Managing Technology in Our Schools

Schools are now at a boiling point for change, about to incorporate technology as never before in our nation's classrooms. For this to happen, the input of savvy business managers is required. Managing Technology in Our Schools is for those who will not only be responsible for managing and financing technology budgets, but for providing the leadership to govern. The book reflects on the last thirteen years of schools' roundabout progress and uses the lessons learned to identify best practices for managing and financing the next wave of technology purchases and application. It highlights the perseverance and persistence that adopting technology required from the beginning and what is needed today as using technology matures from a hyped-up dream into an established, solid support and tool for teaching. To do this, the book will explore schools' political, economic, physical, and staff realities that business management must address in order to continue the process of educating the next generation of technology savvy, intellectual, and problem solving workers. The thoughts in this book are from the perspective of an observer, watching schools and teachers as they pioneer electronic curriculum. These observations show the complexity and the need for forward-thinking management that can be mediators amongst stakeholders, fostering technology as a tool not the mythical silver bullet. It also shows that the next large purchases in technology will be electronic curriculums and deliver a wide variety of materials that employ different teaching techniques.

Betsy Price's book gives clear guidance for technology managers in K-12 settings. The anecdotal stories are especially helpful to considering possible obstacles in the work of managing technology. This book is designed for those new to a position or wishing to be more aware of the various levels and types of challenges for technology use in the schools., The author has provided a very timely and valuable resource to anybody who is interested in what technology is doing, and can potentially do, in America's schools. The book begins with an excellent history of how technology has emerged in the country's schools over the last few decades. Several chapters then follow on how to identify the potential stakeholders for managing technology in our schools, and how to manage those stakeholders. Of particular benefit to the reader is how the author explains clearly and accurately the how to identify and conceptualize a variety of factors, perspectives, and critical issues that have to be considered in such a complex domain as a school if technology is going to be effectively managed. The author is obviously anexperienced grant writer and includes some suggestions for effective funding initiatives that alone make buying the text worthwhile., Ms. Price has explained the conundrum of using technology in the classroom in such a way that anyone interested in starting a program will find specific guidelines and those building a program will find strategies for expansion. Readers will enjoy her stories about teachers and their struggles; perhaps even be amazed by the distance teachers will go to improve learning experiences for their students., As we continue to evaluate and improve technology integration in our classrooms, here is a book that examines where we've been over the past few decades and makes recommendations for today. I found Betsy Price's new book to be a comprehensive review of technology integration in our schools with great advice as we plan for the future. I recommend Managing Technology in our Schools to all technology decision makers in the educational process., The author has provided a very timely and valuable resource to anybody who is interested in what technology is doing, and can potentially do, in America's schools. The book begins with an excellent history of how technology has emerged in the country's schools over the last few decades. Several chapters then follow on how to identify the potential stakeholders for managing technology in our schools, and how to manage those stakeholders. Of particular benefit to the reader is how the author explains clearly and accurately the how to identify and conceptualize a variety of factors, perspectives, and critical issues that have to be considered in such a complex domain as a school if technology is going to be effectively managed. The author is obviously an experienced grant writer and includes some suggestions for effective funding initiatives that alone make buying the text worthwhile.

Betsy Price is associate faculty at the University of Texas at Brownsville.