Non Tech Savvy Administrators

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Permalink Reply by Tekkieteacher on April 9, 2008 at 6:18pm

Hi Ryan --

Don't get frustrated. Technologically challenged administrators and teachers do still exist. But, I've been working as an Instructional Technologist for four years now and I've seen a shift happening. I think showing by example is the key. Once they see how beneficial technology is to the instructional process (and NOT just to analyze data), my experience has been they get pretty excited about it.

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Permalink Reply by John on April 9, 2008 at 6:35pm

Does your state have state standards set up for technology? If so, you should show her how those can be covered by using different forms fo techhnology. She should understand that technology is just as important today as the old adage when we were in school, "Math is required in every job, when you grow up."

In Ohio, we have Content Standards for Technology. Many of them require direct use of technology (ie desktops, office suite applications, email, digital video, etc)

I teach fourth grade as well, but our sad state of affairs of funding in Ohio has left us with antiquated machines throughout our building. We survive though, learning keyboarding skills, using Open Office applications, and work with a lot of OSS products.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Armitage on April 9, 2008 at 7:08pm

We have technology standards, but, of course, they are not tested thus less (or not at all) important. Use of multimedia is discouraged. No video resources of any sort. I took my students to the lab to do a webquest I created and had to explain its importance for several minutes. It was a Standards Based history webquest.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on April 9, 2008 at 7:02pm

Just do it for the kids.

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Permalink Reply by Alice Mercer on April 10, 2008 at 6:49pm

Start using the LCD projectors, it's she keeping them under lock and key? Do it, but make sure whatever you are doing is standards based, and if she asks why you are going to the lab (really, it's there, why would someone ask that, is she new to the school?) tell her what standard you are addressing FIRST, not what you are doing. Also, any special education kids? Talk about multiple modalities, and that you are fulfilling their IEP.

What state are you in? Admins are REQUIRED to take ed tech classes in California to renew their credential.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Armitage on April 10, 2008 at 7:32pm

It was great to hear everyone's ideas. I guess I was just venting more than anything. I am using as much technology as possible, and I guess there is no magic pill to get my principal to get it. I will just use more energy in teaching my principal before I teach my kids. Using a lot of research and articles will be a start, I think.

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Permalink Reply by CC Long on April 10, 2008 at 8:03pm

As a district level coordinator, I truly believe technology expectations should start at the "top" with your Superintendent and School Board's Goals. Teachers should not only be provided opportunities for relevant training in current technologies, but they must be also be supported in their use of new technology tools for learning and collaboration

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Permalink Reply by Stu on April 12, 2008 at 5:20am

BRAVO!!!! I just had an opportunity to give a whopping 15 minute BOE presentation. I was told to "show some technology that our school uses" The board had no clue what was available and started asking our Super when more of this technology would be implemented So, Ryan, I would ask if you could have 15 minutes with YOUR BOE. It was the loudest my message of technology had ever been heard...start at the top indeed! But don't expect over-night change, be persistent...

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Permalink Reply by indigo196 on April 12, 2008 at 6:22am

Excellent suggestion -- should it be well received. I always struggle with the 'go over the head' route myself. I do agree that if it is not supported by the board and SI that it will not go very far.

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Permalink Reply by indigo196 on April 10, 2008 at 8:05pm

Hmm...

I would put a copy of this in her mailbox - http://www.ncrtec.org/pd/tssa/tssa.pdf

Most administrators are afraid of failure and don't want to step out of the pack. I would perhaps see if nearby districts/buildings have more supportive administrators and then try to find some compelling success stories from those places. If you find a few then initiate a conversation with the teacher at that building and perhaps the administrator. Then name drop when your principal is around. This may make them more receptive to trying the same solutions.

As the others say if you base your work with technology in the 'standards' she can't really bring the hammer down. (lets not get started on the standards though)

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