1. Should the new administrator standards parallel the new teacher standards?
The new administrator standards for technology should, in my opinion, parallel the new teacher standards. Administrators lead the way in establishing the technology environment within their schools. As our educational system is transitioning from the Industrial Age to the Digital Age, administrators and teachers must embrace together the vision to integrate technology to promote experiences for students that will advance their learning, creativity, and innovation within the classroom through face-to-face and virtual opportunities.
2. Are there additional standards to which administrators should be held?
I do not feel that any additional standards should be in place for administrators. I strongly believe, however, as administrators are the "teachers" for the teachers in their school, they should be able to model how technology can be utilized in the classroom. It is imperative for school leaders to put themselves in a position to always be on the cutting edge of technology advances and practices to ensure that this knowledge is acquired and implemented by both teachers and students.
3. What is your overall reaction to the current administrator standards?
I believe that these standards provide a good road map for administrators to follow as they (we) facilitate Digital-Age work and learning in our 21st century schools.
9 comments:
I agree that administrators need to be able to model technology. I, like many others, also mentioned the importance of a "practice what you preach" attitude. However I'm curious,what are your thoughts about adding a monitoring piece to the new standards? You stated that you felt the current standards were a good "road map". If the standards are a map, who is going to make sure we all get to the destination?
If I am required to be the teacher's teacher and always on the cutting edge of technological advances, then I won't have much time for the rest of my duties as an educational administrator. Is it possible that I can lead effectively if I allow others on my staff to be on the cutting edge as long as I am aware of what they are doing? I mean, there is so much "stuff" out there, it would take up a persons entire career just to keep up with all the new things that are happening. I hate to be a wet blanket, but can we ever replace a relationship built on verbal AND non-verbal communication. I fear the isolation of the webcam and email. I sometimes think that there are gadgets out there that are like a new toy; played with for or day or two, then put away on a shelf somewhere.
Nikki,
I do agree with you that the standards are good. Although my original post did not mention specific changes, I do think that everything can be improved or enhanced. As mentioned previously on a comment about adding a monitoring piece to the new standards, I think this would be an acceptable addition. However, I feel that as an instructional leader even if the standards do not state it, shouldn't we monitor the usage of technlogy anyway?
I think that if we are responsible for acquiring, securing, etc. the technology; then, it should be automatic that we monitor not only if it is being utilized but how it is being utilized throughout the school.
What do you think?
I like your statement about moving from the Industrial Age to the Digital Age. If we prepare our students right I believe we will a merger of the two in a new Digital-Industrial Age. Just as automation replaced field hands with tractors computer applications will and have replaced many former professions. We need students to be able to use digital tools to create new goods to be consumed and exported to the rest of the world.
As administrators, we need to lead down the path that will help our teachers help our students to help themselves attain not only computer proficiency but competitive preeminence in the market place.
Good point about how we are transitioning from an industrial age to a digital age. many of our school practices still center around antiquated indutrial needs. Even our assessments relate to how students stack up within a given context versus giving credit for exploation and creativity. Moving to a new digital age and understanding the needs for it will likely require new standards to be built from the bottom up...not just within the focus of the school's hardware and software.
Nikki, I think you are right. Administrators and teachers both should share the SAME vision of integrating technology in our classrooms. We cannot deny the fact that technology can and will provide opportunities for our students to think and act outside of traditional methods of teaching and learning.
I also feel that these technology standards do serve as a good road map for us to follow, but I hope we don't "break down on the side of the road" because we failed to prepare our students for the technological advances and tools that are available for them to utilize.
I don't know that additional standards are necessary, but I believe that teachers can be lead to successfully incorporate technology in the classrooms. Administrators set the tone by how often they use technology in meetings and staff development. I also believe that administrators who are responsive to the changes in the types of students that are in our schools (the digital kids) will make sure the teachers are using technology on a daily basis. I believe the administrator/teacher standards should be parallel.
I agree with you. Yes, the standards should be parallel; but, at the same time, there are a thousand more hats an administrator must wear. Administrators must have the same or more insight on technology as the teachers, but we must also have effective teachers that are capable enough to go into a classroom and follow all standards without the administrator having to micro-manage. Yes, the administrator must be on top of its standards to lead in the right direction and to make sure it's being following effectively, but lets not forget that just as technology is advancing so fast in the new century, so is so many other areas that require the attention of the administrator. To teach is to learn twice and one can never obtain enough knowledge but we must have personnel in place of which we can trust and not have to micro manage.
Kristin said
I think we are on the same page. We do, as administrators, need to be held to the same standards as teachers. We are setting the example.
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