Practice shifting your thinking about technology by doing the following:
Every time you or someone else says the word "technology" replace it with instant information use and/or instant communications.
For example, someone says: "We need a new technology plan."
You say: "We need a new information use and communications plan."
Across Iowa administrators, faculty, and other stakeholders are grappling with ways to improve their schools through constant conversations related to student and faculty learning. It is not uncommon for these conversations to also include the question: "What is the role of technology in comprehensive school improvement and professional development?" What if you and your administrative team deliberately facilitated a school improvement session on the role of technology? How would you organize it? What if you deliberately shifted the conversation from thinking about technology plans (centered upon boxes, wires, and technical features) to a learning community development plan (focused upon best practice interactions)? What questions would you consider and why? Let's examine some "starter questions."
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Remember "toolishness is foolishness." Becoming enamored by the tool you are using (i.e. PC or MAC platform, laptop or Personal Digital Assistant, etc.) is less important than staying centered upon the question: "What information can we best use to improve our practices and student learning?" With a thoughtful answer to this question, the proper tool or software to purchase becomes much clearer.
From Tech Plan
To Learning
Community Plan
What technology do we need?
What level of best practice collaboration do we expect of all?
What is our technology plan?
What is our information and skills development and use plan?
What technology should we buy?
What data must all access and use?
Should we go wireless?
What common practices must all share?
What platform should we use?
Does our plan center upon use of best practice instructional strategies?
How can technology support in-service?
How can technology increase faculty and staff knowledge building?
What will we do for in-service?
What daily workplace practices must be publicly done by all?
Who will present?
What practices must all share daily?
What will we do next time?
How do team members' use of technology impact the actions of other team members?
What information must be presented?
How are lessons learned documented and used by all?
Do we need a webmaster?
How can we a build a web site where all are engaged in its content and its use?
What is the role of leadership in technology plan development?
What is the role of leadership in considering how technology supports comprehensive school improvement and professional development?
