Bold Leaps

Leadership 2008

Scott McLeod has asked participants of the blogosphere to write about effective school technology leadership: successes, challenges, reflections, needs, etc.  Instead of repeating what others have so eloquently said, I want to take a step back and offer suggestions administrators can take to establish a culture of change in their districts or schools--before they even write a blog, read an article about digital learners, or purchase more gadgets.

Exude positive energy.  Have a willing spirit about you that invites and inspires people to want to come to work everyday.  When you say you have an open door policy, mean it. Practice coaching skills--pausing, paraphrasing, probing--every day. Maintain positive presupposition.

Keep up on research about teaching and learning.  Know how the latest brain research impacts learning for children and adults. Know what tough questions to ask of vendors, textbook committees, and others trying to sell their particular program or initiative--not just can we afford it but how will it improve learning? Is it good pedagogy?

Honor teachers' time. Provide time in master schedule for teachers to collaborate, reflect, observe their peers. Make sure they have 15 minutes every day to explore.

Use your voice.  Speak up at meetings.  Ask questions. Propose solutions. Be the one that always asks why not? rather than defend the status quo. Encourage your staff to do the same.

Nurture champions.  Encourage the risk takers in your school to try new strategies--based on effective teaching and learning research, based on what teachers innately know about their students.  Reprioritze the budget to make sure funds are available to support teachers that think outside the box.

Lead from the front.  Don't be afraid to admit you need to learn new skills to keep up. Let your staff see you learning along with them. Put the structure in place to develop and nurture self-directedness.

Reach out.  Stay in contact with other leaders.  Find out what is working for them and dialogue about opportunities to get better at what you do.  Share this with your staff and dialogue to see if it could work for them.

Do What You Say

After attending the Upstate Technology conference last week in Greenville, SC, I made the bold move to start my own blog. Although I have been using technology in education for a long time--producing video modules, videoconferencing, computers, etc--and even talking to educators about using Web 2.0 in the classroom--I must admit I was a talker not a doer.  today's launch marks a new day! 

Listening to the two keynote speakers, Ewan McIntosh (seated in the picture--blogging or twittering no doubt!!) and Dave Jakes (standing) --two important voices in the educational technology world--convinced me that I needed to practice what I preach.  In the days, weeks, months, and hopefully, years, to come, I plan to share my reflections and experiences as I work with math and science coaches on integrating technology, create videoconferencing programs, and develop on line courses among other things.