Enterprise Architecture Frameworks

In my EDL 680 course, which is Introduction to Enterprise Architecture, we are reading Scott Bernard's "EA3: An Introduction to Enterprise Architecture" along with several other pieces of research on enterprise architecture and frameworks.  As I stated in my last entry, this is a new topic to me, one that is both exciting and a little scary to learn (exciting to learn and implement, scary as its part of a course for credit at SDSU)!

What I know and /or assume thus far is we rely on technology, in our personal and professional lives, and even at AAS as a virtual school.  AAS truly relies on the effective deployment of technology to ensure a robust educational experience is available to the scholars we serve and the staff we employ.  Technology is a key asset to many organizations, including our own.  We have several pieces of hardware and many software solutions that we utilize.  EA and EA Frameworks help ensure technology is intertwined with the mission and vision; a true partner is the strategic plan.  

As previously mentioned, I am excited to continue to learn more about EA and how it can be successfully used in the educational setting.  I am part of an amazing cohort of educational leaders from across the state, all at different stages of their careers and holding various roles within their schools.  This is the perfect cohort to learn together and find ways for each of us to utilize EA in our classrooms, schools and districts.  I am excited to use this tool as AAS works on charter renewals, WASC renewal and evaluates many of its contracts which expire at the end of the fiscal year.  (Truly exciting as a majority of our long-term contracts are up for renewal; perfect time to use EA to be on the same page and ensure everything we bring to AAS makes sense.)

In only a few short weeks, I have started to better understand EA and how it can work in education, much like it works in business and government.  This was a major federal project in the 90s.  I have also learned that I need to learn more, to better understand the best ways to use EA.  So many times we learn about a new tool and want to deploy it, without truly taking the time to understand that tool.  I plan on spending a great deal of time over the next several weeks to fully understand EA and its uses, and see how it can be used at AAS.