School Technology Solutions, LLC Leadership in Technology SW/SC Service Cooperative Technology Coordinators and Staff Conference 9/30/2009 Presented by Lee Whitcraft School Technology Solutions, LLC

School Technology Solutions, LLC Presenters Background Over 27 years of management and leadership Over 27 years of management and leadership –Computer Operations –Systems Software –Software Development –Technical Services –Co-Executive Director seven years School Technology Solutions, LLC School Technology Solutions, LLC –Founded in 2005 –Focus on providing high level consulting services to schools

School Technology Solutions, LLC Barriers to Successful Technology Implementations Exercise: What are the three most common barriers you have faced in technology implementations? (10 minutes to discuss with group and report back)

School Technology Solutions, LLC Overcoming Ten Barriers to Successful Technology Implementations 1. Leadership not communicating expectations to staff for technology 2. School technology plans are not supporting the school’s strategic goals 3. All key department staff are not involved in technology planning 4. Excessive time spent on discussions of what hardware to buy and how to get the best deal 5. Technology staff are not able to effectively communicate the total cost or value of a technology implementation

School Technology Solutions, LLC Overcoming Ten Barriers to Successful Technology Implementations 6. Aging hardware and software continue to be supported rather than being replaced 7. Inadequate staff development plans for technology implementations 8. Resistance to change; happier with status quo even if the technology is more expensive and less effective 9. Technology support staff lack current skills 10. Network infrastructure does not support the increased flow of data

School Technology Solutions, LLC So what is leadership? Leadership is a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent (Ref. Clark, D. R., Leadership ) Leadership is a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent (Ref. Clark, D. R., Leadership )

School Technology Solutions, LLC Attributes of a leader Vision Vision Beliefs Beliefs Values Values Ethics Ethics Character Character Knowledge Knowledge Skills Skills (Ref. Clark, D. R., Leadership ) (Ref. Clark, D. R., Leadership )

School Technology Solutions, LLC Is a supervisor or manager a leader Leadership not always position based Leadership not always position based Leadership is found in those that apply the attributes that cause followers to achieve high goals Leadership is found in those that apply the attributes that cause followers to achieve high goals

School Technology Solutions, LLC Technology leaders in your school Exercise: Can you name, by position only, technology leaders in your organization? (discuss in groups for 10 minutes and report back as a group) Exercise: Can you name, by position only, technology leaders in your organization? (discuss in groups for 10 minutes and report back as a group)

School Technology Solutions, LLC Should all technology coordinators be leaders? Exercise: Discuss whether you believe all technology coordinators should or even want to be leaders. (Discuss in groups for 10 minutes and report back) Exercise: Discuss whether you believe all technology coordinators should or even want to be leaders. (Discuss in groups for 10 minutes and report back)

School Technology Solutions, LLC How is technology support team structured Who, by position is on your support team what are their roles? Who, by position is on your support team what are their roles? What gaps in responsibilities do you see in your support team? What gaps in responsibilities do you see in your support team? How have you or will you fill them? How have you or will you fill them? (Group Exercise: Discuss and each group report back on areas in common and some of the distinct differences. Take 10 minutes)

School Technology Solutions, LLC Filling the technology leadership gap The right people on the bus The right people on the bus in the right seats (Good to Great) in the right seats (Good to Great) Hiring process Hiring process Partnership assistance (cooperatives) Partnership assistance (cooperatives) Outside assistance (consultants) Outside assistance (consultants)

School Technology Solutions, LLC School IT Roles and Responsibilities Information System Components & IT Roles Information System Components & IT Roles Information System Components & IT Roles Information System Components & IT Roles

School Technology Solutions, LLC Leadership in Technology Identify the technology leaders in your school Identify the technology leaders in your school Make sure they are on the technology committee Make sure they are on the technology committee Address gaps in technology leadership & skills Address gaps in technology leadership & skills –Use your cooperative –Understand your own limitations and build your skills to the level you need/desire them to be

School Technology Solutions, LLC Reference materials Good To Great (Jim Collins, 2004) Good To Great (Jim Collins, 2004) Clark, D. R. (2004), Instructional System Design Concept Map. Retrieved September 30, 2007 from Clark, D. R. (2004), Instructional System Design Concept Map. Retrieved September 30, 2007 from Tech & Learning magazine Tech & Learning magazine Eschoolnews Eschoolnews Education Week Education Week CIO Magazine CIO Magazine

School Technology Solutions, LLC Thank You! Questions?