Dr Scott MacLeod writes an edtech focused blog with a slant on leadership and IMHO he has a fair amount of insight worth reviewing. With Vital about to visit Hamble Community Sports College next week I am mindful of one of his recent posts….
As I’ve said many times:
If a teacher gets it, a classroom changes. If a principal gets it, the whole building begins to change. If a superintendent gets it, the whole district begins to change. [And, if state or federal policymakers get it, the statewide or nationwide climate begins to change.]
Seems obvious, right? So why are so many government / corporation / foundation educational technology reform initiatives (money, time, training, energy, vision) focused on teachers, who at best are usually informal leaders, rather than formal leaders such as principals and superintendents? Do they want systemic change or just something they can tout for public relations purposes?
I do hope they have taken this viewpoint into account and this post in not meant to be a criticism. Will I be brave enough to formally mention it on Thursday? After all, where do you throw your stones, on the edge of the pond or where the ripples will have the greatest impact?