Empowering Education with Power Platform
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Laura Taylor: Journey from Assistant Principal to Principal
- The Power Platform and its Impact on Laura's Work Environment
- Using Power Apps to Automate Processes in Education
- Power BI: Visualizing Student Data for Better Decision Making
- Adoption and Challenges in Implementing the Power Platform
- Collaboration and Networking with the Power Platform Community
- Empowering Students with the Power Platform
- How to Get Started with the Power Platform
- Conclusion
Laura Taylor: Using the Power Platform to Transform Education
Introduction
In this episode of the Power Platform Show, we have the privilege of interviewing Laura Taylor, the Principal of a public school in Tacoma, Washington. Over the past two to three years, Laura has utilized the Power Platform to build mini solutions that have significantly improved workflow and efficiency in her work environment. In this article, we will explore Laura's journey with the Power Platform, the impact it has had on education, and how others can get started with this powerful tool.
Laura Taylor: Journey from Assistant Principal to Principal
Laura, who previously served as an Assistant Principal, recently transitioned to the role of Principal at the same school. She shares that her introduction to the Power Platform was rather serendipitous. While exploring the various apps available through their Office 365 subscription, Laura stumbled upon Power Automate (then known as Flow) and was Instantly intrigued by its ability to automate tasks. She started experimenting with automating their reading data collection process, which led her to discover Power Apps and its potential for building custom apps without coding.
Initially skeptical about her ability to build an app, Laura was encouraged by Harold Klutz from Microsoft, who believed she would excel with Power Apps. She took the plunge and found herself amazed at the possibilities. Laura's first app, focused on automating reading data collection and visualization, was a game changer for her school. For the first time, teachers had easy access to student data, and trends and Patterns became visible for intervention. This app not only transformed data collection but also improved collaboration among teachers and interventionists.
The Power Platform and its Impact on Laura's Work Environment
Through her journey with the Power Platform, Laura has come to realize the limitless potential of the platform. She stresses the importance of identifying a problem or challenge before diving into Power Apps or any other tool within the Power Platform. By focusing on problem-solving, Laura found the motivation to explore the capabilities of Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI to Create tailored solutions. The Power Platform has allowed Laura and her colleagues to automate manual processes, Visualize data, collaborate effectively, and make data-driven decisions.
Using Power Apps to Automate Processes in Education
One of the areas Laura tackled with Power Apps was streamlining the check-in and checkout process for teachers working with Tier 2 students. By leveraging Power Apps, teachers can easily set goals for students, Record their progress throughout the day, and visualize the data on Power BI dashboards. This automated process not only saves time but also enables teachers to identify trends and tailor interventions for students. Laura also implemented a bus check-in app, created with the help of the Power Platform community, to eliminate the challenges associated with bus arrivals and student tracking.
Power BI: Visualizing Student Data for Better Decision Making
Power BI proved to be another invaluable tool for Laura and her team. By connecting Power Apps data to Power BI, they were able to visualize reading assessment data in a Meaningful and comprehensive manner. Instead of simply recording scores, the app captured additional reading data that was previously inaccessible. Through Power BI, the team could identify patterns, analyze trends, and make informed decisions to improve student outcomes. This seamless integration of Power Apps and Power BI has revolutionized the way student data is utilized in Laura's school.
Adoption and Challenges in Implementing the Power Platform
Adopting new technology in any organization can be challenging, and Laura experienced her fair share of obstacles. One of the key challenges she faced was shifting the mindset of her staff from traditional paper-Based processes to digital solutions. To facilitate adoption, Laura introduced the Power Platform within the familiar Context of Microsoft Teams, where teachers were already collaborating and sharing resources. By framing Power Apps as a tab within Teams, she made the transition seamless and less overwhelming for her colleagues. She believes that identifying a problem and showcasing how the Power Platform can solve it is instrumental in driving adoption.
Collaboration and Networking with the Power Platform Community
Laura attributes much of her success with the Power Platform to the incredible support and collaboration within the community. By reaching out on social media platforms such as Twitter, Laura connected with like-minded individuals who were eager to help and share their expertise. The network she has built not only fosters continuous learning but also serves as a sounding board for ideas and innovative solutions. Laura emphasizes the importance of connecting with the Power Platform community for inspiration, guidance, and technical support.
Empowering Students with the Power Platform
While Laura hasn't directly involved her students in building apps, she envisions the potential for student involvement in the future. The neighboring middle school has already started engaging students in building apps, taking AdVantage of their access to the Power Platform. By introducing students to the Power Platform, they can develop valuable technical and problem-solving skills while creating solutions that benefit their peers and the school community.
How to Get Started with the Power Platform
For those eager to explore the Power Platform, Laura advises starting with a clear use case in mind. Identify a problem or challenge that needs solving and determine which tool within the Power Platform can address it. By aligning the learning process with a practical application, individuals can dive into the platform with purpose and motivation. Laura recommends leveraging online resources, reaching out to the community for guidance, and actively participating in forums and discussions to fast-track learning and skill development.
Conclusion
Laura Taylor's journey with the Power Platform exemplifies the transformative potential of this powerful toolset. By leveraging Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI, Laura has revolutionized data collection, streamlined processes, and empowered educators to make data-driven decisions. Through her collaboration with the Power Platform community, Laura has expanded her network and gained valuable insights from diverse perspectives. With her unwavering belief in her abilities and the support of the community, Laura continues to utilize the Power Platform to transform education and improve student outcomes.