Final Project: Using Google to become a 21st Century Administrator by Steven Tarver

1. What is your personal vision for how Google's web-based tools can help improve collaboration and communication within your particular school community?
My personal vision for Google's web based tools is to see it expand and grow among educators not only in my school but my school district as well.  These applications are so user friendly everyone (including the most novice computer user) that educators can find a way to incorporate them in their classroom activities. 

2. Which Google tools you are most likely to implement and why?
From a professional perspective, I have found the use of blogging interesting, cutting edge, and innovative.  Imagine the dialogue among administrators who have concerns or problems within their building with students, faculty, and parents? Blogging allows administrators to share ideas, discuss what strategies are working, and how to become better school leaders.  Teachers can also use blogging to satisfy the same objectives as administrators.


3. What lessons have you learned from reviewing how other administrators and schools are using Google Calendar, Docs, and Blogger?
I have learned that Google Docs are user friendly even for the novice user.  In my school, the technology department will train faculty members while demonstrating how this application can be used in classes to enhance student learning.  Also, I will encourage faculty members to take advantage of any professional development opportunities (technology related) offered by our district.


4. How does your vision align with the Visionary Leadership standard as put forth in ISTE's National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators.
My vision properly aligns with the standard prescribed by ISTE's of inspiring and facilitating a shared vision among stakeholders.  My vision is focused on student achievement and learning.  This can't be done without collaboration among community stakeholders, parents, other educators, and central office personnel.


Please address the following goals in your action plan
1. What are your goals for integrating Google Tools into your school or personal practice?

• My initial goal would be to implement a school and teacher blog page.
•  My second goal would consist incorporate a student spreadsheet through Google Docs (among homeroom teachers) to monitor student progress 

2.  What steps will you need to take to implement your vision?

• To have the faculty/staff buy into this vision
• The cost involved (if any) in implementing this project
• To ensure all faculty/staff receive adequate training

3.  What key unanswered questions do you have about using Google tools?

• How will it enhance student learning long term

4.  Among school staff, who will be able to help you implement your vision?

• This vision will be implemented through the assistance of the following individuals: the technology coordinator, department heads, and assistant principals.

Technology from an Administrator's Perspective

As educators, we are constantly reminded about technology and how it's implementation is vital to the success of any school and/or district.  Pertaining to educational leaders, we are charged with the daunting task of "staying fresh with technology" during a time in which technology can be intimidating to some school leaders providing a feeling of uncertainty.




As an administrator, my goal will be to constantly model technology to faculty and staff members.  By modeling, I will exhibit behaviors that will allow others to follow or incorporate in their daily technological use at school.  For example, instead of formal faculty meetings, I would post a blog (via email) to everyone in the building.  By doing so, this will cut down on lengthy meetings while allowing teachers to focus more on instruction.  Personally, I see this as an innovative way to foster alternate forms of communication with others.




Another example of modeling would be for faculty and staff members (in my school) to train each other in the building through professional development while reaching out to other schools within the district to introduce this new form of communication while promoting it's effectiveness.  This would be a great time for teachers to showcase what they know by sharing information to stakeholders and others in the community while gaining the perspectives of others.




Finally, I will strive to keep my faculty and staff abreast of the changing face of technology through imparting information through professional development and explaining how this will benefit students through instruction.  The primary objective is meeting student needs while incorporating a vision of how this will look not only in a single classroom but in a academic department, career tech department, fine arts department, foreign language and special education department.  Regardless of the department, the goal and vision should look the same.




In closing, no program will be successful without evaluating it's effectiveness.  As the administrator, conducting formative assessments at the duration of each school year will not only assist the staff on the changes needed to help the school move forward, it will assist my technological prowess as well.