Strategic planning is essential to achieve our goals for learning in the digital age. Strategic planning embraces the general structure of any thoughtful, systematic process. That is, stakeholders begin with a gap analysis or needs assessment, then define goals, activities, timelines, and outcomes to address the needs and finally evaluate whether needs were met.

Conduct a Needs Assessment

As part of the strategic planning process, states and districts should conduct a needs assessment, environmental scan, or evaluation of conditions for success. This leads to action planning that defines the audience served, professional development and resources needed to carry out the technology plan.

Define Goals, Objectives and Activities

• Develop specific goals, objectives, and activities/strategies that transform teaching and learning and align to the district’s strategic plan and results of needs assessments
• Ensure that state and federal requirements and expectations are included in goals, objectives, and strategies.
• Include a timeline to help ensure that goals and objectives are met in a reasonable time frame
• Communicate with education stakeholders the timeline for implementation and expected results
• Identify the person and/or departments responsible for each activity
• Include a process for aligning activities/strategies with curriculum standards
• Include well-defined strategies for evaluation, assessment, and accountability
• Incorporate new instructional approaches and communication models in the plan

Conduct an Evaluation

• Develop a process for measuring the effectiveness of the plan based upon metrics that were included in the goals, objectives, and activities
• Include dedicated time for planning, collaboration, communication, feedback, and adjustment during the plan’s implementation
• Determine formative and summative methods for evaluation, including online measures to document progress and achievements

As states and districts develop digital learning plans, essential components to consider include:

• Infrastructure
• Devices
• Technology & Hardware
• Platforms
• 1:1
• Funding
• Human Capacity/Professional Learning
• Content, Instruction, Assessment
• Virtual Courses
• Local innovations
• Regional/state support
• Communication
• Procurement
• Empowering Leadership
• Data and Privacy

Facilitator Guide

The Facilitator Guide – Essential Components provides education leaders with the information and resources they need to conduct a professional learning session. Participants will:

• Hear from your colleagues on how technology supports their student learning goals.
• Explore federal policy shifts around transforming learning in the digital age.
• Examine exemplar digital learning plans and identify common components across the plans.
• Create a digital learning plan that can be used as model in your state or district.
• Develop and maintain relationships with other state leaders.

• Facilitator Guide – Essential Components Presentation Slides

Key Questions

• Where is your state/district in the development of a digital learning plan?
• Do you plan to develop a digital learning plan in the next 6 months? Next 12 months?
• What factors hinder your planning process? Leadership? Staff time?
• How are you considering equity issues across your state/district?
• What funding options are you considering?
• Is your state/district considering competency-based education?
• How are you addressing personalized learning in your state/district?