Databus Issue: 2008 2 07/17/2008
Best Practices
Phil Scrivano VPNew Technologies for K-12 Institutions: Are You in the Financial Loop?
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If new technologies have to do with network infrastructure or the latest laptops available, you are most likely an authority and are part of the discussion. For many technology leaders in K-12 education, the new technologies that you have to deal with get pushed down from curriculum experts or special programs. Often, the new technology is sold to the district before you become involved. Then it is your department’s job to work with a vendor’s engineer to figure out how it will work on your network or in your classrooms.
One solution is to learn to be involved in what is going on in education technology as it relates to the classroom. There are good sources to help broaden your education knowledge base such as EdWeek Update at http://www.edweek.org. This weekly email showcases trends and issues in education on a national level. A quick perusal will often at least make you familiar with what your administration and teachers are asking for.
As a best practice to decrease this stress on your department, get involved in the decision-making meetings departments have with the appropriate assistant superintendents or at the level financial decisions are made. To insure you are invited to these meetings, push to create a district policy stating that no technology (hardware, software, and infrastructure) can be purchased without your signature. It is good to set a minimum amount for this policy to be enforced such as $500 or a level you are comfortable with.
