I attended the SIGTC Forum , run by Ferdi Serim, on Sunday for about an hour. SIGTC is ISTE’s special interest group for technology coordinators. Two things from the session that troubled me…
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1. No recognition of principals as instructional leaders
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Ferdi outlined five different roles that needed to be involved in discussions about teaching and learning:
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- Guide (teacher leader) – knows about designing learning experiences; has daily experience with children
- Scholar (librarian / media specialist) – knows about research, organizing knowledge
- Hard Hat (technical specialist) – knows about hardware, software, and networks
- Pilot (principal) – knows about managing people, schedules, and budgets
- Wizard (technology / curriculum coordinator) – knows about managing systems and processes; at district level
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Notice the emphasis on the managerial roles of principals. Nary a mention of the instructional leadership responsibilities of building-level leaders. Very disappointing.
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2. The equity trap
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There was some discussion about digital equity. Specifically, there seemed to be a fair amount of agreement in the group that – when it comes to digital technologies or whatever – if we don’t have enough for everybody, we can’t do it at all because of the complaints from the folks that don’t receive it.
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How are we ever going to move forward if this is the mentality of our school organizations?
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Other notes from the session
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Cisco white paper: Equipping every learner for the 21st century
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21st century pedagogy to teach 21st century skills which is enabled by technology and supported by adapted system reform
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The goal is to move from automation to facilitation to transformation
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Desired educational technology outcomes will occur only if they are supported by the entire system
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Gartner’s hype cycle
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- Technology trigger
- Peak of inflated expectations
- Trough of disillusionment
- Slope of enlightment
- Plateau of productivity
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Sources of information on emerging technologies
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