1. The new administators standards should definitely parallel the new teacher standards. To be an effective leader, an administrator must facilitate learning in his/her professional learning community, communicate with and model digital tools, promote digital citizenship, and lead in professional growth in the digital age. Administrators have to be instructional leaders in this digital world. For those of us who have been in education many years, it is not always easy to embrace this new world of technology; however, if we are to be effective leaders, we have to be receptive to learning the digital tools ourselves, promoting and modeling them, and keeping up with the "cutting edge" of technology for our teachers' and students' sakes. One particular obective of standard number 1 for administrators is to "foster and nurture a culture of responsible risk taking and advocate policies promoting continuous innovation wih technology." I totally agree that as leaders we have to be "brave enough" to take these risks so that we can create a learning environment for all that models what the world of education looks like today.
2. As I looked at the administrators standards and the six focus areas, it seems that all areas of focus have been covered. I do feel that there needs to be more monitoring by the administrators to ensure that technology infusion is realistically taking place in all classrooms. These words are found in the administrators standards: ensure, model, foster, nurture, provide, apply, create, participate, support, maintain, assess, evaluate, implement, and allocate. If all of these things are truly done by an administrator, then technology infusion will occur. The administrator must be a continuous visible participant and observer in these digital practices or it will be very easy for some involved to just fall back to "the old way of doing things."
3. My reaction to the administrators standards is one of agreement from the heart, but one of skepticism from actual practice that I have seen on the part of administrators. Administrators also need support from their districts to be able to implement this digital world. One particular objective under standard number 4 for administrators states, "allocate financial and human resources to ensure complete implementation of technology plan." This definitely needs support from the district so that the administrator will have what is needed to indeed take our teachers and students into the digital world of the 21st century.
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6 comments:
I agree that teachers need to be monitored more in this area. However, I also feel that administrators need to be monitored in this area as well. Many administrators are still struggling with checking their e-mail and adding pictures to newsletters. Who is really monitoring their technological advances?
Tammie,
I agree wholeheartedly with you about us "older" educators! We need to be receptive to all the new technology. And then show those young squirts that we can do it too!!! :) :)
I do like the idea of monitoring the use of technology in the classroom although the teachers may not like it.
Funding for this "digital age" will be an obstacle that does not have a quick fix. As administrators we have to search for money through grants, and community organizations. As you said the school districts can also play a big role in this money game. When we get funding we have to make sure it is right for our school and that the teachers are actually using the "digital tools." I have witnessed some teachers get a new "digital tool" and use it for a week and then use it as a dust collector. Another problem that occurs is by the time the tool is purchased, sent to the school and finally installed it is out dated. That is why it is so important that we stay on top an up to date with the digital age.
I agree that administrators should keep up with the "cutting edge" of technology because it is sad when our students sometimes can run circles around us when it comes to technology. I hate to omit this, but I had to get students to help me with technology issues in my classroom from time to time. It may be a bit embarrassing, but it pushed me to learn all I can about the tools I use so I can effectively execute my lessons.
If teachers are not closely monitored, some may choose to do very little with technology. I agree that can be achieved by closely monitoring the use of technology through walk throughs, lesson plans, and observations. I also agree that administrators will need the support from central office to purchase,install the technology, and train the staff in its use.
Earlier I responded to someone about administrators budgeting a fair amount of their school's budget to assist with technology, but I do realize it is not always possible for principals to use their budget where they see fit. Like someone else just said, sometimes it depends on your LEA decision. Principals still need the support of their central office, superintendent, etc to accomplish the goals of high technology standards.
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