Reflection+on+Standard+VII


 * Standard VII Reflection**: **Procedures, Policies, Planning, and Budgeting fo Technology Environments**

Standard VII informs us about the importance of infrastructure support, and how the lack of infrastructure causes teacher frustration and technology abandonment. “Technology facilitators and leaders are responsible for establishing a technical environment that supports integrating technology into instructional and administrative practices” (Williamson & Redish, 2009). Educators are still complaining about not having enough equipment to fully integrate technology into the curriculum. Being a core area teacher I find this to be true. The availability of equipment for all teachers is not equally distributed across the campus or district. The availability level is increasing, but it is still not to the level it should be. Technology training is presented on different tools, but the availability of these tools is usually at the introductory stage. In reading this section I discovered that planning for technology deployment, procurement, implementation and maintenance/monitoring are the four main duty categories of a technology leader/monitor. Having a technology tool that does not enhance a particular subject area does not raise the level of technology integration. “Despite technology’s potential to augment and transform instruction, teachers generally have not implemented technology as frequently as hoped” (Williamson & Schrum, 2009).

Instructional planning and design should be a primary focus. As a leader being prepared to address the challenges of providing teachers with planning support is essential. Integrating technology into the curriculum presents a problem with planning. Simply knowing how to operate the technology tools is not enough. The technology tool(s) used must support student learning. Management of tech resources is also a duty of the tech facilitator/leader. I came to realize that being a good tech leader means having good “people skills”. Knowing how to communicate with your peers and understanding their specific technology needs is an absolute must. Technology leaders should have a vision that targets specific goals after defining the big picture. The activities designed should assist learners in developing new ideas and understanding the principles of working with others. Technology leads should be able to respond to change and hold a vast amount of knowledge, skills and dispositions that are firmly grounded in theories and research of effective instruction (Williamson & Schrum, 2009).

Budgeting which includes TCO, equipment replacement/repair/upgrade, connectivity, installation, professional development, operational cost, purchasing products and services, end user software, online resources and technical support are important areas that a technology leader should be well versed in. Budgeting, effective planning and use were also addressed under performance tasks.

 **References**

Williamson, J. & Redish, T., (2009). //ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership// //standards: What every k-12 Leader should know and be able to do. Eugene, OR: international Society// //for Technology in Education, p.147-176.//