Standard 1- Leadership & Vision Sara Saffell Amy Blackwell Marilyn McDonald 1. Leadership and Vision-Educational leaders inspire a shared vision for comprehensive integration of technology and foster an environment and culture conducive to the realization of that vision.

Overall Key Points Main objective should be to incorporate technology into your schools program whenever it is appropriate and helpful to students. No extreme technology uses, but rather a well balanced approach to it’ s use.

1A Performance Indicator 1.A – Educational leaders facilitate the shared development by all stakeholders of a vision for technology use and widely communicate that vision. Define all groups that need representation Develop mission and vision statements that “describe an instructional program in which technology is present and regularly used as a teaching and learning tool”. (Brooks- Young, 15) Communicate mission and vision statements to the educational community.

Performance Indicator 1.B – Educational leaders maintain an inclusive and cohesive process to develop, implement, and monitor a dynamic, long-range, and systemic technology plan to achieve the vision. Strategic planning is dynamic and must remain responsive to change. A plan must be in place and it must keep the big picture in mind and requires constant re-evaluation to ensure the goals are being met 1B

1C – Foster and Nurture a Culture of Responsible Risk Taking and Advocate Policies Promoting Continuous Innovation with Technology Develop strategies for students not performing well or standard level Reform is a process of trial and error, so plan reforms, such as technology integration, and then allow for a reasonable time to monitor and evaluate the success of the integration program Create an environment using strategies where educators are willing to take risks – Create trust, and realize that it may take 2 – 3 years before change and innovation is realizes

– Educate and inform stakeholders along the way. Make sure they are aware of the mission and the vision. – Coordinate efforts with other schools and share data. Make sure meetings are kept to a minimum and don’t have each grade level or school work in isolation. – Guarantee some small success and celebrate them. – Provide ample time for planning implementation. This creates respect among teachers and administrators. 1C – Foster and Nurture a Culture of Responsible Risk Taking and Advocate Policies Promoting Continuous Innovation with Technology - continued

1D – Use Data in Making Leadership Decisions The new demands of instructional leadership need to realized and respected – we can’t keep doing things the old way Collect information that will give you the complete picture of the overall organization Student achievement data and performance data is important, but many other data factors also help to illustrate the whole picture.

Data will help you to focus your instruction program, technology needs, and other scholastic tools Find artifacts that help support the culture and the current situation Look for patterns and trends – such as high areas of attendance issues at certain times of years, or teacher committees and their impact need within the school 1D – Use Data in Making Leadership Decisions - continued

1E- Research and Best Practices Research is being done on the effects of the use of technology in the classroom. There are many organizations were your can find more about the research they are Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning, Network of Regional Technology in Education, and Consortia & North Central Regional Educational Laboratory.

1E- Research and Best Practices Research shows: – Technology can have positive effect on students. However it is dependent upon the teacher’s comfort level in using it as an instructional tool. – Effects of technology use cannot be measured through standardized test. – Positive results of technology were found in terms of increases of student attendance, self-esteem, or even in more difficult to measure ways such as the ability to work collaboratively and to problem solve. Finding research based models of best practices is hard because teachers are still learning about the technology they are working with.

1E- Research and Best Practices Explains the steps that must be taken by educational leaders to implement research based effective practices.

1E- Research and Best Practices Explains the steps that must be taken by educational leaders to implement research based effective practices.

Administrators- may lead in helping to develop state, federal polices, programs, and funding opportunities that support implementation of district technology plan. Educational leaders should: – Explore district polices regarding advocacy. – Explore work done by professional organizations. – Explore past practices in your area. 1F- Advocating on State & National Level Mostly the responsibility of the district superintendent, cabinet members, and school board.

Questions to consider for your vision:

Key Question Does your school have a vision and mission statement that includes technology and school community? Who is included in the process of ensuring the goals are met?

Reference Brooks-Young, S. (2009). Making technology standards work for you: A guide to the NETS-A for school administrators with self-assessment activities.