Central Office Scenario
- "The important issue in effectiveness for learning is not the sophistication of the technologies, but the ways in which their capabilities aid and motivate users"
- (Dede, C., 2001)
Innovation School District is an IMPACT model district. Every school has robust network infrastructure and connectivity. The curriculum-based media collection (both print and non-print) is current. Desktop computer and wireless laptop to student ratio is 1:2.5. Peripherals such as Digital Interactive Whiteboards, DVD players, wireless laptops, LCD Projectors, printers, and PDAs abound. Each school has a full time media coordinator, technology facilitator, media assistant, and technician or technology assistant.
Mr. Raynolds, the Media and Technology Director for the county, understands the importance of the seamless integration of technology and media into all curriculum areas. He makes sure he is up-to-date on the latest education news and theory. Mr. Raynolds spends time reviewing commentary by bloggers like David Warlick, Will Richardson, and Doug Johnson. He updates his own professional blog. He takes time to review current technology legislation and maintains a working relationship with his DPI consultant.
Dr. Raynolds is aware that educating his stakeholders about the IMPACT model is an important part of what he does. So at the Central Office Administrators’ Meeting, he presents information about how the IMPACT model has affected the county test results. He is pleased to report that students in particular subgroups had substantially stronger growth, varying from small differences to about half a grade level of extra growth, depending on the test and grade level. (IMPACT Results) Valuing face-to-face contact, Mr. Raynolds visits the schools to meet with county representatives on the Media and Technology Advisory Committee. He gains their perspectives on the following MTAC meeting agenda items:
- Reviewing student blogs
- The upcoming collaboration with the crisis intervention team
- Professional development on reading, writing, and math with media and technology infused into the training
- Internet content filtering.
Back at the office, Mr. Raynolds meets with technology support on the proposed Internet Content Filter solution. He balances the tech support view with the concerns of the MTAC committee members, CIPA compliance, and policies at all levels. He takes a quick look at technology support records and procedures to ensure that work orders are being fulfilled in a timely fashion. Mr. Raynolds spends the next couple of hours looking at the recommendations of the MTAC committee to move towards a Web-based, district-wide library resource automation solution, which will be searchable by students, teachers, and parents from any Internet connected computer. A presentation and recommendation must be made to the Board of Education and the County Administrators in order for funding to be approved.
The Board of Education has also requested more information on the funding request to update and replace hardware. Mr. Raynolds works to develop documentation that supports the request. He develops reports on:
- computer utilization by students in classrooms, media centers, and labs
- the correlation of IMPACT to the Standard Course of Study
- instructional inadequacies of legacy computers
In the late afternoon, Mr. Raynolds meets with the Senior Project pilot group to flesh out ideas on how media and technology can support these projects. Following this meeting, the County MTAC meets to discuss the issues mentioned in the face-to-face visits. Mr. Raynolds reminds the committee that IMPACT must be folded into the instructional priorities that the schools already have. Following the meeting, he emails all involved personnel about the changes recommended and implemented by the MTAC group.
He meets his family at La Casita for dinner. Then, on his way to the Board meeting, he drops his daughter off at soccer practice. The evening is spent presenting reports to the Board of Education. He reminds them that to support the IMPACT model, funding must flow from federal, state, and local sources. He demonstrates that leadership at all levels is the key to creating a successful IMPACT program, a program that meets the needs of students and teachers.
Driving home, Mr. Raynolds reflects on the day and how it always flies by. He begins to line-up tomorrow’s agenda: Battle of the Books celebration for the regional winners, appearance on local radio to talk about school budgets, review status of e-rate applications on SLD Web site, prepare EETT evaluation…
