Week 2: The Digital Information Age - Who Are Our Students and Teachers

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Permalink Reply by Jona Neufeld on January 31, 2010 at 10:04pm

2) What are some challenges for leaders in school environments as well as strategies to overcome the challenges?

One of the areas that really caught my attention was about how to lead the millennial generation. This group of kids is incredibly creative. If they have technology in front of them they can figure out just about any problem you give them. However, the problem I see is that we have so many teachers that talk the talk. They say they want the equipment, they have to have it, they whine until they get it and then they don't use it, they don't integrate it, and the students don't use it up to the potential it possess. I'm not sure what to do about this. How can the administrators and leaders in the buildings work through this. 5 years ago our district introduce a laptop initiative that our teachers could sign up for (about 25 each year). This was a year long commitment. It required 5 hours worth of training every month, 3 hours of that was a district training class that was required. It went great for the first 3 years. These were the years that our staff was trying to learn how to use the computer, the software, the digital cameras, etc. They wanted to use these to enhance their personal life. Now that the district staff is well versed in these applications and how to turn the computer on the initiative has died out. It is much more difficult to encourage and teach someone how to integrate the technology over just using it. Teachers have to move out of their comfort zone. They have to recreate or add to the lessons they have been doing for years. This takes more time, extra time, and new skills. I guess my question is, how do we encourage our veteran teachers to integrate and work hard and use the technology of today when they are planning to retire tomorrow?

Permalink Reply by Melanie Farmer on February 1, 2010 at 10:47am

There are so many challenges with change, and sometimes it is hard to see how great the end result will be in the thick of the change. I definitely think that you hit on an important fact that the learning process must continually evolve and stretch the learners, yet new teachers in the district might need help getting caught up. Maybe veteran teachers need mentors like new teachers? I think it reinforces the importance of working together to share ideas, grow, and crafting lifelong learning opportunities.

Permalink Reply by Deborah Bantam on February 1, 2010 at 2:00am

1. What are some leadership strategies that bring positive results in your school environment?

I found the discussion in the book about leadership really interesting. We have had total support from our principal with the TRC grant this year. I was apprehensive and wondered if my co-workers would be supportive of the idea that only 1 out of 4 third grade as well as 1 out of 4 fourth grade classrooms would have the technology. Through the leadership shown by our principal, the animosity toward us was minimal. Actually his excitiment as well as our own has really inspired other staff to want to use the technology that they do have. We have spent time sharing with staff ideas for integrating technology which has been pretty exciting to see a few of them make a change in their teaching style. District PLC time has allowed for more collabortive time to share ideas as well as development of individual student plans. Our building has a strong commitment toward "children first" which has created a strong caring and sharing environment for students as well as staff. Success with technology integration does start with leadership. . . it certainly has made a huge difference in our building.

Permalink Reply by Casey Wise on February 1, 2010 at 10:40am

2) What are some challenges for leaders in school environments as well as strategies to overcome the challenges?

I think right now some of the greatest challenges are budget related. We discussed this at last month’s Facilitator meeting. It is difficult for school leaders to contiue to justify the purchase of expensive equipment to meet the needs of the digital learner and the teachers who are ready to use it. In a time when positions are being cut, schools are shortening weeks, etc. there are those who do not understand why we are continuing to spend thousands of dollars on technology that they see as unnecessary.

What we have to remember as technology leaders is that we are required to continue to provide teachers and students with the best education that we can and meet their expectations. Even though we may lose a teaching position, we still have to provide the current teachers with the best equipment and opportunities that we can. The students require these types of materials to learn. I compare this to saying twenty years ago that we were not going to purchase textbooks because of funding. That was a critical piece of the classroom setting then, just as computers, smartboards etc. are today.

Permalink Reply by Mary Lawrenz on February 1, 2010 at 11:28am

We get the most positive results in our school by providing support, encouragement, and time to work practice while incorporating technology and new teaching strategies into their classrooms. I believe that the provision for PD time is one of the best pieces to TRC. Our in-service days were cut to one for this school year. We have traveled downward over the past few years from a ½ day every Wednesday, to one full day/month, to one day in February this year. We all miss that time! Most of our team members are digital immigrants – some have immigrated further into technology use than others, but all have made tremendous strides through our TRC program. We have one digital native among us, and we use her expertise on many occasions.

One interesting side note … our students may not have their cell phones on except for before school, lunch, and after school. When observing in a physics class last week a student asked, “can I use my cell phone for the calculator?” Obviously, a digital native! I was so glad to hear his teacher say yes.

I had the pleasure of hearing Prensky speak at a CaTE conference – it was very interesting. If you get the chance to see him in person, take it – you’ll be glad you did.

Permalink Reply by joyce frederiksen on February 3, 2010 at 3:32pm

What are some challenges for leaders in school environments as well as strategies to overcome the challenges?
Time and money and lack of buy in from some teachers. Especially those that are not from the digital age or willing to try new things.

Permalink Reply by Kari Hinkle on February 4, 2010 at 1:37am

One of the most effective leadership strategies within our building would be the support of our TRC facilitator. Our TRC team has the support of our principal and other faculty, but our facilitator is leading a group of digital immigrants into the digital age. She provides us with support and encouragment, and praises us when we incorporate technology and it is successful or even when it isn't.

I have found that I have changed my teaching and rethink lessons so that I can reach those young digital natives in my classroom. I welcome the opportunity for them to teach me. When the school year started I was having difficulty with the Smartboard. As a digital immigrant I wasn't sure what to do or what I should do when I heard, "Mrs. Hinkle, do you need some help with the Smartboard?" I took this digital native's offer of help and we moved on with the lesson. I let my students know that there would be times when I would need guidance from them and to please step in and help me.

A challenge I have is I question whether I am doing enough or the right things to reach my digital learners. We use our laptops and Smartboard on a daily basis, but I often challenge myself to what else can I do to enhance my students' learning environment.

Permalink Reply by Tish Havel on February 12, 2010 at 7:27pm

Better late than never, right? There are several leadership strategies that I've seen make a powerful difference in the districts I've worked in over the years. All of these were mentioned in the text as requests of Millennial employees.

First, I don't think anything is more powerful than a staff functioning as a team. A group of people that truly feels a sense of community is empowered to take on the tough challenges. It isn't always easy, as a leader, to facilitate this, but having fun together and creating opportunities for collaboration and socialization can make it happen.

Empowering teacher leaders is another strategy that can have a powerful impact. I'm talking about true leadership, not just for show. Many talk about their "teacher leaders", but administrators that truly listen and collaborate with these leaders, share and discuss the reality of their school, and empower these staff members to take action and make change will truly impact their students.

Having a vision, sharing it with others, and constantly revisiting and reflecting upon it will also create positive results.

As things continue to weigh down our education system, it is so important to value the people we work with. That strategy alone can make all the difference.

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