Bricks are architectural elements that are used to create the foundation to some type of structure. Some structures require more bricks than others, but each brick is important in building the foundation each of these structures. There is a strong similarity between what we all know as a brick to the Enterprise Architecture (EA) Brick, a planning and communication tool. The EA Brick is a technology framework that outlines the scope of use and life cycle of a technology area.
As I was researching to clarify my understanding of what an EA Brick is, I struggled because I didn’t have any frame of reference to help me make connections. So, I began brainstorming various projects my district is exploring and how these projects can be enhanced and redefined by the integration of technology. I created an EA Brick for social media and its benefits for supporting and sustaining professional learning for the district’s teachers. There is nothing currently in place, therefore I developed this brick as a recommendation for the Instructional Leadership Team and Technology Department. It is focused on social media and how it can can create continuous, differentiated and supportive professional learning activities.
I started with the end in mind, listing Strategic Technologies to fulfill this purpose two to five years from now. Then I looked at our current technologies, Baseline Technologies, that are currently being used, minimally for this purpose and have proven ineffective. This is the reason that the same technologies are listed under Containment. The Emerging Technology is the district’s website, since it is only a few months old and in the process of being developed, so evaluating it will assist with determining if there is potential in developing it for this purpose. In an effort to begin creating a professional learning environment and culture, social media is being recommended as a Tactical Technology to fulfill the short term needs of the district.
Without a clear understanding of the outcome of creating an EA Brick, the result provided clarification. I now have a tool that I can use to support my recommendation to the Instructional Leadership Team and Technology Department in my district on my plan to sustain an ongoing professional learning culture in my district.
As I was researching to clarify my understanding of what an EA Brick is, I struggled because I didn’t have any frame of reference to help me make connections. So, I began brainstorming various projects my district is exploring and how these projects can be enhanced and redefined by the integration of technology. I created an EA Brick for social media and its benefits for supporting and sustaining professional learning for the district’s teachers. There is nothing currently in place, therefore I developed this brick as a recommendation for the Instructional Leadership Team and Technology Department. It is focused on social media and how it can can create continuous, differentiated and supportive professional learning activities.
I started with the end in mind, listing Strategic Technologies to fulfill this purpose two to five years from now. Then I looked at our current technologies, Baseline Technologies, that are currently being used, minimally for this purpose and have proven ineffective. This is the reason that the same technologies are listed under Containment. The Emerging Technology is the district’s website, since it is only a few months old and in the process of being developed, so evaluating it will assist with determining if there is potential in developing it for this purpose. In an effort to begin creating a professional learning environment and culture, social media is being recommended as a Tactical Technology to fulfill the short term needs of the district.
Without a clear understanding of the outcome of creating an EA Brick, the result provided clarification. I now have a tool that I can use to support my recommendation to the Instructional Leadership Team and Technology Department in my district on my plan to sustain an ongoing professional learning culture in my district.