I think anytime a new idea or program is introduced within a school, it is essential that there is good leadership to ensure that it is a success. Also as mentioned by Perry and Areglado (2001), Leadership is necessary to help overcome obstacles. In this case it is the obstacles of integrating technology into instructional practice. I think good leaders in schools are always looking for ways to take the school to another level instead of waiting to do something when a problem arises. The leaders, usually the principal, will not have all of the answers but it is up to them to research resources available. I think it is important that the leaders stay caught up with current trends in education and the best was to use technology in the classroom.
When it comes to integrating technology, good leadership is needed to develop a plan that would best benefit the students and teachers. This plan will help in gaining support from the public. Zimmerman (2001) mentioned that to develop a good plan you must first have vision of what it will look like. It is also important to include data showing how technology will benefit student learning. Once the leaders have developed a plan it can be presented to the public. I feel that schools should get the public more involved in educational issues. If schools do not let the public know the real issues when it comes to technology and other educational concerns then they may end up losing a lot of money and support in areas where it is really needed.
Reference:
Perry, G., & Areglado, R. (2001). The computers are here! Now what does the principal
do? In LeBaron, J.F. & Collier. (eds). Technology in its place: Successful technology infusion in schools. San Francisco, CA: Jossey- Bass.
Zimmerman, I. (2001). Building public support: The politics of technology
transformation. In LeBaron, J.F. & Collier. (eds). Technology in its place: Successful technology infusion in school. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
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3 comments:
Your first sentence is on target. Schools need to plan when any new idea comes down the pike. Often, this does not happen. Sometimes, when a new idea does come into a school there is no buy in from the community (teachers, parents, students, etc) or communities have no prior knowledge of the idea so they are angry and not accepting. How do the schools that you work in measure up to some of the ideas that you discussed in your posting? How do teachers play a leadership role at the schools you substitute in?
How about stakeholders? Do any of the schools that you work in have stakeholders to help with technology integration?
All too often our communities and schools have no idea what each other are doing. I agree that we all need to inform parents and students of our goals and what we are doing with technology. Our county recently had a technology fair to raise awareness and support. I think that this is an excellent way to also build connections with the community and possibly gain sponsors.
I like what you have to say in your blog. I agree with you when you say that it takes a group not one individual to make technology happen. We must enforce the administration of technoloy in our schools. Not only is the principal required to enforce techology use, the teachers also need to enforce it. We all know this and it is important that we know that ehre is not one person to blame if the technology is not used.
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