Technology Plan or Digital Strategy

 

 

The SWOT analysis below shows what we currently have in place.

Strengths

●       All teachers have laptops and there are 6 lap tops and 22 tablets for student access owned by the center

●       All students, teachers and the plant have access to internet connectivity

●       Teachers and students have prior knowledge gained during COVID on how to operate in an online environment

●       Access to zoom platform

●       Government funding has been procured to cover operational costs via subvention

 

 

 

Weaknesses

●       No Information Technology personnel

●       No Technology plan hence no digital strategy

●       No computer lab equipped with separate laptops for student use

●       No Infrastructure that is owned by the institution

●       No internet connectivity specifically billed to the center

●       No hardware like smart boards, smart TV’s, projectors, etc

●       No Professional Learning Community in the center

●       Staff in need of in-depth training on the ITSE standards, software use etc.

●       No website or online presence, Facebook, Instagram, blog

●       Need for a Tech Life Skills Programme to impart the requisite knowledge in the use of 21^st Century daily tech operations ie Teller machines, Kiosks at Airports

 

 

Opportunities

●       Part of the Aspire Foundation’s Incubator Programme 2022 so can access expertise to build a technology plan with an effective digital strategy

●       Trust budget potential $20,000.00 investment in technology

●       Directors competent in accessing project funding and project management and can pivot creatively

●       Training of youth in use of digital tools for work about to start and procurement of relevant tech cash registers

●       Self-determination over our own operational budget as opposed to regular schools

●       Cash earning opportunities for the center means we can invest in digital technologies over time

●       Work has started on building a website

●       Directors are now digitally aware of the need for a technology plan with a strong digital strategy

 

Threats

●       They own no property or infrastructure

●       Their physical existence depends on the church

●       The directors are not tech savvy

●       Limited pool of resources in terms of funding

●       Global inflation increases are driving up the cost of doing business and accessing services

 

 

Based on the analysis above we need a technology plan at this time with an effective digital strategy. The programme is young and only now government funded with no real infrastructural home- base nor IT to co-ordinate and guide the administrators unto a wholistic technological path. The use of technology has to be integrated into the day-to-day administrative tasks such as registration, student and employee files, day to day tracking and recording of projects and activities which records student achievement, progress or even project failures. Also, when dealing with young people who are vulnerable security is of uptmost importance so the strategic placement of cameras outside the building may be necessary. We also need to promote the importance of each family having access to internet and tablets, educate parents on the usefulness of the technology and how tech can ease their running up and down especially if their youth has mobility issues.