MANAGEMENT (identifying)
School administrators are a key variable in effectively working to change the school culture. Bleakley and Mangin (2013) address the belief that schools are more likely to experience successful integration when the team’s vision for technology is supported by and aligned with the school’s vision for instructional improvement. Zhao and Frank (2003) note that technology innovation is less likely to be adopted if it deviates too greatly from the existing values, beliefs, and practices of administrators in schools. Given the complexity and ever changing conditions with which schools integrate technology, administration play a significant role in successful organization, promotion and adoption of technology both school wide and within individual classrooms. Formidable obstacles can make this process difficult for administration, including resistance to 21st century change, infrastructure and funding issues, as well as the administration's level of comfort with technology. Below are listed some of the attributes that contribute to each of these challenges.
Resistance to Change
Challenge(s):
Infrastructure and Funding Issues
Challenge(s):
Administration Comfort Zone
Challenge(s):
In order for school wide technology to be successful, leadership and vision must be set by school administrators. When school leaders establish a supportive and collaborative environment to facilitate and enable technology uses, schools will be better equipped to educate 21st century learners.
Resistance to Change
Challenge(s):
- Educators who have worked hard at developing successful lessons that work within their own classroom are often considered digital immigrants in 21st century learning, where students are digital natives (Prensky, 2001).
- Teachers feel overwhelmed and bombarded with the speed at which technology changes and the complexity of its deployment.
- Schools who's growth plans do not support technology integration.
- Educators who feel that they are unable to be a part of the process in successfully integrating technology at the school level.
- Educators who are being given direction from administration requiring them to adopt changes to teaching style such as technology integration, without the option of continuing with their own style of pedagogy.
Infrastructure and Funding Issues
Challenge(s):
- Hardware and Software requiring large funding support from districts which are struggling to make ends meet financially.
- Most schools are designed for 20th century styles of learning and technology was not paramount at this time. School wide infrastructure does not allow for broad spectrum of technology integration (ex. wireless internet points throughout the school, broadband connections (e10 or greater) to support the large number of devices within a school).
- Administration must still balance school budget with affordances/needs provided for other issues/areas within the school.
- Choice making in terms of which technology provides for the greatest learning and integration opportunities within a school (ex. tablets, ipads, chromebooks, BYOD).
- Getting the best ‘bang for your buck’ when it comes to the quantity of technology that can be purchased within the school budget. Remembering that infrastructure needs to be capable of supporting numerous devices.
Administration Comfort Zone
Challenge(s):
- Lack of training for principals within districts leads to challenges for integration when being told to return to schools and roll out an effective plan.
- Opportunities to practice with the technology prior to discussing with teaching staff.
- Administration being given direction from the district level which does not meet the needs of the individual school in question.
- Clear vision is not yet established prior to implementation as 21st century learning and technology integration moves quickly.
In order for school wide technology to be successful, leadership and vision must be set by school administrators. When school leaders establish a supportive and collaborative environment to facilitate and enable technology uses, schools will be better equipped to educate 21st century learners.