Tech Role

The Role of a Technologist in a K12 School

A technologist (regardless of whether the role is Director of Technology, Technology Coordinator, etc.) should be the champion of appropriate and meaningful technology use in the school, providing a clear vision for integrating technology into the curriculum. S/he should align technology use with the school mission and teachers' goals. S/he should also be the main technology resource for teachers, students, and administrators. S/he should work in an ongoing manner with teachers and department heads to ensure that they have an understanding of and access to the best and most appropriate technologies, and be instrumental in helping them integrate that technology. S/he should provide a means for teachers to pursue the use of technology in as simple, straightforward, and easy a manner as possible, so that teachers do not have to waste their time. S/he should create a useful, achievable course of professional development that helps teachers raise their knowledge without unduly burdening them, and help them move towards a level of independence in their use of technology.

In regards to students, s/he should make sure that technology outcomes for students make sense and are achievable, and help make sure that they are achieved by providing the support necessary.

S/he should be a lifelong learner, constantly upgrading his/her own skills as well as understanding of student use of technology, and continually evaluate the appropriateness of the technology being used, as well as be innovative in bringing new technologies into use at the school.

Below is my thinking about technology integration.