Next Practices: An Executive Guide for Education Decision Makers

by Darryl Vidal, Michael Casey Retired Executive Director of Technology, President of Eire Group

Overview

N3xt Practices is a ground-breaking advisory book for education decision makers. Its purpose is to challenge the top trends and initiatives of the previous decade in educational technology and bring light to their short-falls and misses. It also highlights successful endeavors and strategies and details a common-sense methodology to move your school/district forward in its technology initiatives while insuring sustainability, and longevity and ultimately, success through results. Next Practices identifies technology-based initiatives, such as Interactive White Boards, Data Centers, and 1-to-1 Computing, and reviews actual implementations and case studies – both successful and unsuccessful – to provide a structure to plan and implement educational technology initiatives practical for schools and districts of all sizes. Next Practices goes beyond the examination of current best practices and redefines for educational leaders NEXT Practices for successful technology initiatives in support of 21st century learning.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781475808001
Publisher:	R&L Education
Publication date:	03/04/2014
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	8.90(w) x 6.30(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Darryl Vidal has been consulting for schools implementing technology for over 20 years. His projects include district-wide implementations of VoIP, Wireless, Data Center Virtualization, and Video Security. His primary instructional focus for over 15 years has been the ever evolving technology classroom. Mr. Vidal has developed the formal strategic planning and project management methodology known as MapITsm. He is currently the Vice President and principal Education Technology Consultant for Southern California-based technology firm Networld Solutions, Inc.

Michael Casey has over 30 years of experience in Education as a classroom teacher, Educational Technology Resource teacher, Program Manager for Educational Technology and as an Executive Director for Information Technology at San Diego Unified School District. He is currently the director of Technology for Del Mar Union Schools and the President and CEO of Eire Group a technology consulting solutions group.

Table of Contents

Summary
PART 1 – EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY AS DEFINED
Introduction
Education and Technology
Your Organization

PART 2 – REAL WORLD TECHNOLOGY SUCCESSES & FAILURES – WHAT & WHY
Interactive White Boards
One-to-one Initiative
Wireless Networking
Enterprise Computing and the Data Center

PART 3 – PLANNING FOR EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY SUCCESS – CURRICULUM BASIS
Curriculum Focused – Purposeful Work
Professional Development – your District’s Priorities, Practices, and Realities
Technology Planning vs. Implementation Planning

PART 4 – THE WAY FORWARD
The Strategic Planning Process
Strategy vs. Tactics
Develop Technology Standards (Practices Aren’t Standards)
Be careful not to take too long of a view
Classroom Technology Standards – The Classroom doesn’t belong to the Teacher, it belongs to the School District (Shhhh …. Don’t tell them!)
Enterprise Management and Sustainability
Enterprise Desktop Management – One Platform Please
The Cloud
The Physical Layer – Standardize Infrastructure
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
About the Authors

Editorial Reviews

In Next Practices, Darryl Vidal and Mike Casey describe a curriculum approach to infusing technology into the educational setting – a brilliant portrayal of easy-to-follow steps and a process so user friendly it is a must read for administrators and teachers everywhere. Downright powerful information for professionals who are committed to effectively leveraging technology in contemporary classrooms.

Holly McClurg

N3xt Practices is a must read for administrators and teachers who are living the current technology revolution. The book outlines specific, practical, and helpful suggestions for effective management of technology implementation. The core of the book revolves around learning, teaching, students, and teachers and the difference technology innovation can make in student achievement. The direction and guidance provided will ensure that resources will be used wisely and purchases will relevant, supported and successful.

Leslie Fausset

Our district has done a comprehensive learning framework and this book provides the next step to integrating the framework into technology. I recommend this book to all districts planning their technology needs for common core.

Cheryl Plotkin

Vidal and Casey have accomplished what few have done before. They present a rational, logical and very practical guide to planning educational technology. With all the hype regarding technology in education it is refreshing to have a planning process that is grounded in reality by making sure everything is considered in its proper order before anything is actually purchased. Highly recommended.

William C. Olien