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 2009 1

Presenters Background • • Over 27 years of management and leadership – Computer Operations – Systems Software – Software Development – Technical Services – Co-Executive Director seven years School Technology Solutions, LLC – Founded in 2005 – Focus on providing high level consulting services to schools School Technology Solutions, LLC 2009 2

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 2009 3

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 2009 4

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 2009 5

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 - 2004) School Technology Solutions, LLC 2009 6

Attributes of a leader • • • • • • • Vision Beliefs Values Ethics Character Knowledge Skills (Ref. Clark, D. R., Leadership - 2004) School Technology Solutions, LLC 2009 7

Is a supervisor or manager a leader • • Leadership not always position based Leadership is found in those that apply the attributes that cause followers to achieve high goals School Technology Solutions, LLC 2009 8

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) School Technology Solutions, LLC 2009 9

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) School Technology Solutions, LLC 2009 10

How is technology support team structured

• Who, by position is on your support team what are their roles?

• What gaps in responsibilities do you see in your support team?

• 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 2009 11

Filling the technology leadership gap

• • •

The right people on the bus in the right seats (Good to Great)

Hiring process Partnership assistance (cooperatives) Outside assistance (consultants) School Technology Solutions, LLC 2009 12

School IT Roles and Responsibilities • Information System Components & IT Roles School Technology Solutions, LLC 2009 13

Leadership in Technology • • • Identify the technology leaders in your school Make sure they are on the technology committee 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 2009 14

• • • • • • • Reference materials Good To Great (Jim Collins, 2004) Clark, D. R. (2004), Instructional System Design Concept Map. Retrieved September 30, 2007 from http://nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/ahold/isd.html

www.schooltechbiz.com

Tech & Learning magazine Eschoolnews http://www.eschoolnews.com/ Education Week www.edweek.org

CIO Magazine School Technology Solutions, LLC 2009 15

Thank You!

Questions?

School Technology Solutions, LLC 2009 16