Changing a Culture - Digital Age Learning Culture

According to the ISTE Standards for School Administrators: Standard # 2

Digital age learning culture
Educational Administrators create, promote, and sustain a dynamic, digital-age learning culture that provides a rigorous, relevant, and engaging education for all students.     

• Ensure instructional innovation focused on continuous improvement of digital-age learning 
• Model and promote the frequent and effective use of technology for learning
• Provide learner-centered environments equipped with technology and learning resources to meet the individual, diverse needs of all learners
• Ensure effective practice in the study of technology and its infusion across the curriculum 
• Promote and participate in local, national, and global learning communities that stimulate innovation, creativity, and digital age collaboration

As the CIO and Director of Technology I make it a priority to continue to push my colleagues towards this end.  I feel that it is my responsibility to provide learning experiences for them and give them the resources that they need.  However, I should not take this challenge on all by myself.  There comes a point when everyone in the organization, including teachers and administrators must take it upon themselves to seek out new ways to utilize technology to improve and enhance instruction.

"How can technology be used in an effective manner to improve instruction?"  This question has been asked of me many times over the past year.  Here is the way I answer it...

Everything that we do when it comes to incorporating or infusing technology starts with instruction and pedagogy.  Good pedagogical practices must be in place for technology to even be incorporated.  Without sound instructional practices, technology is a waste of time and money.

Modeling and promoting the frequent and effective use of technology for learning is essential by all stakeholders in the school community.  Principals, assistant principals, directors, supervisors, and teachers all must model innovative practice.

Here is a question for us all to think about.  How do we successfully engage our administrator colleagues in this practice?  By getting all of us to engage in modeling and promoting the use of technology for learning, it will bleed successfully into the instructional program.  But how can this be done?  Do we model it ourselves and hope that other administrators follow suit?  The question is which to change first...the belief that it is important enough to infuse technology, or the structure to allow it to happen on its own?  Feel free to comment.

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Being Inspired by the willingness to try something new

In my day to day job duties, I often walk the buildings I work in talking with teachers about their existing technology.  Quite often, teachers tend to tell me what is wrong or not working.  I don't blame them, actually, I encourage that.  I want to know when something isn't working...I guess because I am a problem solver, or fixer.  As I walked around today, I came across a teacher with a different approach.

This conversation started out the same as the many others I had during this particular walk.  She started to tell me how difficult it was to have students use the laptops we had because they were not allowing students to save to the network.  We've been having this problem ever since we purchased these macbooks and updated them to the newest OS (We never updated the scripts in binding them to the network).  Anyway, back to the story...she also told me how her students couldn't type their entire stories in one sitting and since they had no way of saving, she was not sure how they would "publish" their writing.

So here I was...many ideas racing in my head, you know, since I'm a problem solver.  The first idea that popped out involved using Google Docs.  Since students could access the internet from any laptop we had, they could then create and write their stories in google, which saves automatically.  My ideas kept spewing.  Students could also partner with "writing buddies" to provide feedback in the form of "comments" and the teacher could set up a google classroom so that her students could submit their writing to her...again for feedback.

Now,  as I was saying all this, I was trying to read the expression of this teacher.  Was she going to accept my suggestions and "try" this idea?  Was she going to tell me 15 different reasons why it wouldn't work?  Was she going to just tell me that she was going to give up and just have her students do their writing like they always had done before?  Nope.  Not this teacher.

To my amazement and glee, this teacher was so happy and excited to be trying something new that we talked for another 10 minutes discussing how we could get the ball rolling on this new idea.  Embracing challenges like trying something new could be difficult because in many ways, it can be scary.  This teacher, like many we have in my district knows the importance of trying something new and embracing this "brave new world" of technology.

It inspired me today to work with this teacher and the many others that I get to work with on a daily basis.  I wrote a previous post on the difference between doing things that we "have to do", and doing things we "get to do".  Today, I got to briefly work with an inspiring teacher.  I'm so glad that I get to do these kinds of things.


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Rethinking existing technology

I have been meeting with teachers over the past few weeks to discuss the implementation of iPads in their classrooms.  As I always do, I start each meeting asking how things are going...how is the wifi in each room, and anything else tech related.  I want to give teachers a platform to vent, ask questions and share with me both frustration and confusion.

The responses often start out, "Things are ok, but..."  Being a problem solver, I love to entertain these statements.  Tell me what could be better, tell me what isn't working and we can work together to fix it.  So, recently what keeps coming up is that teachers have these scanners that we purchased a few years ago.  They love these scanners.  They use them all the time.  They scan student work, they scan assessments, they scan pages of a book to show on their smartboards.  They seem to scan everything.  Now that we are fully Windows 7, many of the scanners don't work.  We actually knew this was going to happen.  It happened years ago with our printers when we moved from Windows 95 to Windows XP.  Drivers just aren't updated as often.  I guess it's a reason to keep on purchasing new scanners.

So I came up with a very good solution.  We don't really need to buy new scanners.  I told the teachers with the 5 ipads in their classrooms, they now have 5 new scanners.  They said, "What?  Really?"  Yes, really.  There are many ways to use iPads or any smartphone as a scanner and make it relevant to instruction.  Here is one easy solution:

 Google Drive - Install google drive on iPad

• Once installed, you can open the app, click on +
• There you can use the camera to snap a photo (scan)
• It will automatically appear in your google drive to access from any computer.  If you have a computer connected to your smartboard, you can then open the document there and present it for all to see.

 In fact, any classroom can do this even without an expensive ipad.  All you need is a smartphone.  You can follow the steps above and have your scanner.

Today, technology is changing so rapidly.  Very often, where there used to be a device to do something unique and specific, today there is an app.  Think of all the devices that are contained in one smartphone:

1. Scanner
2. Phone
3. Computer
4. Fax
5. Movie player
6. Music Player
7. Clock
8. Alarm
9. Calculator
10. Video game player
11. Camera
12. Video Camera
13. Calendar
14. Photo Album
15. Flashlight
16. Compass
17. GPS/Navigator
18. Address Book

Plus many, many more.  See link:  99 Devices and Services your smartphone replaces

The important lesson here is to be able to know what you want to accomplish and use the resources of what you have to get it done.  It doesn't always mean spending more money on new technology.  Sometimes the technology is already there and doesn't cost anything.


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Why Blog?

Why Blog?  This is a question that I have been asked numerous times over the past month as I have been inviting others to blog with me.  I have read many articles, books and other blogs on the topic and have come to the conclusion that I should be blogging...and from a previous post...it is not because I "have to", rather it is because I "get to" share my experiences and knowledge with whomever wants to read it.

Here are the two main resources I used to "convince" others to blog with me:

1.  http://drspikecook.com/2012/09/30/why-i-keep-blogging/

2.  http://pernillesripp.com/2014/12/21/a-few-nontraditional-tips-for-starting-your-own-blogging-journey/

I also recommend Eric Sheninger's book, "Digital Leadership".  You can follow these three leaders:  @DrSpikeCook   @E_Sheninger  @pernilleripp

So here is my take on why I blog:

I blog to share my experiences and my knowledge with others.  I don't know everything and I certainly have many more questions than answers, but I enjoy putting my thoughts on paper...or in this case, on the internet.  I also need the space to think through what it means to be a learner in this day and time.  Blogging helps me think through the questions, the thoughts, the possibilities, the ideas, and the "what ifs" without any judgements.  

Another main reason to blog is to open up doors that may not have been open before.  Blogging allows me to make connections to my PLN through twitter or through the Google + network.  While it is still early in its development (my blog), I am certain that it will pay huge dividends in the future.  Isn't this what we want in our students?  Don't we want all kids to be lifelong learners, to read each and everyday, to write down their goals, their passions, their ideas?  Don't we want to keep our eyes, ears and our minds open?  That is why i blog.

We all may not agree on why, or even how...but regardless, we should continue to do, to continue to write, read, ask questions, post comments, push each other to being better tomorrow than we are today.  This will not only selfishly benefit ourselves, more importantly, it benefits our students...and isn't that the reason we are in this business.

If one teacher is changed by even one word of my blog and goes out and changes one thing that improves the life of one student, then I am successful.

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Too scared? Just jump right in!

From Lolly Daskal's 13 Personality Traits that can keep you from success, "The frightened lacks the courage to jump in, to feel the fear and do it anyway. Fear of doing is another way of fearing success."

There are many things in life that will keep you from your own success.  One thing that shouldn't is a fear of failure.  As Babe Ruth once said, "Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."  At some point, we all fail, however, it is what we do after we fail that makes all the difference in the world.

In education, either as teachers or as administrators, we are constantly asked to make decisions.  A fear of failure is an easy way out of making difficult decisions.  Many even are seen as thoughtful, pensive, cerebral, and deliberate, while in fact they are scared to make a final decision.  I know decision making is difficult and needs thought and time, but it can also be a way to enable the fear of failure. 

Education is a tough business that is constantly changing.  We must work each and every day to adjust based on the needs of students that are in front of us.  If we continue to teach them the way we learned, we will be making a huge mistake.  Change is frightening, but change is inevitable.

The best way to overcome your fear is having a purpose and mission.  If you identify the reason you need to do something, you are more likely to overcome any fear or anxiety and accomplish that goal.  My professional purpose is to insure that all students have the best education possible.  This mission will help me overcome any of my fears including the fear of failing and the fear of change.

Good luck overcoming your fears...don't be a scaredy cat.

My post connects nicely to Pernille Ripp's Post:  Be careful but don’t be so careful that you do not change.  That is my wish for 2015.



Resources:

Turn into the Storm via @Leadershipfreak
Be Careful via @pernilleripp


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Are you a "non-believer"?

From Lolly Daskal's 13 Personality Traits that can keep you from success, "The nonbeliever isn't built for faith, and can never see the possibility of his or her own success--another self-fulfilling prophecy."

As a big baseball fan, I am always in awe of the successful major league player.  When interviewed about their success, most highly successful players will tell you that they can see their success happen before it actually does.  Whether it is seeing a vision of themselves throwing strikes or hitting a ball, they have an idea of what their success looks like.  It is a confidence in what they can accomplish. It is also a confidence in their growth and success over time.  Many of these highly skilled and highly successful professionals knew at an early age that they were destined to be successful. 

In education, like any business, we have to imagine what success looks like before we can achieve it.  We need to believe in ourselves, our colleagues, and the system as a whole in order for us to get things done. Confidence can be a tricky thing.  Too much confidence can be seen as "cocky" behavior and can deter others from leading with us or following our lead.  It can also prevent us from seeing the big picture...(Seeing the forest through the trees idea).  Too little confidence can be seen as insecurity, or even as a lack of knowledge.  There is a fine line between too much and not enough confidence.

Identifying what you stand for and how you live your life on a daily basis is the place to start.  In my case, I am an educator that believes wholeheartedly that all students can be successful.  This success can only be achieved if the system is set up for their success.  That is where educators come in.  An organization must do everything in its power to insure the success of all students.  As an administrator, I must believe that I have the ability to influence the system to enable it to do what it needs to for every student.  My purpose each day is to continue to believe in that ideal.

I am also a fan of @leadershipfreak and the many blog posts Here.

12 Ways to find your Confidence:

Finding confidence:

1. Reflect on and embrace your beliefs.
2. Reject cocky behaviors. When you feel like pushing others away, pull in, for example.
3. Focus on giving more than getting.
4. Accept your strengths and weaknesses.
5. Develop experience.
6. Adopt a learners attitude.
7. Admit mistakes without excuse and commit to improve.
8. Hold your ground, kindly.
9. Separate performance from intrinsic value.
10. Smile.
11. Plan. Develop first responses to unanticipated questions. Say, “I’m not sure of the answer, let me get back to you,” for example.
12. Share insecurities with friends. Bringing insecurities into the light often weakens them.

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What do you "have to do"? Get from "have to" to "get to" in 2015

What do you "have to do"?  Get from "have to" to "get to" in 2015.

I have previously written about how having a positive mindset can change your entire day.  Here I want to share my thoughts about the difference between having to do something and getting to do something.  2 years ago, my son was a bar mitzvah.  During the ceremony, he spoke on the bimah and read from the Torah.  As part of the tradition, I was asked to come to the bimah to share some wisdom with him and the congregation.  For months I planned my speech...what words of wisdom was I going to share at that moment.  I spent a tremendous amount of time trying to find the right words.  One day, when he was complaining about having to practice so much, it all came to me.

When I spoke to my son on the bimah in front of our entire family and all our friends, I spoke of the difference between "have to" and "get to" when it comes to life.  It is a subtle change in mindset to get from "have to" to "get to" and it's all about a positive attitude.  So, for my son, getting up on the bimah to recite from the Torah can be viewed as something extraordinary that many don't get the opportunity to do.  I even looked at the opportunity to get up on the stage with him as a reward for my hard work as a parent, while my wife, who is much more introverted was scared to say anything publicly and looked at the opportunity, not as a gift, but as a chore. 

In life, there are examples of things that we don't want to do, that through the courses of our days we just "have to" do, but almost all can be thought of in a more positive light.  Today, I woke up at 5:00 a.m. to get to work after having 2 weeks vacation.  I could have thought of it as a chore to "have to" wake up so early, to sit in an hour of traffic to get to work.  Instead, I looked at it as an opportunity to make a difference.  Today, I got to wake up early, I got to come to work, and I got to make a difference in someone's life.

While we can all be pessimistic some days, today we can choose to be more positive and live life as if we have this gift...the gift of making a difference in someone's life.  As educators, we get to experience this every single day, we just have to open our eyes to it and allow it to happen.




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