July 2004 — SETDA
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Pennsylvania: Technology's Potential, Promise for Enhancing Student Learning
Technology is a tool that has the potential to empower educational leaders at all levels - whether they are superintendents, principals, teachers, board members or state officials - as well as to redefine what education means in the 21st century. Technology provides us with more accurate information and advanced communication capabilities. We can use technology to improve management and operations systems, as well as to identify proven instructional methods.
We currently see how technology is fundamentally changing education, making the classroom more student-centered and learning more student-driven. The school day is extending beyond the classroom walls into a 24/7 educational process. Yet, the challenge for leaders is not only about recognizing the benefits technology provides, it is also about leading others to see technology's potential and its promise. Ultimately, the challenge is about helping all stakeholders use technology to transform the culture of education to enhance student performance.
Professional Development for Leaders
In order to accomplish this, leaders must become comfortable and familiar with the technology and the benefits it provides. We have been offering professional development opportunities to Pennsylvania administrators for several years through our Technology Leadership Academies (TLAs). These are a series of intensive, multifaceted, technology-rich professional development programs created in response to research findings indicating that administrators who understand the role and power of technology in education are better equipped to lead districts into technology initiatives. Superintendents, principals, business managers and school board members have been trained to be technology leaders through coursework on technology and on utilizing technology in strategic management, as well as through ongoing peer sharing and extensive practice. This program was recently expanded to include assistant superintendents and assistant principals, and we look forward to providing this opportunity to curriculum directors and technology coordinators in the near future.
While Pennsylvania principals have engaged in professional development at the TLAs - designed to promote both technology leadership and the utilization of technology in effective management practices - we are providing minigrants to assist TLA graduate principals in implementing their strategies for technology integration at the teacher and student levels. Funded projects will use handheld computers to facilitate the creation of easily replicable models that support an inexpensive and versatile technology, as well as focus on innovative applications that directly impact student performance.
In addition, we are focused on capacity building throughout the educational system. Knowledge and technology skills should be continually assessed so that professional development programs meet the immediate needs of administrators and teachers. We will also define technological expectations and continue to evaluate and monitor all staff members' progress toward technology proficiency.
