A Grounded Theory Approach to Explore Best Practices in Technology Savvy Principals’ Training and Development Cherie Haydel Goins University of New Orleans

Introduction Problem: Technology savvy leaders are needed to promote and support successful and sustainable technology-enhanced learning environments in schools. Rationale/Significance for Study: Given the tremendous societal impact of digital technologies, they deserve a greater presence in the preparation processes of school leaders. Target Audience: This study is aimed at school and district administrators and professional development leaders.

Introduction Purpose Statement: The purpose of this study is to identify and describe best practices in technology leaders’ training and development. Research Questions: What does effective technology leadership look like? How are school leaders prepared for the facilitation and use of technology in schools? Can theory be generated which describes how effective technology school leaders are developed?

Approach selected This study will be approached using a grounded theory design. The purpose of grounded theory (and of this study) will be to develop a theory for technology preparation and development for school leaders that is “grounded” in their viewpoints.

Sampling and data collection Study participants will be selected using stratified purposeful sampling measures. This will illustrate characteristics of the subgroup of interest.

Data analysis strategies Data collection steps: 1.Organize text and audio files into electronic folders 2.Transcribe audio files 3.Compose written descriptions of schools and participants involved in study 4.Data analysis will occur throughout the data collection period to inform new questions and observations

Data collection methods Document review – Sample guiding questions – What technology courses or training sessions have been offered and/or are currently available for school leaders? – Is one of your district’s school improvement goals related to the issue of technology?

Data collection methods Sample interview questions: – How has your district prepared you with regards to the use of technology? – How did your university or college prepare you with regards to the use of technology? – How have you prepared yourself to use technology? – How do you use technology on a daily basis? – How did you learn those skills and processes? – What is the general attitude among administrators with regards to technology?

Data analysis strategies Procedures Data managing- Prepare and review data collected Reading and memoing - Code data to identify and highlight themes (no more than 50 codes, some of which may come from the literature) Describing, classifying, interpreting - reduce data to organize and uncover categories, summarize Representing - Articulate theory developed in a narrative generated from themes Visualizing - Develop a visual diagram to illustrate theoretical model

Validation Strategies Member checking Triangulation of Data Survey Observations Interviews Focus Groups Peer review and debriefing Literature review

Ethical concerns Researcher will use reflexivity and self- disclosure in the study to reveal her stance Researcher will be honest about who she is, what her research is about, why she wants to talk with school administrators, and what she will do with the information.

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