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 * Reflections on Technology Facilitator / Leader Standard VII – Procedures, Planning, and Budgeting for Technology Environments **

This standard was created to promote the access of technology through a stable technological infrastructure and support. “Without adequate infrastructure support, teachers are prone to abandon technology dismissing it as unreliable (Sandholtz & Reilly; Zhao 2004). Today’s schools need modern learning facilities with computers that have high-speed Internet access. ISTE describes four categories of TF/TL duties that relate to providing access to technology that can serve as a planning guide for educational technologists. Relating this new knowledge with prior experiences, implementing the standard in my internship activities, and how the standard will affect future situations are important reflections that aide in developing a complex understanding of procedures, planning, and budgeting relating to technology environments.

I have been both a campus technologist and classroom teacher for several years. The responsibilities and duties that are required of these positions have exposed me to many aspects of procedures, planning, and budgeting for technology environments. While serving as campus technologist I have sat in monthly District Technology Committee meetings, served as campus technology representative for bond and budget meetings. Also as a classroom teacher, often I have participated in campus improvement planning design and department budgeting. However, until I read, worked with, and reflected on ISTE’s Standard VII the rationale behind the processes and collaboration was not apparent. Now having this more complete knowledge and experience I feel I can better serve the needs relating to this standard.

During the summer of 2009 I was invited to participate in a week long Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) workshop. My principal wanted me to collaborate with him and others, on the campus technology budget and the development of the entire plan on a new TEA / Region I software program. I accepted the invitation eagerly know that this would relate to my internship requirements in many ways, mainly Standard VII. During this week long workshop I participated in many functions relating to the common duties described in Williamson & Reddish’s ISTE Standards. During this week I can relate my activities closely to TF/TL-VII.B. Follow procedures and guidelines used in planning and purchasing technology resources. Additionally, TF/TL-VII.C Participate in professional development opportunities related to management of school facilities, technology resources, and purchases. Being able to combine past experiences and prior awareness with newly gained knowledge to a real life situation is important. The workshop and support were valuable practice. Having completed this hands on training through my internship activities, I believe that an improved confidence, new found respect, and general appreciated has developed for the duties related to Providing Access to Technology. In the future, all these memories and experiences will lead to my better implementation of this standard.

Standard VII was created to promote the access to technology. We need modern learning facilities with computers that have high-speed Internet access for our student to succeed in a global economy. ISTE’s four categories of TF/TL duties that relate to providing access to technology can serve as a planning guide for educational technologists. Relating this new knowledge with prior experiences, implementing the standard in my internship activities, and how the standard will affect future situations are important reflections that have aided me in developing a complex understanding of procedures, planning, and budgeting relating to technology environments.

Sandholtz, J., & Reilly, B. (2004). Teachers, not technicians: rethinking technical expectations for teachers. Teachers College Record, 106, 487-512.