What is an ed-tech leader? | SmartBlogs SmartBlogs

What is an ed-tech leader? | SmartBlogs SmartBlogs

Remember what  Nicholas Provenzano reminds us:


"Every person has what it takes to be an ed-tech leader. Having passion for education and technology gets a person two-thirds of the way there. Take those leadership qualities that we all possess and focus them on your passions, and you can be a leader in ed tech for your school, district, state or beyond."


His advice includes:


1. Explore the flux of emerging technologies with your "teaching and learning" eyes.


2. Evaluate honestly for classroom use: what will work and what won't. I think a good example of this type of evaluation is Teachers First -- spot on classroom applications and work-arounds.


3. Choose what works for your school, your curriculum, your students. I remind new users: what is your TAP: topic, audience, and purpose. The tool you need will flow from that. That's why reviews from places like  Teachers First are helpful.

4. Connect with the flow of leaders for new ideas and strategies as well as new tools. Mr. Provenzano mentions my favorites: Twitter, Zite, and Google Reader. I would also add Google Alerts and Diigo for Education (social bookmarking).

5. Learn along with your colleagues. Remind them that in today's information-blasting world, that we learn better together, and no one knows everything. "I don't know, but let's find out" is the mantra for all of us. As Mr. Provenano says, "Real leaders let the world know they do not know everything but will do their best to learn as much as possible with the help of peers." 


And I say, "Go boldly and scatter seeds of kindness...Reflect curiosity and wonder."  Let the leader within you shine! You can do it!