MANAGEMENT (moving forward)
Taking into consideration many of the challenges associated with technology integration and management of the process, administration have many tools at their disposal to develop sound pedagogical practices and integration, along with check lists (or checks and balances) within their schools. Within these tools, many of the challenges faced by administration, including their own training and comfortability, are addressed. Listed below are some links of standards for administrators when promoting change within their schools.
A) ISTE Standards for Administrators - http://goo.gl/ico3Ut
The ISTE Standards for Administrators suggests there are five (5) key areas that administrators should focus on when promoting technological affordances and change necessary for successful technology integration. These include:
- Visionary Leadership
- Digital Age Learning Culture
- Excellence in Professional Practice
- Systemic Improvement
- Digital Citizenship
B) ISTE Essential Conditions - http://goo.gl/hGFHd
The ISTE Essential Conditions provides 14 guidelines that are necessary conditions to effectively leverage technology in learning. These conditions would be of benefit to administration to incorporate in school wide learning changes as they leverage technology and give administration and teaching staff a focal point throughout the process. Some of the conditions include:
- Shared Vision
- Empowered Leaders
- Implementation Planning
- Consistent and Adequate Funding
- Equitable Access
C) ISTE Performance Standards for Admin - http://goo.gl/a7ykZb
The ISTE National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Administrators further explains and clarifies the ISTE Standards for Educators through the provisions of performance indicators which administration could use to assess and evaluate the success of their technology integration program. It could be used as a list for principals and administrators to chart the progress made in transitioning to a 21st century learning environment.
D) Technology Standards for Administration - http://goo.gl/DHq1U4
Technology Standards for Administrators provides opportunity for leaders to further their knowledge surrounding successful plans for integration and implementation of technology. The standards elaborate more fully the ISTE Standards for Administrators. The standards further the challenges to full integration by providing scenarios that administrators will run into when implementing their plan. One such scenario discusses the principal envisioning the not too distant future.
E) Technology Standards for School Administration - http://goo.gl/MUhOuH
The Maryland Technology Standards for School Administrators is another checklist of indicators that administrators should strive to achieve. Linked to the ISTE Standards for Administrators, this tool gives administrators another option surrounding the assessment of the process in technology integration.
F) Principal as Technology Leader - http://goo.gl/f5oq1i
The Principal as Technology Leader is a chapter found in the book Leading the Technology Powered School. In this chapter, the author Grady (2011) describes steps that administrators can take to ensure successful technology integration. Included in the chapter are ten tasks that consummate the principal’s role as technology leader. They include:
- The principal should establish the vision and goals for technology in the school.
- The principal should carry the technology banner in the school.
- The principal should model use of technology.
- The principal should support technology use in the school.
- The principal should engage in professional development activities that focus on technology and integration of technology in student learning activities.
- The principal should provide professional development opportunities for teachers and staff that emphasize use of technology and that facilitate integration of technology into student learning.
- The principal should secure resources to support technology use and integration in the school.
- The principal should be an advocate for technology use that supports student learning.
- The principal should be knowledgeable and supportive of national technology standards and promote attainment of the standards in the school.
- The principal should communicate the uses and importance of technology in enhancing student learning experiences to the school’s stakeholders (Grady, 2011, p. 7-8).
Further to this list, the administrator must have a vision which includes:
- The leadership the principal exerts on technology integration into the teaching and learning process
- The role of teachers in integration of technology into teaching and learning activities
- The standards that will guide the technology plan for the school
- The measures that will be applied to assess technology use
- The resources that are necessary to enable effective use of technology by students and teachers
- The communication with families and community members to showcase the use of technology to facilitate student learning and achievement (Grady, 2011, p. 8)
Through the modelling of this technology, a leader should support technology use by showcasing what the technology is capable of. This can be done through staff meetings and having prominent displays set up throughout the school. Lastly, promotion of their own administrative professional development alongside the teachers within the school should be paramount to the process.
G) Ten Pillars of Successful Technology Integration - http://goo.gl/5DmO4S
The Ten Pillars of Successful Technology Integration is a chapter excerpt from Education for an Information Age: Teaching in the Computerized Classroom by Bernard Poole with Lorrie Jackson. The ten pillars approach is an overarching and systematic approach to technology integration which begins with administrative support and direction as the most essential component to a successful layout.
This info-graphic provides administration with an opportunity to assess technology integration in the classroom. Administration could work with each individual teacher to develop a model where technology integration goes above and beyond just using technology for the sake of having it.
Image source: http://goo.gl/eB6FiJ