~Technology+Leadership

===**Often times it can be difficult to find information regarding technology, or find others in the education field who strive to use technology in the classroom effectively. Using different methods of social networking and creating Personal Learning Networks can help you reach out to other to find the help and support you need in being an advocate for technology use in your school.3** ===

A great way to get informal professional development is to utilize and become part of many online discussions. These discussion forums are free and full of very useful information. A few examples are listed below.


 * < [[image:http://technmarketing.com/blog3/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/twitter-follow-me-post1.jpg width="200" height="143" align="center"]] |||| [|Twitter] - By the use of hash tags, an educator is able to tweet about specific topics and also search for other tweets related to the same topics. This provides great collaboration among colleagues across the world and is very simple. If you want to share something interesting with a group, type your information and include the "hash tag" somewhere in your tweet.
 * The following 2 links provide lists of educational hash tags to use when tweeting.
 * [|Link to Edutopia Article on using Twitter]
 * [|Teachers Training article on how to use Twitter to develop professionaly]
 * [|Twitter for Teachers] - This is a slideshare presentation describing different ways that you as an educator could use twitter for professional development ||
 * = [[image:http://www.21things4administrators.net/uploads/1/5/4/6/1546201/9359143.jpg?227]] |||| [|MACUL Space] - This site has many groups already formed that you can join and become part of the discussion forum or you can create your own group and start a discussion forum within that group. Either way it is a great site to connect with other educators and share ideas.
 * Below are a few group discussion forums to follow.
 * [|Face To Face Group]
 * [|Cloud Computing Group]
 * [|Mobile Learning Group] ||
 * = [[image:7-11-2011_9-08-59_PM.png width="331" height="36"]] |||| [|Classroom 2.0] - Another discussion forum site with great groups to search through and become part of discussion forums.
 * Below are a few group discussion forums to follow.
 * [|Cell Phones in Education Group]
 * [|Technology integration Group] ||

===Finding information and allies can be difficult at times but it is important to remember and inform others why it is so important to have technology in our schools. We are striving to make sure that all students are ready for the 21st century. These links will help and guide technology advocates in their mission.===
 * [[image:ITSE.JPG width="265" height="60"]] |||||| **The International Society for Technology in Education**. As the website states: "As technology dramatically changes our society, educators need to demonstrate the skills and behaviors of digital-age professionals. Competence with technology is the foundation. Societies are changing, Expectations are changing, Teaching is changing, Educators must lead." This organization has written National Educational Technology Standards ([|NETS] ) for the various roles held in schools whether it be for students, administrators, teachers, or coaches. These standards can help guide individuals to better understand what knowledge they should have and how best to fulfill their roles and help others. ||
 * [[image:ICT.JPG width="249" height="66"]] ||||||  **Information and Communications Technology in Education**. This site is a blog by Terry Freedman who writes about issues concerning technology and education and those who are teachers and leaders in this department. This specific link is to the first of a series of entries titled[| "31 Days to Become a Better Ed Tech Leader".] While the each entry is an action, the author states that some are simply to pondered and discussed knowing that action may not be feasible for every entry, but that spreading ideas is often the first step down the path to your goal. ||
 * [[image:http://www.britannica.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/21st-century_credit_pete_ashton.JPG width="155" height="90"]] |||||| **[|The Partnership for 21st Century Skills] .** This national organizations advocates for ensuring that all students are taught 21st century skill sets in order to participate in a competitive global economy. Specifically, this link directs to a an e-paper that states that professional development should incorporate and teach the same 21st skills that students are to be taught in schools and that this same professional development should help teachers understand how to integrate these skills into their teaching practices. ||
 * [[image:http://graph.facebook.com/11810947910/picture?type=square width="65" height="65"]] |||| **National School Boards Assoc.** This site provides numerous sources for a variety of topics concerning public schools, but this specifically links to their [|Technology Leadership Network] This page provides numerous resources such as webinars and an e-zine for individuals looking to promote educational technology in schools and learning, however the main benefit lies in the social networking factor that you are joining others in a cohesive organization to promote a cause. ||