Krista Jackson AET/560 February 15, 2016 Dr. Nortz Communication Plan Krista Jackson AET/560 February 15, 2016 Dr. Nortz

Introduction to McGraw Elementary McGraw Elementary is implementing organizational changes to the way it instructs learners. They are implementing iPads and the Promethean Board into classrooms to assist in learning To help the school and teachers, McGraw Elementary needs a communication plan. Communication is essential to the success of the organizational change.

Four Reasons for a communication plan To infuse the need for change throughout the organization. To enable individuals to understand the impact that the change will have on them. To communicate any structural and job changes that will influence how things are done. To keep people informed about progress along the way. (Tupper, Deszca, & Cynthia, 2012, p. 319)

Communication plan phases Preapproval Phase Develop the Need for Change Phase Midstream Change Phase Confirming the Change Phase (Tupper, 2012, p. 320)

How to Launch the Communication Plan : 1 Preapproval Phase: McGraw Elementary had to get top management approval to start a different way of teaching. Develop the Need for Change Process: McGraw Elementary teachers need to know why the changes are occurring, and communication through the whole process is the key to success in their organizational change.

How to launch the communication plan : 2 Midstream Change Phase: McGraw Elementary will email and have meetings about progress during the organizational change. Feedback is encouraged and needed during this phase from teachers because the organizational changes cannot be a success without feedback. Confirming the Change Phase: McGraw Elementary will have a celebration when the organizational changes are done. There will be more changes to come, so everything is cohesive, and small issues are fixed. The employees should be proud and acknowledged for their excellent work. Midstream Change Phase: McGraw Elementary will email and have meetings about progress during the organizational changes. Feedback is encouraged and needed during this phase from teachers because the organizational changes cannot be a success without feedback. Confirming the Change Phase: McGraw Elementary will have a celebration when the organizational changes are done. There will be more changes to come, so everything is cohesive, and small issues are fixed. The employees should be proud and acknowledged for their excellent work.

Technology needed to accomplish the plan : 1 Employees need the iPads for the communication, class, training, and the communication plan. An app for training purposes for the organizational change is required on the iPad. The app will have a section for communication and feedback for the communication plan. Promethean Board is needed for training and communication.

Technology needed to accomplish the plan : 2 School emails are necessary to have an email specifically for McGraw Elementary. The emails are private, and they provide a safe place for employees. Webcams are useful for video meetings or conferences. Telephones or cell phones are needed to communicate with employees when they are not able to meet in person. Phones can be in their office at school, or a plan for work cell phones can be established.

How to test the effectiveness and impact : 1 An after-action review can be conducted, which includes the questions: What were the intended results? What were the actual results? Why did the actual results happen? What can be done better, next time? (Tupper, Deszca, & Cynthia, 2012, p. 328) Assessments will take place after the organizational changes to answer these questions.

How to test the effectiveness and impact : 2 Each employee will have a chance to voice opinions during a meeting after the organizational changes. Classrooms will be evaluated with the organizational changes to see the effectiveness. Students will be able to express opinions, innovative ideas, and show proof of the effectiveness of the organizational changes.

How to generate feedback for continuous improvement : 1 Anonymous surveys of feedback and opinions should be given out to teachers. The organizational change should be assessed to make sure it is effective, and that it is being used in the right manner consistently. Setting new goals to continue improvement in the organization change will help teachers adjust to continuous smaller changes.

How to generate feedback for continuous improvement : 2 Open door policy will be implemented because teachers need a safe place to ask questions. Monthly meetings will be held for the teachers and stakeholders to address any feedback. One-on-one meetings will be requested by the school or instructor for questions or feedback to improve the organizational changes.

How to address negative responses or communications about the change : 1 Communication is essential during the change process to combat negative responses. Face-to-face communication is always good to help with two-way communication. Keep all of the teachers inspired and involved because participation helps with negative responses. A focus on collaboration can bring the teachers together to reduce negative responses.

How to address negative responses or communications about the change : 2 Change agents should engage with employees experiencing conflicting emotions to build trust. Change agents should be timely with their information to reduce rumors and negative reactions. Change agents should offer support to teachers having difficulties to combat negative responses. Change agents should address any communication errors that could be occurring with teachers.

How the communication plan can affect organizational change : 1 The communication plan will reduce stress, anxiety, resistance, and rumors. The communication plan will invigorate, inspire and motivate teachers during the organizational changes. Teachers will feel safe and supported during the changes.

How the communication plan can affect organization change : 2 The communication plan for McGraw Elementary will affect the organizational change in a positive way for everyone. The communication plan will help foresee any issues that may occur in the future to prepare for them. It will lead the way to the smaller changes that will occur after the organizational change.

Conclusion McGraw Elementary will use the four communication plan phases. McGraw Elementary will implement the technology used in classrooms for the communication plan. An after-action review will be conducted after the communication plan is complete. McGraw Elementary will use continuous changes and continuous feedback. McGraw Elementary will address negative responses quickly and professionally. They will celebrate the success of the organizational changes, and the communication plan after everything is finished.

References Tupper, C., Deszca, G., & Cynthia, I. (2012). Organizational change: An action-oriented toolkit (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.