How Do We Get from Here to There?

Standards, differentiation, engagement, etc. are all ideas school administrators are comfortable using and discussing with staff.  Technology integration is a completely different matter. How can you possibly become comfortable with ideas and resources that are in a constant state of change? Why bother at all? Won’t a lot of this integration just lead to more problems?

In response to Scott McLeod’s call for contributions to Leadership Day 2009, here are my ideas for how school leaders can help themselves and their staffs begin to find some answers to those questions.

• First, I think there should be a distinction between the idea of technology integration and the tools or resources used to achieve it.  ISTE’s Technology Standards for Administrators is a good place to start when looking at the idea. I had the privilege of participating in one of the groups that helped to refine the language in the latest edition of these standards.  To me, one of the key ideas can be found in standard 1a which states that administrators need to “engage in an ongoing process to develop, implement, and communicate technology-infused strategic plans aligned with a shared vision.” There isn’t a one-time answer to the problem. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.  It shouldn’t be randomly started and stopped.  It is okay not to have all the answers at one time. As you learn more, you will be able to refine your technology plan to match that shared vision.
• Why bother? The world is changing. The way the business world works is changing. The way the scientific world does work is changing. The way we live in modern culture is changing.  As educators, we need to change how we do business as well.  Students are saavy enough to see that their time in school is different the “real” world. Most use technology in outside of school, but that doesn’t mean they know how to use that technology to extend learning, extend thinking, or be creative.
• What about the problems? Yes, you’ll have to repair or replace equipment. Don’t you replace books? Yes, you’ll need to invest in time and moey to educate yourself and your staff.  Don’t you keep up on education news, trends, and provide professional development in other areas? Yes, there are ways students can get to sites you don’t approve of and find ways to cheat. Students break all kinds of rules every day in your school. Learn about the copyright, fair use, and Creative Commons, and then teach students about digital citizenship.  If we don’t, who will? Give students more real, engaging, meaningful experiences with technology in the curriculum and they will have less interest in getting around the rules and filters.
• Ready for more?  Talk to members of your staff who are more comfortable with technology, talk to students about what technologies they use and what bothers them about not being able to use mote technology in school. Think about your own life. How is your own use of technology different than it was one year ago, five years ago, or ten years ago.

The truth is that the target isn’t really moving. It’s more a matter of deciding you actually want to hit it in the first place.  If we are serious about standards, differentiation, and engagement; school administrators must take the lead learning about what target looks like and helping themselves and their staffs take aim.