DEVELOPING A PLAN: CHANGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS FOR 21st CENTURY THROUGH ICT INTERGRATION

2^nd Essay Assignment

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Name of the institution: Unicaf University

Course: Teaching and Learning Management

Unit code: UU- EDU-710-ZM-23455

Student’s name: Eunice Nyakio Gathoni

Students number: R1809D6255530

Name of the supervisor: Charles B.W. Prince

Date of submission:8th March,2021.

TABLE OF CONTENT

ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………….4

KEY WORDS……………………………………………………….......5

INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………5

1.1Initiative………………………………………………………….….6

1.2Implementation………………………………………………………6

1.3Sustainability…………………………………………………………7

CONCLUSION………………………………………………………….8

REFERENCES………………………………………………………….9

Abstract

The main aim of this article is to highlight a proposed plan for change process through ICT integration in all subjects in my institution, which is a secondary school in Kenya. Change management is the discipline that guides how we prepare, equip and support individuals to successfully adopt changes. It may be defined as the procedural ways in which an organization puts to practice changes both in its internal and external processes(asq.org). Change management provides a structured approach for supporting individuals in the organization to move from their own current states to their own future state. Panta rei phrases the Greek phrase, which is used to express the idea that everything flows, everything changes. As for organizations, its well-known that their survival, growth and competiveness in the turbulent world depends on their ability to manage change, both the internal and external environment (Wieck and Quinn,1999.) The change process plan involves developing a professional program designed to support teachers that are learning to integrate ICT in the curriculum.

Key words: Change Process, Change Management practices, ICT integration, feedback, SMART Goals.

1. Introduction

As much as it is my passion to have ICT integrated in all subjects in my school ,it has also been a global clarion call to move learning in schools into that sphere .Many quarters have been calling for learners to have knowledge and skills to enable them work and perform in emerging knowledge-based, digital communities(Aesaert et al,2013).It is therefore timely to introduce such change process to bring on board desirable 21^st Century skills such as,collaboration,critical thinking and problem solving; that produce a more wholesome learner (Abbott,2010). Jennifer Clement says that change in a learning institution is desirable as it involves all stakeholders who take part in bringing in the change; hence they own it Fullan, M. (2007). The school leaders and teachers are the people who have a direct link to learners to whom the change is to be implemented, hence if they are involved in the change process of, then they are likely to take charge and own the process. Any change that is not handled well may be a recipe for chaos or breed resistance.

My plan for change that I propose to develop will be on the integration of ICT into the curriculum subjects and lessons. As the ICT Head of Department(HoD) in my school, I am looking forward to bring in change by enhancing all subjects’ lessons through ICT infusion. I will focus on three phases of change namely; Introduction, implementation and sustainability as put forward by (Fullan,2007 inWentland,2000). For change to be embraced by all the involved, they must understand it well(Fullan,2001).

At the initiation stage my plan will be to explain my vision on ICT integration into all subjects in the school. After that, I will take their feedback and contributions to be evaluated and incorporated in change plan as leaders who share their ideas with their followers get their support(Fullan,2001a). For achievement of good results, my communication with the stake holders is key and as such, the way I communicate the change process to my senior s and fellow teachers is of great importance. The plan is to make the teachers understand the underlying benefits that are to be reaped by incorporating ICT in their lessons Bowers, B., Nolet, K., Roberts, T., &Esmond, S. (2009). As they plan and scheme, they should clearly indicate the lessons that are going to be integrated. The timetable committee should also show all the lessons that are to be integrated in the general timetable, indicating the actual time, class, room and teacher to do so. Greenwood, Creaserand Maynar (2008) stated that, including such details in a teacher’s schemes of work as teachers planned their lessons increases productivity. This process should be gradual and should form part of the strategy for change; to avoid throwing the learners and the teachers implementing the change process into shock.

Initiative: The issue of ICT integration in secondary schools in my country is very significate given the number of learners that transit from primary to secondary schools. That is why I feel that this planned change process is going to impact on many youthful Kenyans; hence creating a holistic future citizen who is beneficial to the whole world. To start with, I would ask the teachers with computer skills and knowhow to help me in assisting those teachers that have no skills at all learn the basic skills. This is to eliminate any technophobia amongst the teachers and establish a common baseline for all. That way, these teachers taking the others through the basic skills will feel honored and valued as part of the team to implement the change process that I am working on (Gabriel,2005). This way, I will have a team under me and together we will set our goals using the (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound(SMART) goal approach. This will help us implement and sustain the change. This will mean, as much as I am the lead, my team will share in this leadership. Shared leadership is a dynamic interactive process among people with an objective of leading each other to achieve group or organization or both Martin et al, 2008.In the same manner, (Remley ,2003) states that the conditions for change is supposed to be ‘inclusive, positive and accepting’.

Implementation: This is the second phase that will include establishing the actual timetable organizing the computers and equipment; as well as establishing connectivity. According to Earle (2002), technology is integrated when it is used in a smooth manner to support and extend curriculum objectives and to engage students in meaningful learning. My team and I are to borrow from the National ICT mission in my country as we plan this change process. It states ‘ICT integration and education means the incorporation of information communication technologies to support and enhance the attainment of curriculum objectives, to enhance the appropriate competences including skills, knowledge, attitudes and values and to manage education effectively and efficiently at all levels.’ In a school environment where leadership encourages growth and use of personal abilities and talents, teachers are more willing to share information(wentland,2010). As a team, we will rack our minds on the best ways to sources the needed material and equipment. Clement (2014) states that teachers want changes that benefit the learners though it may require hard work, they would do their best for their students.

Sustainability: This means whether the changes will be incorporated in the school program or will be abandoned at some point in time(Fullan,2007). As highlighted earlier in this write up, my plan proposes on ICT integration in all subjects in our school. Teachers and learners will continually be encouraged to continue embracing the change with enthusiasm and positivity as indicated in Fullan’s framework for leadership and commitment both external and internal(Fullan,2001). This change process should be part of a cycle which supports teachers learning, trying out the acquired skills as well as giving out feedback. Therefore, the process of effective ICT incorporation should not be facilitated in isolation or as a stand-alone event but a day-to-day practice for all subjects. My team and I will also get opportunities to share our successes, challenges and make new discoveries to sustain the change.

Conclusion: My change process plan to have all subjects integrated through ICT is exciting and I am committed to it. Its success will be pushed by my team and through the model of shared leadership. The change process will also involve all the other stakeholders because their ownership of this process is crucial for the integration of ICT to be fully integrated and to become part of the system. The process will be introduced in phases and the change agenda will be introduced in phases and sustained to be fully implemented into the system through positive energy and hard work (Ali, A., & Ivanon, S. (2015). I will constantly require reiterations of learning about emerging technologies and pedagogical practices that are in line with the national ICT initiatives.

REFERENCES

Abbott. (2010) Over schooled but undereducated: How the crisis in education is jeopardizing our adolescents. London; Continuum Int.Pub, Group.

Aesaert, K. et al (2013). The content of education technology curricula: A cross-curricular state of the art. Educational Technology Research and Development,61(1),131-151

Ali, A., &Ivanov, S. (2015). Change Management issues in a large Multinational Corporation: A study of people and systems. International Journal of Organizational Innovation, 8(1), 24-30.

Bowers, B., Nollet, K., Roberts., & Esmond, S. (2009). Implementing Change in Long- term care. School of Nursing. New York, USA: University Wisconsin- Madison.

Clement, J. (2014). Managing mandated educational change. School Leadership & Management, 34(1), 39-51.

Earle, R. (2002). The integration of instructional technology into public education: promises and challenges. Educational Technology,42(1),5-13.

Fullan, M. (2001). The new meaning of Educational Change. 3^rd ed. New York: Teachers College Press.

Fulllan, M. (2001a). Leading in a Culture of Change. San Francisco: Jossey – Bass.

Fullan, M. (2007). Leading in a Culture of Change. John Wiley & Sons.

Weick, K. E., & Quinn, R. E. (1999). Organizational Change and Development. Annual Review of Psychology, 50, 361-386.