School administrators model expected behavior

Many people believe that summer is a time off for school personnel. While teachers and other personnel may not come to school everyday many attend workshops, take classes, and gather materials for the coming school year. Principals and superintendents are no exception. Today, all Drew Central administrators attended a session that helps validate our direction into the technological future. Steve Dembo, a former kindergarten teacher and school Director of Technology, who currently serves as Director of Social Media for Discovery Education, a division of The Discovery Channel, spoke to Arkansas school administrators about the possibilities of technology in 21st century schools. Throughout the session I was texting with the principals and Director of Instruction about new ideas we were hearing, how we can use the information, and what teachers we needed to share with. The session validated our direction.
The Drew Central School District has made the commitment to phase out most textbooks over the next five years. Textbook funds will be used to purchase technology: laptops, IPads, Netbooks, Nooks, and Kindles, with the ultimate goal of expanding opportunities for students and teachers. Modeling expected behavior is a basic tenet of teaching. This is why all administrators will now be expected to have their own blog, much like this one. Blogging will provide more opportunities for communicating with students, teachers, staff, parents and
patrons. Obviously with any technology comes inherent issues. My blog allows for anonymous posts. Certainly there will be frivolous posts. However, I believe that the useful dialog will far outpace the negative.
Most people can relate stories of small children who are adept at navigating an IPhone, IPad, computer, etc. Schools must keep pace with the skills of their students. I look forward to exploring the possibilities and to communicating with those persons interested in the education of students in the Drew Central School District.