EDUC 638

Picciano (2011) discussed a lot of technology leadership and various programs that school districts might use to collect, organize, analyze data in order to make a school function in a harmonious way.  Reflecting on the indispensable programs that were discussed such as excel for a database, office automatons, and other big programs.  I feel like these big downloadable programs can be easily outdated and can throw off a school system into an even bigger learning curve.  Most everything in my district is online, including the accessibility option that we have outside of the classroom.  Unlike, Liberty we use Google and have gmail accounts for the staff and students so that we can synchronously keep in contact with each other, upload assignments, hand in assignments, create a "Google" product, from anywhere around the world.  Liberty make it tough to stay in contact from anywhere in the world because they are still using Microsoft Outlook as their primary form of communication.  This disables adult learners the accessibility option from an "on the go" life which most access their information on their phone or tablet.
I like that my district has this free open sourced option because it allows "sky's the limit" in my instruction and communication with my colleagues and parents.
Madura and DeDe (2010) use a virtual world for their students and create simulated situations that are easy to navigate around and there isn't a huge learning curve.  I feel using these type of big programs and the updated versions always seem to bring a huge learning curve.  If administrators need to be consistent and accurate with the input of their information, this can create a high anxiety situation.  Why not have a program that is easy to learn and accessible from anywhere from the world.

Hall, D. (2008). The Technology Director’s Guide to Leadership. ISTE ISBN 978-1-56484-244-2.

Madura, J.C. and DeDe, C. (2010). Assessment technology and change. Journal of  Research on                       Technology in Education, Vol. 42,3, pp. 309-328. Retrieved from:                                                             http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ882508.pdf.

Picciano, A. G. (2011). Educational leadership and planning for technology (5th ed.).  Hunter College, NY: Allyn & Bacon.