ISTE+Standard+VII

"In the initial stages of planning, facilitators and leaders select technologies aligned to learning standards and research-based teaching methodologies, decide how to arrange the new technologies, budget for proposed improvements, and develop a timeline for the project. Each level of this planning process involves the application of a great deal of technical knowledge and managerial skill" (Williamson, J. & Redish, T., 2009, p. 149). Standard VII seems to involve the most dirty work of all the other standards. This is where money, planning, bidding and policy writing comes into play. On example that would fall into this standard would be a video my district made to explain our acceptable use policy to teachers (Mesquite ISD, 2009). These are the things that really do not really interest me, but are definitely crucial to the developing and implementation of technology within a school. When I hear something like this, I start thinking that I should have become a lawyer or gone into business. I never wanted to read all the fine print, or look at a bottom line when it came to money and funding. However, as I move into a more active leadership role, I see that educational leaders must look at fine print and budgets. Schools cannot function without them and decisions must be made. Now more than ever, it is apparent that budgets will be slashed in some serious ways. Technology is something that requires significant investment and there must be advocates that fight for that funding. It seems like many teachers have a pet project or activity where they are looking for money, but technology is something that cannot take huge cuts. The training provided through technology is invaluable and must be in the curriculum of our students if we expect them to compete for 21st century jobs.

During my time as an intern, I had the opportunity to see into business side of technology resources. My mentor just moved into a technology facilitators job 2 years ago. She taught Science at my school and was then promoted to facilitation. After one year of working on our campus, she was assigned a second middle school campus to work with as well during the current school year. She found out this year that some of the people in her position through the district are being moved to different positions elsewhere. She had no idea that the funding was going to fall out from the district and that her job might be in jeopardy. Fortunately, almost all of the facilitators are being assigned other positions within the district, but it is very scary to get promoted and then be exposed to lay-offs. The current state of the economy is obviously wreaking havoc on those trying to get teaching positions. I was about half way through the Lamar program when I found out that I probably would not have any chance of getting a facilitation position within the district any time soon. I imagine if the economy bounces back, the former facilitators will probably reclaim the jobs they left, so that leaves me high and dry for the time being. I am extremely thankful for my current position teaching and coaching, but it is frustrating to train for a job that might not be around in the near future. I tell this story because there was probably no way to tell that this budget shortfall would hit education so abruptly, but this is an issue that gives leaders fits. They try to plan for contingencies and emergencies, but sometimes chaos hits when it is least expected.

Overall, this is the Standard makes my head hurt and provokes a sort of general sleepiness within my soul. I know that it is critical, because we must have money, policies, and a plan, but I just cannot get myself extremely motivated by its content. These plans must be factored in to our "Shared Vision" as a campus and as a leader and possible future facilitator it will be my job the be educated about ISTE's Standards and I must be able to discuss each Standard in an intelligent way and in some instances convey that information to others who are unaware of these standards (Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J., 2010). As I grow and mature as an adult, the lesson I learn mirror those that I teach my students. For instance, I can be quoted many times saying: "you don't have to like it, you just have to do it". I think that is apropos for Standard VII.

References:

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). //Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools//. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education, Inc.

Mesquite ISD. (2009). Computer Acceptable Use Policy Overview. Retrieved on May 7, 2011 from, []

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.