Comments on Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org: Your Superintendent Doesn't Work for You

Well put. I suppose it's marginally better to have...

2009-11-02T18:23:52.112-06:00

Well put. I suppose it's marginally better to have an ineffectual superintendant than a downright hostile one.

I made some pretty good progress when I instructed my team to do the complete opposite of what the equivalent of our superintendant wanted, with the result that we proved such an effective role model in the use of technology that the others, with the belessing of the superintendant, followed suit.

Re. Teachers drive the change, certainly many teac...

2009-11-02T11:45:14.677-06:00

Re. Teachers drive the change, certainly many teachers are ready, and more than ready! for technological change. A big step was when principals started walking around with blackberries; that simple change set the stage for school-culture acceptance of smartphones. It's interesting that a lot of parents and teachers would like to wish technology away, but it's not a choice at this point. We need leaders for change at all levels, but I would argue especially at the teacher level.

Well put. It is a frustrating battle. We have a n...

2009-11-02T08:23:52.358-06:00

Well put. It is a frustrating battle. We have a new superintendant who actually made a statement that he won't even look at technology for two years. While that statement is not only offensive to me (I teach digital photography), its down right irresposible. I'm going to share your blog with my grad school technology class this week.
Thanks!

Or, it could be like my district: Superintendent:...

2009-11-02T01:05:11.465-06:00

Or, it could be like my district:

Superintendent: Company ABC will be here tomorrow to install software XYZ. You need to make that happen
TechCoordinator: ???

Thanks, Miguel, for moving this idea forward a bit...

2009-11-01T21:55:11.396-06:00

Thanks, Miguel, for moving this idea forward a bit. I think the hierarchical structure that are implicit in both yours and Scott's scenarios are part of the problem.

21st Century communications tools flatten hierarchical structures, and if your identity, or even just your job, is dependent on the hierarchical structure continuing to exist, well, it will be hard for that person to essentially fire themselves.

Maybe it's time we get some superintendents who un...

2009-11-01T21:23:30.717-06:00

Maybe it's time we get some superintendents who understand this. You know, some who have been in the classroom within the last 10 years maybe? Not retreads who have not seen the inside of a classroom other than as a walk through with a principal holding their hand.

I view many supers the same as many of my college professors. They saw education as this perfect utopia where children don't misbehave and learning occurs everyday without interruption by students, reading coaches who want data pronto, site admins who want meetings everyday during planning time.

Ya, I reiterate what I've said many times. We need to bottle up more of Chris Lehmann's who KNOW what technology can do for schools, students and teachers.

I find that both of these conversations are headin...

2009-11-01T21:15:03.105-06:00

I find that both of these conversations are heading in the right direction -- the intent is there. And perhaps they reflect specific conversations that take place as part of a larger set of conversations between a larger group of folks.

But I wonder how the intent might play out were the conversations to include a wider range of participants -- because I think that the solution moving forward NEEDS to reflect and engage all of those involved -- students, teachers, parents, tech coordinators, IT personnel, superintendents, directors. Until we have a collaborative process that is looking to address the WHY behind unlocking the technologies -- namely the education of children -- it is too easy for a smaller subset to limit their perspectives and their conversations.

Are inclusive, informed, forward-thinking deliberations regarding the changing nature of learning and teaching (due to, and influenced by technology) taking place on an ongoing basis in your jurisdiction? Moving forward will require that ALL of us move toward becoming better informed and more actively involved in the conversations.