A wide range of expenses consumes educational technology budgets. Very obvious expenses marked the cyclic spending that characterized the first decades of educational computing; computers arrived in boxed, as did software on disks to be inserted into the computers. As networks were installed, expenses became more hidden from users. Servers, routers, and switches (each with Read More
Category: Technology Planning
On the Changing Nature of School IT Systems
One of the most significant changes faced by information technology professionals in schools (and other organizations) has been the adoption of cloud-based data and productivity systems. Whereas previous generations of IT professionals configured servers that were physically located on campus to provide necessary services (for example file storage and print management) and they installed applications Read More
Another Take on IT Decision-Making in Schools
Technology decision-making in educational institutions can be a complex endeavor. In large part, the complexity arises from the governance of public schools. In part, the complexity arises from the misunderstandings different stakeholders have of the work of the other stakeholders. Elected boards of citizens are frequently responsible for decision-making in schools, and those boards hire Read More
On Students and IT
Students and teachers, the users who comprise the largest groups of IT users in school are unusual compared to the IT users in school offices and those who fulfill similar roles in other businesses and organizations. These differences are grounded in the flexibility they need as teaching requires adapting to the interests and unanticipated needs Read More
Elevators Pitch on IT Users’ Perceptions
While it is true that it is users’ perceptions of the factors related technology acceptance, their perceptions can sometimes be wildly inaccurate. Teachers are also a group of users who can be very quick to label systems as “broken” and to reject any attempts at support they perceived to be taking too long as interfering Read More
A Challenge for Rural #edtech Leaders
The arrival of desktop computers reversed the trend to marginalize electronic technologies and information in classrooms; digital tools and digital media have become important tools for all students, and comprehensive education is understood to provide students experience using these tools. Early in the history of desktop computers in K-12 schools, the Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow Read More
Elevator Pitch on School Tech Planning
As they collaborate to make decisions about what technology to install and how to manage it, school and technology leaders must share understanding of three ideas. First, the systems must be sufficiently secure to remain functional and reliable, but open enough to allow for the functions educators deem necessary. Second, to accomplish secure yet flexible Read More
An Observation of IT in Schools
If you get bored, skip down to the end… Schools have always been information-rich places. There is a curriculum to be taught that comprises ideas, concepts, information, and skills. Learning the curriculum requires information-rich interaction between teachers and students and among students. Humans have invented technologies to facilitate interaction and information exchange for centuries, and Read More
IT Goals in Schools
In all organizations decisions are made for several purposes, and goals are set at three levels to guide decision-making and improve performance. At the broadest level, organizations have strategic goals. These are captured in the mission statements that are adopted by the leaders at the highest levels. In schools, the strategic goals are focused on Read More
#edtech Steering Committees
School administrators, the licensed professionals hired by school boards to implement their decisions and policies, have ultimate responsibility for all decisions in the school. Efficacious administrators understand they do not have sufficient expertise to make appropriate and proper decisions. They also understand reasonable implementation will also necessitate they make decisions about the limits to what Read More