1. Teacher Leadership in Technology Integration

Date Taken: Summer 2008 | Grade: A- | GPA: 3.67

Highlighted Class Work:

Examples of Practical Use Outside of Class:

Archive of work from class:

UVM Description:

This online course targets teachers interested in leadership around technology integration. This includes teacher leadership in technology planning for school and district level, planning and implementing integration strategies, and development and dissemination of professional development in local and regional venues in Vermont. Overall, the course seeks to explore the leadership aspects of these roles and how classroom teachers can become active participants in their school technology programs. Participants in this course will study the means to foster leadership around the planning and development of solid goals for their school technology needs. The end goal of this technology planning will be impacts on participant learning in the classroom. Local technology plans and evaluation, budget development, and professional development strategies will all be included in the course curriculum. Communication and collaboration strategies with the various school stakeholders, as well as positive outreach to community and parents will also be a part of the participants’ experience.

ID: EDSS 200

Instructor: Peter Drescher

Syllabus: click here (Requires Permission)

Class Readings

  • Gladwell, Malcolm (2002). The Tipping Point, How Little Things can make a Big Difference. New York, NY: Back Bay Books.
  • Collins, Allan and Halverson, Richard (2009). Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology – The Digital Revolution and Schooling in America. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
  • Reinventing Project-Based Learning: Your Field Guide to Real-World Projects in the Digital Age by Suzie Boss & Jane Krauss Product Code: reinvt
  • Trilling, Bernie and Fadel, Charles (2009). 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times. San Francisco, CA; Jossey Bass Press
  • Fullan, Michael (2001). Leading in a Culture of Change. San Francisco: Jossey Bass Publishing.
  • Fullan, M. (2001) Leading in a Culture of Change. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass,
  • Fullan, Michael. "Michael Fullan Articles." Learning to Lead Change. Dec. 2004. Change Forces. 18 Sep 2006
  • Senge, P. M. (1990) The Fifth Discipline, The Art and Practice of The Learning Organization. New York, NY: Currency Doubleday
  • Smith, Fred. “Leadership Qualities." Educational Leadership Toolkit. National School Board Association. 18 Sep 2006
  • Jacobsen, Dawn Michelle. "Adoption Patterns and Characteristics of Faculty Who Integrate Computer Technology for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Chapter 6 - Discussions, Conclusions and Recommendations.." University of Calgary Doctoral Dissertations 1998
  • Patterson, Janice, and Jerry Patterson. "Sharing the Lead." Educational Leadership 61(2004): 74-78.
  • Daggett, Willard. "Preparing Students for the Future." International Center for Leadership in Education 2005 Model Schools Conference. Texas. June 2005.

What? So What? Now What? Reflection Script:

My name is Bjorn Behrendt and this is my course reflection for the Teacher Leadership in Technology Integration class I took the Summer of 2008

Focused on leadership I took a lot from this class. I refer the book "The Tipping Point" (Gladwell, 2002) quite often when introducing new initiatives. It was the first class that I was exposed to Prensky's idea of Digital Native and Digital Immigrants (Prensky, 2001) and read Fullan's "Leading the Culture of Change" (Fullan, 2001). All of which have contributed to my current personality as a innovator.

My favorite lesson plan I have ever written to date was created during this class. Working with a partner we created project based unit using letterboxing as a focus to teach collaboration skills.

Learning skills which directly pertained to leadership has helped me take my innovative ideas and bring them to reality. My most recent example of this is the 21st Century Learning Environment at MSJ. This is a 3 year plan to bring interactive boards to all classrooms and to put a netbook into every student hands. This is a precursor to integrating more digital curriculum using a Learning Management System and eTextbooks.

As I moved ahead with all the initiatives, one of the major hurdles has been training teachers. After toying with several different methods I have began my largest leadership task yet and now run my own business providing online possessional development. In the short time I have been offering the webinars I have connected with educators around the USA and even in Italy.

Thank you very much and have a good day.

References

  • Gladwell, Malcolm (2002). The Tipping Point, How Little Things can make a Big Difference. New York, NY: Back Bay Books.
  • Marc Prensky, (2001) "Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants"
  • Fullan, M. (2001) Leading in a Culture of Change. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass