“Although teachers perhaps represent the "front line" for the use of technology to improve student learning, a substantive body of research strongly points to the fact that training that does not include a school leadership component will be ineffective. According to Coley, Cradler, and Engel (1997), "research on the adoption of innovations in schools consistently points to the key role of administrators in successful implementation" (p. 5). Byrom (1998) identifies the leadership and vision that these administrators bring to the table, as they relate to technology integration, as the single most important factor affecting the successful integration of technology. Likewise, teachers’ attitudes are strongly impacted by school administrators’ support. Administrators need training "in how to provide adequate planning time and observe, coach, and reward teachers in the integration of computers into their instructional strategies." Pitler, 2005
As I see more and more technology present in the school building, I see less and less focus on technology from the leadership. I think that my principal thinks that putting kids on a program in the lab for 45 minutes a week meets their needs. This year, the administration on my campus actually removed the previously required "technology product" from the weekly lesson plan template. The justification was that the teachers are "too busy" to have to think up a product each week. I hope to see leaders in the near future who are technologically savy and supportive of integrating technology into the classroom. Otherwise we are going to see a lot of good expensive equipment go to waste.
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