In many settings, IT solutions can be engineered and tested for highly predictable uses. In schools, one cannot accurately predict how IT will be used until it is used by students and teachers for educational tasks. Classrooms are places where diverse lessons are taught by diverse teachers to diverse students whose experiences affect how effective a lesson will be.
IT configuration can be considered neutral. It does not matter the purpose for which the network is used for, the devices are the same and their configuration is the same. When configuring a firewall, an IT professional uses the same commands when they work in a school as when they work in an accounting office.
It Isn’t Your Parents’ #edtech https://hackscience.net/2024/08/27/it-isnt-your-parents-edtech/
When hiring new IT leaders, CEOs must be very cautious of those who intend to replace systems. The existing systems were installed for a reason and the familiarity causes the leader to prefer other systems cause large groups of faculty and staff to prefer the existing systems. Until a leader understands the systems and the many contingencies that affect the total cost of replacement, then they should not be authorized to make significant changes.
Elevator Pitch: IT Leadership https://hackscience.net/2024/08/26/elevator-pitch-it-leadership/
Director of Teaching and Learning Innovation at a community college in New England
Retired k-12 science/ math/ technology teacher/ technology integration specialist/ coordinator