Field+based+Report+VII

[|Field Based Summary Report Standard 7.doc] Procedure, Polices, Planning, and Budgeting for Technology Environments
 * Field Based Summary Report Standard VII**

In Good to Great, Jim Collins (2001) noted “that a critical part of success is having the right people doing the right things” (Harris, Edmonson, & Coombs, 2010, p.69). From my perspective, that is what Standard VII is all about. Along with my typical duties as a classroom teacher and head swim coach forHighland ParkHigh School, I am in charge of the day to day operation and maintenance of the Highland Park School District Natatorium and, as such, considered a leader in this area. “The leadership team shares problems, responsibilities, and decision making with the administration” (Dana, 2009, p.21). As the natatorium expert, it is my job to plan with district personnel if they are making any minor or major changes to the existing structure and or technology in the area. One of the big concerns I dealt with this past year was result of poor workmanship when they replaced sections of the roof. After the work, we experienced a series of major rain storms, and had serious water leakage. As a result, I suggested a walk-through and equipment check to insure the water that had leaked onto some of the hardware had not damaged it and or could cause a fire when it was going to be turned on.

In the course of a meeting I held with Dr. Coker, Superintendent of Business Administration, we reviewed current fee usage agreements we had in place for the natatorium and developed a fee structure and policy usage agreement form for any technology equipment that an outside program might use in the future. This was a great meeting as I had the opportunity to develop and implement a new usage agreement that I felt was sorely needed. I believe Dr. Coker felt confident enough in my abilities and knowledge in this area to look at me as the expert in this field when we developed our new plan. I then had to explain to the current groups renting the facility what our new policy and procedure was for technology equipment use.

Other activities relating to standard VII included time spent researching a new software and hardware product that would allow swimmers to use telemetry technology, which would provide me with real time feedback of performance indicators to adjust learning and instruction. Williamson and Redish (2009) argue that it is important to anticipate administration inquiries regarding educational technology expenditures (Williamson and Redish, 2009). My research showed that the cost is currently too high and that the technology has not yet been proven to be effective enough for the cost involved. I am following the progress of this company’s products very closely and hope to see successful integration in other school systems in the future. I shared this information with my athletic director during our regularly scheduled budget meeting and let him know I would continue to monitor its usage and progress. At this same meeting, we also discussed some recommendations I made for software upgrades concerning swim meet management hardware based on my research and evaluations so as to keep our natatorium’s technology current.

Referernces

Combs, J., Harris, S., Edmonson, S., (2010) //Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools//. Larchmont: NY

Dana, N., (2009). //Leading with passion and Knowledge: The principal as action researcher//.Thousand Oaks,CA: Corwin Press

Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009//). ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership standards:// // What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do //. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education