Leadership and Educational Technology Annotated Resource List

This is a list of some of the web sites that Harvey Barnett, a Senior Research Associate in our Technology in Education group, has complied for principals to assist them in being leaders to increase the use of technology in their schools. You may have favorites that are not listed here. If so, please send the URLs to Harvey Barnett at for possible inclusion in the list.

Harvey’s Picks:

1. Critical Issue: Providing Professional Development for Effective Technology Use
   
   

   An online article dealing with the issues of staff development that promotes effective use of technology for instruction and describes how staff development should be part of the school plan.

   This article is interesting in that it describes the elements of a professional development program that will result in teachers using technology in ways that will impact student achievement.

2. US News and World Report’s cover article on children and computers, touching upon the PR efforts of the Alliance for Childhood's call for a ban on computers in elementary schools.
   
   

   For educators who believe that technology has the potential to positively impact students, it is important to know that there are others who hold an opposite view. This article covers some of their concerns.

3. Portal for Administrative Leadership
   
   

   An online portal for administrators with resources in the following areas: Data-Driven Decision-Making, Integrating Technology into Standards-based Curriculum; Technology Planning, Professional Development; Financial Planning for Technology, Operations and Maintenance. An excellent new and growing one-stop shopping center for administrators.

   This new site was especially designed to meet the needs of principals and other technology leaders. There are links to sites, current information, research and the opportunity to interact with other administrators.

4. Principal Connections: A Guide to Technology Leadership
   
   

   This CD-ROM produced by AEL and companion web site is designed to help school leaders recognize, promote and evaluate effective technology use in their schools.

   For those of you who don’t have time to surf the web for information, this terrific CD has a wealth of information, and includes examples of all the issues of technology that demand a principal's attention.

5. Critical Issue: Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement
   
   

   A discussion of the issues surrounding the assessment of the impact of technology on student achievement.

   This is a critical issue for many parents and others who question whether the funds spent for technology have a return on investment.

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6. National Educational Standards for Students and Teachers
   
   

   The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has developed technology standards for students and teachers. These standards can serve as a guide for which skills students and teachers should master as well as a tool for assessment.

   We are asked many times to define technology literacy, which is not an easy task. ISTE has been working with others to define what constitutes proficiency for students and teachers. We think you will find this information useful to help assess the impact of technology.

7. Professional Development for Principals, Seven Core Beliefs
   
   

   This article explores the seven core beliefs that should be held to help make a genuine difference in our schools.

   This is an important article. If principals are to be the instructional leaders and change agents for their schools, then they should participate in professional development.

8. The CEO Forum, School Technology and Readiness Report
   
   

   Reports on the status of technology implementation in America’s schools and the STAR Chart. The STAR chart can help your school answer the following questions: To what degree it is using technology effectively? What is its current technology profile? What is the criteria for judging your progress?

   A coalition of businesses worked together to assess the state of implementation of technology in the United States. The STAR chart is a useful tool to help schools assess their implementation status.

9. The Challenges of Sustaining A Constructivist Classroom Culture, Mark Windschitl, Phi Delta Kappan, June 99.

   This article describes the challenges that principals face in helping teachers sustain a classroom culture that values constructivist learning.

   We like this article because it discusses the support principals must give to teachers as they change their practices when parents and others question this change.

10. Do Computers in the Classroom Boost Academic Achievement?
    
    

    A new analysis by The Heritage Foundation of recent research into the use of technology in the classroom.

    It's important to realize that technology is not everyone's friend. This article will give you examples of varying thoughts on technology.

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11. Technology in American Schools: Seven Dimensions for Gauging Progress
    
    

    This framework, The Seven Dimensions for Gauging Progress, is intended for policymakers, educators, and technology directors to use as a road map when attempting to bring up the learning levels of students through technology. It describes the conditions that should be in place for technology to be used to its greatest educational advantage in any classroom.

    The Milken Family Foundation pulled this report together that describes the dimensions that you need to include in a comprehensive technology plan.

12. Changing the Conversation about Teaching, Learning & Technology, A Report on Ten Years of ACOT Research, Apple Computer, Inc., 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014.

    This report presents some of the ACOT findings and suggests the implications they have for education. The report describes what happens when students use technology as a tool for building their own knowledge - and examines the impact on the kinds of skills they develop. The report also describe how teachers can use technology to create more challenging learning environments.

    The ACOT project was a ten-year effort to determine the effect of technology on students and teachers. No other company made this commitment. This short report will help you to understand the potential of technology to impact students and teachers.

13. Indicators of High Technology Performance
    
    

    A matrix of indicators on high technology performance.

    This article presents another matrix to help principals measure the status of technology implementation in their schools.

14. Fools Gold: A Critical Look at Computers in Childhood
    
    

    Do you know how proficient you are in the use of technology? This site will help you find out. A report by the Alliance for Childhood calls for a moratorium on adding computers to classrooms. Here’s another one of those studies talking about the negative impact of technology use on students. Lots of food for thought.

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