Reflections on TF Standard VIII

Constructing a technology plan for a school district is most effective when undertaken as a community effort. State and federal approval processes often require community input (Williamson and Reddish, 2009). However, as Williamson and Reddish often point out, community based planning also offers the advantages of an inclusive approach to building understanding and consensus among community decsion makers.

I was surprised to learn that there is, in fact, a plan for technology in Irving ISD and Texas, that it is long-term in scope, and that it is almost half-way through the timeline.

As an instructional leader I would share this plan with all teachers at the school. Teachers appreciate plans and appreciate that there is help in integrating new ideas into their way of doing things. You often hear about how older teachers are resistant to change , but according to the NetDay Speak Up 2005 survey, 57% of teachers surveyed indicated the impact of technology on students is in their engagement, followed closely by achievement (2006). “Sticks in the mud” wouldn’t be likely to give any credit to technology for engagement or achievement.

In accomplishing tasks related to this Technology Facilitation Standard, I have participated in several activities.

As is the yearly custom, the Irving Celebration of Excellence (ICE) Awards show is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation that runs concurrently, and shows the names of category finalists as well as photos. My role in this event is to create a PowerPoint presentation that runs concurrently with the show. It is also my role to coordinate with the Partnerships in Education department to provide photos representing their activities to our district video production team.

In another activity, using a supplied list of CMS companies' references, contact school districts using certain systems to determine perceived effectiveness of that system for the contacted district. I contacted six Texas school districts who were listed as references by three different CMS companies. Though many of the features were similar, district personnel had very strong opinions either positive or negative for their respective CMS.

Finally, I was invited to judge final projects from a Web quest from a high school multimedia class. Judge Web Quest final projects for a high school multimedia class. I enjoyed being allowed to take part in this activity because it allowed me to see first-hand how teachers are integrating technology in a true classroom environment among a diverse group of students.

I had the opportunity to hear Mark Prensky deliver a keynote address during the 2010 IISD Summer Technology Sessions at Singley Academy June 9-11. Prensky's presentation to IISD administrators and technology faculty was focused toward preparing students to take the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) versus teaching students according to National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETs-S). Prensky said schools can make education better for kids by dealing with real issues. He also advised that curriculum writers should look at things from kids' perspective in deciding if lessons are worthwhile (MacVeigh, 2010).

To compare TAKS and NETS, Prensky said TAKS prepare students for when they leave "us" - meaning moving on to future grade levels - and NETS prepare students for the rest of their lives. He said the two are related and mutually supporting, and that curriculum writers shouldn't have to sacrifice one to teach the other. Also during the Technology Sessions, Prensky delivered small-group presentations regarding enganging "digital natives" and teaching for the 21st century. Digital Natives is a term Prensky coined to describe students who have lived their entire lives with technology available to them constantly, both at home and at school.

Marc Prensky is an internationally acclaimed speaker, writer, consultant, futurist, visionary, and inventor in the critical areas of education and learning. He is the author of several critically acclaimed books and over 60 articles on education and learning. Mr. Prensky's presentations around the world challenge and inspire audiences by opening up their minds to new ideas and approaches to education. Having the opportunity to listen to him speak allowed me to see instructional technology from a broad point of view.

I was also part of a planning committee for the adoption of a content management system for the IISD website. Our committee - comprised of the Executive Director of Technology, Public Information Director, Instructional Technology Director, Webmaster, and myself (Public Information Specialist) - began to describe to SchoolCenter designers the preferred layout of the new IISD website. Following a goal-setting session in which the webmaster and Public Information Director participated, SchoolCenter provided a site architecture framework as well as a Business Requirements Document. Through a process of picking and choosing preferred elements, our committee was able to communicate to the SchoolCenter project manager a general preference for our home page and landing pages.

With all of the above knowledge in mind, as a technology leader I would establish meaningful professional development that could either be accomplished in a group setting, or at a teacher’s own schedule on their own, that would help them make a more seamless and easier transition into integrating technology into their own curriculum.

Future learning will include how to more effectively create learning communities, such as the committee created to evaluate CMSes, in order to develop a stronger decision-making community. Research will include how to select stakeholders that will produce the most accurate and effcient results in developing a plan for whatever technology they are studying.

Evans, J. and Spero, I. (May 5, 2006). Netday Speak Up 2005 Report Highlights Students as Trend Setters in Technology Use. http://www.netday.org/news_speakup_2005_report.htm

MacVeigh, M. (July 14, 2010). Educational Futurist Addresses IISD Faculty. Irving ISD District Weekly. http://www.irvingisd.net/districtweekly/weekly356.htm

Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do. Eugene: International Society for Technology in Education.