2. Why do administrators need technology? This conference group of administrators used a variety of technologies to enhance the way we were communicating and collaborating. To effectively communicate, it was important to establish that our work together wasn’t around learning about things like wikis, blogs, twitter, and learning networks (which we did learn about) but rather about working in innovative ways that enhanced the work we were doing.
3. Sharing Knowledge with Google Docs Administrators need to be able to collaborate by using Google Docs. It allows users to be aware of one another’s thoughts at all times. It’s always great to be able to connect with colleagues who experienced the same learning as you, process, and extend the thinking immediately.
4. Sharing quickly updated info via Wikispaces Administrators can set up a wiki page for up-to-the-minute conference experiences. This provides a place for them to collect and access all important conference information such as the conference program, and daily reflections. It also provides a place where all can capture notes and materials that can be shared at various presentations.
5. Tweeting to Follow Conference Activities and Sharing Reflections and Plans Tweeting to Follow Conference Activities and Share Reflections and Plans School leaders set up Twitter accounts which they used to follow the goings on of conferences/meetings that take place off of school campuses, using tags . School leaders can contribute tweets that include instant reflections of what they learned that they planned to bring back to their schools. This is now permanently captured and available for future reflecting and all leaders have access to see what their colleagues are thinking of doing allowing them to connect and collaborate. Clyde Simmons Sept. 30, 2009
6. Advantages for technology use for administrators New innovations in mobile devices such as smart phones, tablet PCs, and laptops allow us to multi-task away from the desk or office. For some administrators this is a wonderful tool. Most principals and assistant principals are constantly moving around the schools most of the day. This leaves most of the paperwork and unanswered email for after school hours.
7. Advantages for technology use administrators Con’t Forms, referrals, and other documents can be received and transmitted without physically being in the office. Teachers can also be evaluated through the PDAS system without going back to the office. This allows the appraiser to complete more evaluation in less time.
8. Advantages for technology use administrators Con’t Paperless databases such as electronic attendance and gradebooks help save hundreds of dollars a year. Maintenance workers use mobile smartphones and tablet PCs to receive and fill work orders. This saves the district time in tracking repairs and monitoring construction on projects. This results in faster completion of work orders. Overall, the cost of these technological devices is offset by their efficiency which allows the district to save even more money after the initial cost has been absorbed.
10. Works Cited Devaney, L (2008, November 21). What Superintendents Need from their CTOs. eSchool News, Retrieved from www.eschoolnews.com eSchool News Staff, (2007, August 01). New Technology Boost Schools' Office Efficiency. eSchool News, Retrieved from www.eschoolnews.com eSchool News Staff, (2007, August 01). eMail Overload Spurs New Sorting Tools. eSchool News, Retrieved from www.eschoolnews.com
