After examination of the current technology standards for students, teachers and administrators I see a need for change in the upcoming administrator standards. The new administrator standards should be more closely aligned with those of the student and teacher standards. The current standards for administrators do not involve as much modeling of technology's use in education as those of the teacher. Both teachers and students are required to continuously build upon gained knowledge toward continued hands-on use of technology within the school and throughout their daily lives. Under current standards, administrators are more responsible for providing an environment for technology rather than demonstrating its uses.
Currently modeling the use of technology is only a small part of the administrator standards. I believe that modeling can be integrated throughout the other standards in a similar way that the teacher standards are. It is apparent that the teacher not only provide for the use of technology in relation to modeling but also in development, design and facilitation. Technology's use has been integrated as a tool to develop all current standards. Administrators as well need to be using technology toward the development of the standards. It is no longer good enough for an administrator to promote or provide an environment for technology. New standards should require the administrator to utilize technology in reaching those goals.
My overall reaction to the 2002 administrator standards is that they are now dated. At one time it may have been good enough for an administrator to simply put technology in the schools and praise the teachers that utilized these tools. Today administrators should be going above and beyond promotion. School leaders should be leading by example and using technology to the fullest extent to capitalize on the many benefits it brings to the school. Through the use of technology, teachers and students alike can see the benefits of leaders using new tools in a responsible and tech-savy environment.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Patrick:
I support your belief that administrators must be held to a higher standard in regards to technology. It is similiar to, "practice what you preach." Although, I believe technology is overrated, I do support that administrators must have a thorough knowledge of it in order to provide what is neccessary for staff development in technology.
Patrick,
I agree with your views that administrators need to do more than just provide an environment for technology. Administrator standards do need to be more closely aligned with those of the teacher and the student. In order for an administrator to be an instructional leader in the use of technology, he would have to do more than just provide the resources.
In my posting about the tech standards for teachers and administrators I pointed out the difference in verbiage. Standards for teachers included verbs like model and create where as administrative standards used the word provide frequently. I think you and I are definitely in agreement that it's not enough for administrators to simply put the technology in place. In order to make it more authentic they to need to model and create.
I agree that administrators need to lead by example. I would further like to point out that an administrator would not be as effective in observing a lesson that utilizes technology if he/she is unfamiliar with the technology being implemented by the teacher and his/her students.
I agree with you that administrator should lead by example. It is very important in any career area to lead by example, particularly in all levels of education.
Patrick,
I agree with you and other people that commented.
I feel that we "future administrators" should be proficient or at least have a thorough understanding of specific technology tools/or concepts utilized within our schools.
I think what would be even better if we assist a student with an application (ex. spreadsheet, database, web cam, etc.) or even answer a question during a walk-through or perhaps at the end of an observation. This action would be speak volumes to the teacher as well as the student. It would demonstrate that we have a vested interest in what's occurring in the school as a whole and the classroom.
Additionally, we will take it a step further than just demonstrating how we utilize technlogy during staff/professional development.
Post a Comment