Assignment #4

I think one of the main things that we can learn from others before us regarding the implementation of technology is simply to have a purpose before the actual implementation. Too often we are told to do something because it will benefit our kids, but we are not told how or why. According to the first Cuban article, "These devices will motivate students to work harder, gain more knowledge and skills, and be engaged in schooling, engaged students will achieve higher grades, students will be prepared for an information-driven labor market, high-tech devices will erase the gap in access to knowledge that exists between poor and wealthy, and using laptops and tablets will transform traditional teaching." These are the hard facts that educational leaders can use to explain why technology is changing the way that their students learn when asked by parents, school board members, or staff/students. As for implementing technology into the classroom to meet the CCSS, many schools are simply challenged from a fiscal standpoint. To combat this however there are grants and other avenues to pursue if one is willing to put in the work. With the CCSS indirectly implementing some types of curriculum into each building whether it be for common assessment or state assessments, teachers and administrators alike should embrace this opportunity to make the movement toward a more technological school/district. Again, when an administrator or district office figure starts the process of implementation of these technologies into the building, they NEED to make sure that proper training comes along with it or it will end up causing more headaches than its worth. Teachers will not have the same type of buy in, and the students will inevitably sense that as well and the motivation and excitement from the student end will now be minimized. The CCSS has opened the door for technology implementation into our public schools, now we as future leaders in education, need to push that door wide open and provide our students and staff with the necessary tools to ensure success on all levels by all individuals involved. The biggest takeaway from NETS A standard 1 is the "shared vision" piece. As an educational leader when you want to head in a new or different direction, there needs to be buy in from your staff. This buy in will increase productivity and give the staff a sense of investment into this new movement for the school. Staff can assist in finding and scheduling appropriate PD opportunities and trainings and can even become leaders and experts themselves when they get the information and they present to the rest of the staff. It is a great way to have a teacher build capacity within a building as well! The shared leadership approach makes the entire process of implementing the technology into the building so much easier all the way around.