology implementation ideals:

  • According to the literature (research and theory we have read), what are the dimensions, possibilities, and the desired impact of ideal technology implementation models?
  • Based upon your experiences with the ETIPS cases and the data collection tools we’ve reviewed, what are the key things leaders should collect data about to know the readiness, facilitating factors, and barriers to meeting the technology implementation ideals at a site?
  • How would you describe your case’s technology implementation model? To what would you attribute its quality, or lack thereof?

Part Four, Leadership (draft due 11/17):

This part of the case is an analysis of your case against technology leadership ideals:

  • According to the literature (research and theory we have read), what are the important roles and responsibilities that comprise team-based technology leadership?
  • Based upon your experiences with the ETIPS cases and the data collection tools we’ve reviewed, what are the key things leaders should collect data about to know the readiness, facilitating factors, and barriers to effective technology leadership at a site?
  • How would you describe the technology leadership team members’ roles and responsibilities in your case? To what would you attribute their effectiveness or impact, or lack thereof?

Complete case (i.e. final version of previous 4 sections) plus
Pt. 5 Conclusion, (due 12/8, by noon):

Conclusion about the leadership in this case (by both positional and non-positional leaders).

  • Restate the key leadership issues to bring closure to discussion of case.
  • Implications from your case analysis about its leadership for change and educational technology integration, implementation and leadership.

Sara Dexter © 2003