Implementing an IICT Program as an IICT Leader

One issue which continued to arise as I completed this module was the fact that leaders of technology must have a vast knowledge of many IICT tools. Only having 1 or 2 tools in your bag really limits the amount of IICT integration the staff at your school can implement, making the initiative one that may fizz out and lose momentum. But by having a host of tools to utilize means the leader can meet the individual needs of the most staff members. Those needs may range from staff having a vast knowledge of IICT tools and their function in the classroom to staff with no prior knowledge or experience. Each of these ends of the learning spectrum, as many in between, will require different approaches to PD as well as IICT integration.

Another aspect of this dynamic is the fact that teachers are teaching a variety of subjects as well as topics and skills, layering the implementation and creating a complex situation. Being able to support all of these teachers and their programs is a monumental task, especially if the leader himself/herself is learning the IICT tools, too. Ofcourse, being aware of where and when he/she can access an expert in the specific IICT tool is also an effective means of supporting staff. But, IICT leaders who can provide the timely, on-the-spot support which comes with being knowledgeable is the most effective way to lead in IICT.

 

The document entitled Four Challenges Classroom Teachers Face When They Integrate Technology Into Their Teaching provided some insight in to the roadblocks IICT leaders may face when they attempt to implement an IICT initiative. Having these 4 aspects in mind before they begin an initiative is really beneficial. It means the IICT leader can plan ahead to avoid these roadblocks. Or have a backup plan to get around them and continue with the initiative.

 

One area I wish to further explore is in regard to educational packages offered by companies so that their tools can be integrated across the school. I know many companies have products specifically for schools, but many require email addresses and passwords to register and login. I would like to know more about the support these companies can offer schools, so that they can remove this roadblock and make it an easier process in implementing their software.

Staff Development

One significant issue that arose while I was completing the most recent learning experience was the fact that as a leader of IICT I need to be prepared to support my staff with applicable, user-friendly, professional development opportunities. It is one thing to desire change, but it is an entirely different task carrying-out the change. It begins with a good plan, including goals, available technology, ICT knowledge, and a strong team. To keep the plan moving forward, staff need to be supported in their efforts, both through encouragement as well as professional development. This is junction in which ICT leaders need to implement very specific and timely PD.

The purpose of this PD should be to increase the comfort-level of staff members, as they are the individuals who will integrate and implement the specific steps of the plan. The PD should be hands-on and allow for plenty of exploration time for staff. It should also include some specific training on key features of the program or technology. And examples of its use in a classroom setting or as a classroom task should also be made apparent to staff, so that they can see the tool in action and begin to think of ways they can use the same tool to help support their classroom learning.

But, before this can happen, each individual teacher will need to also have a plan for integratiing technology on their own program. There is no 'cookie cutter' solution, which suits all classrooms. Instead, there are programming opportunities just waiting to be capitalized on. A traditional, oral presentation can be slightly adapted by the teacher to integrate IICT, such as Voicedthread, to suit his/her classroom. Or, a plan to use PowerPoint presentations can be altered to become a Prezi 'prezentation'. Teachers can start implementing IICT without impacting the programming they may already have in place. A class blog/vlog could be created to keep parents/guardians as well as students and the school community aware of what is going on in the classroom. Once the teacher feels comfortable with blogging for his/her class, then he/she can begin to integrate it in to their programming, as a reflection tool or as a means of conducting and gathering research.

 

The 'Qualities of a Good Leader' video was a great opportunity to reflect on my own practice, identifying the leadership qualities I already incorporate in my classroom. It also provided me with an opportunity to look forward and plan for ways in which I could enact leadership qualities in my future role as a IICT leader.

 

 

For example, I am a leader who leads by example. This is an effective means of leading when the leader desires others to emulate him/her. However, when it comes to making change happen, a leader who leads by example can only take his/her team so far. This is the point in which the leader needs to switch gears and become not only a leader who leads by example, but also one who speaks up and out for his/her intiative. Leading by example can be inspirational; however, many teachers do not know where and how to start when they are inspired. This is when the leader of IICT can speak up and share his/her knowledge and expertise. Once the momentum has been established, then he/she can speak out, describing the needs of the school to administration as well as other IICT leaders with in the board, so that his/her school can have access to all the technology necessary to support student learning.

 

Many of my colleagues have shared with me a variety of effective ways to implement and provide professional development for my current school. They have done so because they have had opportunities to test and implement IICT PD, and they now wish to share their knowledge with others. I can now take the expertise they have shared with me in to my school for my school's intiatives.