ISTE+Technology+Facilitation+and+Leadership+Standard+8+Reflection


 * Reflections on Technology Facilitator / Leader Standard VIII – Leadership and Vision **

ISTE’s final Standard Leadership and Vision, discusses the leadership skills necessary to create a complete strategic change for technology use. I agree with the authors describing a successful leader as one that must be able to manage people with varying opinions and divergent viewpoints to somehow reach a consensus. In particular to changing a culture of technology, several challenges exist including; awareness at all levels and concentration on AYP and NCLB. “Without this leadership and vision for instructional change, technology may be used to reinforce traditional forms of instruction, but not able to enable new ways of teaching and learning in classrooms” (Williamson & Redish 2009). This final standard completes the previous (Procedures, Policy, Planning, and Budgeting for Technology Environments), and therefore has a focus in the Leadership side. However, I have been exposed to these processes and goals in several ways**.** By examining the connections between my experiences and new information discovered, reviewing and assessing my internship related experiences, and planning for potential investigation the leadership aspects of this standard can become better understood for future success.

I believe most people who have professional education experience, have a basic understanding of the importance of vision in leadership. We have all seen our campus Principal, district Leader, or even Board member attempt to move in a direction that aligns with their own vision or long-range strategic plan. I have experienced this type of effect directly through membership in the District Technology Planning committee and Campus Improvement Plan workshop and committee. Learning about this ISTE Standard has led to several “Oh so that is why we did that” and “Now I see why…” reflecting on my previous knowledge. I clearly remember, my then district technology leader, dividing all the campus technologists in into three sub-committees for Needs, Action, and Evaluation (I guess she had the Vision covered). Also helpful, knowing that challenges are part of the process. Culture change, especially regarding technology, must be a coherent plan that the entire community can understand.

Integrating this standard with my internship involved a continuation of the CIP work that was done in a recent workshop. I had already participated in several aspects of ISTE Standard VII when assisting in the planning and designing of a new technology plan for the campus. My Principal had communicated his vision of linking all technology expenditures and programs to student learning. Standard VIII could be incorporating in the implementation of this vision. By using my position of campus technologists I realized my opportunities for the communication, support, and evaluation of our new technology plan. By writing an effective technology component to the CIP I was implementing both TF-VIII.B (Apply strategies for and knowledge of issues related to managing the change process in schools) and TF-VIII.D (Lead in the development and evaluation of district technology planning and implementation.)

Having the opportunity to lead in the technology portion of my CIP was a great experience. It gave me insights into a proven process and sharpened my leadership skills. However, as the saying or proverb goes, “the more you learn the more you realize how little you know” This was absolutely the case with the study of this standard. The glaring problem I have seen with technology implementation is the decrease in motivation and priority after the initial excitement. Thousands of dollars are spend on great hardware and software, people are trained, and even incentives are introduced - all to see a handful of teachers fully implementing and getting maximum potential out of their technology resources. Further research, experiences, and reflections are needed to answer these questions. Finally a topic that also needs further investigation the challenge of bringing awareness to the community of stakeholders whose support is critical for the sustainability of technology programs. I am eager to enter into these challenging realms of the future of education.

ISTE’s final Standard Leadership and Vision, discusses the leadership skills necessary to create a complete strategic change for technology use. I agree with the authors describing a successful leader as one that must be able to manage people with varying opinions and divergent viewpoints to somehow reach a consensus. This final standard completes the previous (Procedures, Policy, Planning, and Budgeting for Technology Environments), and therefore has a focus in the Leadership side. I have been exposed to these processes and goals in several ways**.** By examining the connections between my experiences and new information discovered, reviewing and assessing my internship related experiences, and planning for potential investigation the leadership aspects of this standard can become better understood for future success.

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, OR: International Society for Technology in Education