Two years ago, our school system began a process called Digital by Design. This was the systems plan to provide devices for all students. In the beginning stages, we met and discussed, as a system, concerns that covered all grade levels. Some of the main concerns were common across all grade levels: network structure, digital citizenship, proper care, and teacher professional development. Throughout that first year, I had the opportunity to participate in several discussions related to the development of a plan. In addition, I was chosen to participate in a two-year certification program, eMINTS, which would allow me to train teachers on how to effectively implement technology skills in the classroom.
The summer of 2017, we rolled out our system Digital by Design plan and presented to stakeholder groups through various trainings. I had the opportunity to share with parents the plan and how our school would implement for the current school year. In August, students were issued a Chromebook to use while at school. During the current school year, I have held monthly trainings with teachers to help implement new technology skills in their classroom instruction. In addition, I am finishing the two-year training through eMINTS.
The system’s Digital by Design team allowed me the opportunity to work with other leaders including the Director of Technology, Director of Instruction, school administrators, and a variety of educators. As a team, we developed the Digital by Design plan for our individual school. Each school created a plan to fit their individual needs. The plan is in direct correlation with our system strategic plan. This experience is related to CoSN’s Leadership and Vision (1C) “Facilitates the process of priority setting and decision making for meaningful and effective uses of technology in support of the district’s strategic goals.“
I presented our school's Digital by Design plan to parents during the annual parent orientation at the beginning of the school year. Parents had the opportunity to ask questions, view the device and sign permission forms.
As the school’s Library Media Specialist, I am chosen to serve on the school’s Title I budget committee. This year, the technology budget included $8,692. As a member of the committee, I assisted in researching tools that would benefit our students. After the committee determined the needs of our school and researched tools that would meet those needs, I assisted in presenting the findings to our faculty. The teachers approved our plan and the tools have been purchased. This experience is related to CoSN’s Leadership and VIsion (2B) “Work with key system leaders, people networks (e.g. math teachers), and departments to identify budget and funding mechanisms needed to meet strategic goals.
One of the most challenging yet thrilling opportunity I have had has been to help coordinate professional learning for teachers over the past two school years. To begin, I provide training on a monthly basis to the teachers in my building. The purpose of the training has been to equip teachers with tools they can use in the classroom. In addition to the training I have offered, I also coordinated monthly trainings with our system’s Technology in Motion representative. She has worked with me in scheduling additional monthly training sessions for teachers. Thankfully, both of these trainings have not cost our system any extra funds. Both of these professional development offerings related to our school’s technology plan. Teachers were concerned with the 1-to-1 initiative and their ability to ensure quality lessons with the technology. Through these trainings, our teachers have tools to provide high-quality lessons. This experience is related to CoSN’s Understanding the Educational Environment (4A) “Plan for and coordinate ongoing, purposeful professional development”.
These are just a few of the many opportunities I have observed, lead or participated in over the past two years. I knew these activities were meaningful but did not realize how they related to the CoSN’s Framework of Essential Skills. As a school leader, the role I have in my school allows me the opportunity to help plan, organize, implement, and communicate new and innovative technology skills to ensure success for teachers and students.
As I look back on my journey from Books to Technology, I have learned that technology is more than just using a computer to type a paper or conduct research. As a leader in Instructional Technology, I have a responsibility to students, teachers, and administrators to keep them safe, provide instruction and coach them to be the best digital citizen possible. I am thankful for this journey and looking forward to the future.
References:
Consortium for School Networking (2018). Framework of essential skills of the K-12. Retrieved by https://cosn.org/Framework
OPL Record
