Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Most important technology stadard for administrators.
After reading the five standards many times, I think that standard number two, digital age learning culture is the most important for administrators to model. A vision for a comprehensive integration of technology is important, however I see too many cases where administrators have visions that are not carried out. Performance indicator A states that administrators ensure instructional innovation focused on continuous improvement of digital age learning. To me, this is a call to action. It is a call to leave the instructional methods of the 50's and 60's behind and move into the 21st century. It bothers me that we are not meeting kids needs where they are. I hear so many times from students that school is "boring" and I have to admit, more times than not, I agree with them. These digital natives live in a world of constant entertainment and instant information, but we are teaching them with boring, slow tools like pen and paper. Secondly, performance indicator B tells us we should model and promote the frequent use of technology. I believe this also calls for action on the part of administrators to use the latest technology and make sure others see us. If others see us leading the way by actually using the latest greatest technology others will have to get on board just to keep up with us. If the only way I communicate with you is through e-mail or text messaging, it will force teachers to use these tools. We need to equip our schools with the latest technology tools and and get rid of the old ways of teaching. Technology needs to be learner centered, that means that we need to spend money to give the students the technology, not just the teachers. The students need the technology in their hands. When was the last time that we purchased technology for the students to use? If we can find a way to get technology into the students hands, train our staff to use the latest technological tools, we can change the culture of our schools. If all students have access to technology and all classrooms have the latest digital instructional tools, I think both will use them and infusion of their use will naturally happen. Teachers and students alike have to get access to the tools before they can use them. I keep thinking what kind of messages we could send to students and teachers alike if we give them new technology to use. When you give someone something of value, for example a new mini computer, it tells them, I care enough about you to spend money on you. I trust you enough that I am giving you something of value. I think that message alone would excite the staff and student body enough to begin to change the culture of public schools. In conclusion, standard two appealed to me most because I saw a call to action to actually change the way schools teach kids.
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You make some good points and I agree with everything you are saying. As I read your statements, I can't help but to look at it as you proposing a "vision" for preparing a digital-age learning culture at a school. I see where you are coming from with performing all of the actions for making a school more technologically friendly for students and teachers. My opinion is just that all of it in not possible without the visionary leadership. Our high school has a grant where each student is assigned their own personal laptop. It does open up a whole new world of learning and teaching for the students and teachers but it also raises a whole new world of concerns for each as well. That is why I feel that visionary leadership is most important because you have to have the vision and the flexibility to make changes to that vision as time changes.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your vision and your ideas. Creating a digital age culture is immersing the whole school, faculty and students in technology in order to prepare all for the 21st century. Having a vision is a must, but following through with that vision is something we do not see very often. We must put the technology in the student’s hands. We must provide that support so they are not behind when they go away to college, or apply for a job.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of your comments, but am very concerned about how we will ever be able to obtain the type of classroom environment you are talking about. As bad as it sounds, with today's funding for schools, we will never be able to reach your goals. I believe that it is very important to expose students to all the technology that we can, but we as a school system will never be able to give a laptop to each student and update the technology as frequently as it is needed. I fully agree with your ideas and thoughts, but realistically I don't know how we as administrators or school systems can fund such high expectations. But then again, we must start somewhere with some type of vision in mind.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the thought of having a vision is very important but I do not feel it is the most important of the Standards. I agree that we need to change the classroom to make them more "21st Century" but I do not think that a vision alone is going to lead you into the correct path. I feel that PLC and staff ownership is real important into the changing of anything within the school system. While I understand that the cost of change is very high, I wonder how many people thought that we would never have a computer in every classroom 20 years ago.
ReplyDeleteYou make a lot of valid points. Due to the economy, how do we accomplish what you have in mind? In a perfect world, it would be wonderful to equip teachers as well as students with technology. However, the following questions come to mind. How do we maintain the equipment i.e. licenses, software/program updates etc. Do we keep the equipment at school or do we allow the students to take the equipment home. What kind of contingencies would we have in place in case of loss or damage to the equipment? Getting the equipment might be inexpensive, but keeping and maintaining the equipment could be costly over the long run.
ReplyDeleteI see the value in all of your points. I would ask that we reflect again on the order in which we implement each standard. I agree that there are too many cases where administrators have visions that are not carried out. However, I maintain my belief that the "vision" starts the ball rolling. There must be a plan for where the school should go and plan for how to get there before we start developing the "digital culture".
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with your points about moving into the 21st century and having teachers use these technologies, your approach may not be as effective. "Forcing" teachers into something will not make them have ownership of the development and learning of how to teach our digital natives. Having an "iron fist" at times is effective if there is not another choice and if all other options have been tried. However to approach the situation in that way without weighing all of your options may not help you achieve the outcome that you desire as a leader.
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