From the STaR Chart: Challenges in Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support

This challenge area on the Star Chart deals with the administrator’s responsibility for leadership in the area of technology. A responsible leader is innovative, has a vision, and is committed to the standards set by the Texas Long-Range Plan. Because of the on-going changes in technology, it isn’t possible for just one person to be trained in all areas of planning and implementing. Collaboration and on-going planning are needed to see improvement in student learning based on data-driven decisions.

Administrators must provide the leadership and the vision to encourage the staff to meet the expectations set forth by the long-range plan. Professional development that not only introduces a new aspect of technology but provides an opportunity for collaboration and implementation is essential to making this work. Teachers must be comfortable with the use of technology before they are willing to try it in front of their students. A staff development that merely “tickles” the inquiring mind is a waste of time. The teachers need to be taught a rational that can be justified in its use in the classroom. After studying the technology, they need ample opportunity to try it out in collaboration with teachers in their grade level to work out the “kinks” and become comfortable in it’s use. My recommendation would be to provide the time and training for collaboration and implementation as an integral part of staff development and/or set aside training time within the school day.

One improvement towards better implementation of technology into lesson plans is the availability of a trained ITS department (information technology staff). They encourage us to use pod-casts, train us in the creation and upkeep of web-pages, and stay current with best practices. They usually respond to a request for assistance within the school day that the request is made.