TFTL+Standard+VIII

TF/TL Standard VIII: Leadership and Vision

In TF/TL Standard VIII: Leadership and Vision, the performance indicators include identifying and applying research, identifying and applying instructional design principles, managing the change process, managing group process skills, and leading in the development and evaluation of technology planning and implementation (Williamson 186-187). As we worked through this standard, I learned about wikis, the long term technology plan in Texas, and how to design and implement effective professional development. Prior to this, I knew about the STaR chart and had filled out an assessment of myself and my school. After this, I was able to connect that data to the long term plan and the direction that things should be going. In my own experience, I knew that there were some professional development sessions that I had attended (as well as some that I had facilitated) that I had enjoyed much better than others. This standard helped me to work through why that is and the specific elements that can be used to make a professional development session engaging and effective. I prepared a professional development session for my campus and we invited another special campus to join us for this session (October, 2009). The session was on ARD preparation and the writing of IEPs, so the content itself of the session was fairly dry. I was able to use what I learned in regards to this session to incorporate multimedia, encourage participation of attendees, and get people involved, rather than just sitting as passive listeners. I was also asked to share last year on the history of technology use in education and the basics of educational technology (October, 2009). The wiki I created for special education teachers to share ideas and ask for advice within our district has been something that we have found beneficial (September, 2009). More and more teachers are using it to collaborate and share experiences across campuses. I also worked with my campus technology facilitator to write a series of interactive lessons using our SMART board that we used in the grade level classrooms to present that content to our students (November, 2009). The students were engaged in this in an exciting way.

The group process aspect of this standard is something that was of particular interest to me. Group dynamics within any organization are constantly changing and so it is important for any leader, including a technology leader, to be in tune with this and to adjust to this. I have tried to do exactly that and have found myself being more diplomatic in most situations. I have also focused more on the important but sometimes subtle differences that are necessary when communicating in print rather than in person. I have continued to notice hesitancy from some teachers, especially those in the teaching profession longer, to work with and use technology. I would like to continue to work with my campus technology facilitator to conduct more training on technology items that are introduced. This way we can have ongoing training, rather than one time training only that does not really help people to integrate the technology being introduced. I am puzzled at times about how to be better at creating a team atmosphere, rather than as "us vs. them" atmosphere with teachers who are resistant toward technology use. The same is true with teachers at the other end of the spectrum who perceive that they do not get enough access to technology. There are fewer of these, but I would like to see all of us as a campus work together to use technology for the improved success of our students.

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.