Building With the End in Mind

I find it surprising that districts still implement device initiatives without properly planning the deployment.

And  I will say, as a technology 'super user', I wish our district would spend more time planning with the end in mind.

I totally agree that a comprehensive plan must be formulated as a starting point for any 1:1 deployment.  While I believe that our infrastructure needs have been readily addressed, our teacher PD portion of the planning as well as back end assessment of the initiative are sorely lacking.

We need to get to the point where our faculty can teach our students how to best utilize their technology as a tool for learning and move past Kahoot! and Nearpod -- those are entry points for assessment and information...not proof of effective, comprehensive technology utilization.

Ask our students what they NEED.  Ask our teachers what they NEED.  Then build a solution around that.

What is a Flat Leader?

A flat Leader is a leader within an organization that allows their team to share responsibilities, decisions, successes, and ideas.

As for the three "Not to Dos", I would probably rank them as follows:

1. Do Not Feel That You Are Alone - In a school the size of mine, we often work on projects and initiatives separately from our peers.  At times, it is easy to to feel very isolated and believe that no one understands.
2. Do Not Force the Use of a Device, If It's Not Meaningful - We have some professionals on our faculty that are still very resistant to the use of devices and technology.  It is a bit of a Catch 22 -- we want them to use technology, but we also need for it to be meaningful.  I feel that it is sometimes easier to just get them to use the device, then to show them how to make it more meaningful.  This will remain a challenge.
3. Do Not Leave All Professional Learning for the Summertime - We are busy.  It is easy to leave PD for the summertime.  The End.

Derrick Brown is a Principal in San Antonio.  His school is the Young Men's Leadership Academy.

I do not know if it resonates with other administrators, but the No Fault Zone resonates with me.  I am well known for taking risks and encouraging my faculty to do the same.  Risk makes things exciting.  The payoff can be huge.  It can also lead to spectacular failure.  But without risk, there is little reward.  In my professional practice, I like to be the guy that says 'YES!'.