Technology and Leadership
In Educational
Leadership and Planning for Technology fifth
edition, Picciano (2011), that throughout our society and school system,
technology has evolved our world, through the predominance of the internet and World
Wide Web. In addition, K-12 education
has evolved into a much more outcomes-driven enterprise that depends upon
technology and data to perform many of its basic functions. Picciano (2011), that both the
theoretical and the practical considerations for planning and implementing
technology in today’s schools, with an emphasis on the total application of
technology including both administrative and instructional uses.
Therefore
in order to provide informed leadership and become agents for realizing the
powerful potential of technology in their schools, a great technology leader
must be in place. According to Hall (2008), that a key responsibility of any leader is the development, management
and characteristic of an organization’s team leader’s vision. The vision becomes a powerful vision by
allowing the organization to reach its goal.
One of the characteristics, Hall (2008), that one of a great leader is a sensei, which represents the dual role of
mentor and facilitator. They focus on assisting
individuals to growth and help solve problems.
References
Hall, Don (2008). The technology director’s guide to leadership: The power of great
questions. International
Society for
Technology in Education (ISTE): Washington, DC.
Picciano, Anthony G. (2011). Educational leadership and planning for
technology (5th ed). Pearson
Education, Inc.:
Upper Saddle River, NJ.
Brummelen, H. V. (1988). Walking with
God in the classroom: Christian approaches to teaching and learning. (3rd ed.). Colorado Springs, CO: Purposeful Design Publications.
Marshall, J. (2012) Computer engines". Retrieved July 08, 2012.
http://www.allsands.com/history/objects/history/objects/babbagecomputer_yy_gn.htm
Eric,
ReplyDeleteI can completely relate to your post on the planning process in schools. I experience a similar situation at the school where I am currently working. The Career & Technical course that I teach just received a major overhaul over the summer. We received all new equipment for the classroom. The other teachers along with me were never included in the planning process of which type of equipment would be purchased and how it would be setup. This has now become a problem due to the fact that quality equipment was not purchased. Equipment that we as technology classroom teachers would have never purchased, was bought and installed in our classrooms. I think that I will take a step back and look at my method of leadership with students as well. After reading chapter 2 in The Technology Director’s Guide to Leadership, I try to reflective leader. I think that this will benefit my students as well as myself. If I learn to reflect on my teaching experiences, I believe that I will grow as a leader in the classroom.
I enjoyed reading your post. I agree that for there to be an effective integration of technology into schools there must be a knowledgeable, innovative leader that can not only guide but inspire administration, faculty and students in step with the inclusion of technology. More specifically, I agree with your statement that “ The vision becomes a powerful vision by allowing the organization to reach its goal.” I think the vision coupled with authority to implement the vision is the key when considering, implementing and maintaining technology integration. A sensi as that leader may not always be the best leadership style but it definitely fits when the leader has the authority and resources to create and implement this type of vision.
ReplyDeleteYou worldview states that “man was created with the talents and abilities to produce a variety of tools to assist God in his work on earth. Technology aiding education and spreading knowledge is an excellent application of our abilities and talents in order to assist God’s work on Earth. In fact, on my blog I posted “As it states in Ecclesiastes 7:12 - For wisdom [is] a defence, [and] money [is] a defence: but the excellency of knowledge [is, that] wisdom giveth life to them that have it. Educators are charged with imparting knowledge to students. Educators are providing the foundation for the future through their students and because of the importance of knowledge, educators must explore every possibility in order to ensure their students receive every opportunity at knowledge.”
It is amazing when one looks around a teacher's classroom for technology. Computers, Smart boards, and other technology goes unused for various reasons. One reason is there is no time to fit in the technology with the "cookie-cutter" curriculum. Second, the teacher may only know how to use the desktop computers and leaves the other technology alone to collect dusk. Another issue is some administrators want everyone student doing the same thing when they come in - this is problematic when there are only four student computers. The computer lab gets booked weeks in advance making it difficult to get your turn.
DeleteSo a lot of the problem remains in the hands of the leaders. Teachers need to be train in new technology so they can teach students to use the devices as well. Teachers need to be given flexibilty to use technology in lessons that provide none. Funds need to be allocated for technology for every students.