"Final Step: Bringing About Change"...or at least trying!

Last week we wrapped up our pilot project experience in EDU781: Technology for Leaders, and I have a lot to say about my experience. 

1. How has the process been? Most positive aspect; the most negative/challenging (if any)?

The process of trying to run my pilot was very eye-opening. This is my first year in my new school and district, and it is much larger than my old district. My old district was made up of eight schools, and I was a member of the technology department which only consisted of four school Tech Coordinators, three IT specialists, one Tech Director, and the Assistant Superintendent. When we needed to make decisions, it was a swift process and we were able to give information to teachers promptly. My new district has over 50 schools in it, and the technology department seems to be very disconnected from the day-to-day workings inside the school buildings. After receiving some positive feedback about the possibilities of piloting GoGuardian for my project, my requests to set up a trial account for the site were sent around to eight different people before I was eventually told I couldn’t do the project due to a lack of funding for the district to actually pay for GoGuardian ($300,000/year!). A positive aspect of the project was that I was able to make connections with technology leaders throughout the district, so when I do want to make changes, or eventually be a leader in my building, I will have names that I know can move the process along quickly.

2. Are you still excited about your topic and believe in its potential? 

I am still passionate about needing a tool like GoGuardian to manage student browsing in the classroom. Since I used Hapara for this at my old school, I know the value of having this ability in my classroom and the positive impacts it can have on student learning. I use technology daily in my class, and I know that a lot of students are not getting the most out of it due playing games and engaging in other off-task behaviors every time I look away.

3.  How has the pilot experience enhanced your growth as a future Technology Leader/Change Agent? 

This experience has enhanced my growth as a change agent because I’ve learned that if I’m going to request a product that will have such a large financial impact on the district, then I will need a ton of support from people in the schools, but more importantly from people making decisions. I’ve also learned that if I want to make change in my individual school, I would have a lot better luck finding a project that can be funded through grants or donations.

4.  Now that you have completed or almost completed your Technology Specialist Endorsement program journey, what do you believe is your next step(s)?

Since this is my first year in a new school and I’ve put in a lot of work this year, I’d like to continue teaching math for at least the foreseeable future. My current technology coach will be retiring in three years, so I could see myself going for that position when the time comes. She also teaches two technology classes during the day, which means I’d still get to interact with students while also being a coach. That sounds like an ideal situation to me.