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I still remember how excited I was back in May 2011 when the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) published their position statement on Social Media and Mobile Technologies. As we approach the four-year anniversary of this document, my feelings have changed to disappointment due to the limited progress I perceive in this area. Ignoring and/or banning the use of social media and mobile technologies in schools is still far too prevalent and it is bad for kids.
Here is the key phrase in this position statement for me:
"Education should prepare students to be active, constructive participants in a global society."
The best way for this to happen is also clearly articulated in the position statement:
"Encourage and model the appropriate and responsible use of mobile and social technologies to maximize students' opportunities to create and share content."
Along the same line, the recent interview below that Joe Mazza did with Richard Culatta, Director of the United States Office of Education Technology Culatta talks about what we need in our schools to create schools that are "Future Ready."
"It's not OK for district and school leaders to say I'm not that tech savvy. Even joking about that is not funny anymore...The strategy for using technology to transform learning cannot be delegated..."
So I ask my colleagues the following question:What are you doing to model the use of technological tools in your role?
Here's a place to start
If you aren't sure where to start, NASSP has shown great leadership over the past four years with its Digital Principal Award that selects three school leaders annually "who exhibit bold, creative leadership in their drive to harness the potential of new technologies to further learning goals."
Check out the work of this year's winners John Bernia, James Richardson, and Bill Ziegler to get a look at what best practice looks like. In addition, look back at past winners (2014) Daisy Dyer Duerr, Jason Markey, Derek McCoy, (2013) Dwight Carter, Ryan Imbriale, Carrie Jackson, (2012) Eric Sheninger, Mike King, and me. All of these school leaders are just a few keystrokes away and they are willing to answer questions that you may have to help you and/or your school community move forward on this challenging and exciting path!
cross-posted at www.patrickmlarkin.com
Patrick Larkin is the Assistant Superintendent for Learning of Burlington Public Schools in Burlington, MA and the former principal of Burlington High. He blogs about education at www.patrickmlarkin.com.
