The School Technology Needs Assessment (STNA, say "Stenna") was originally developed by SEIR*TEC at SERVE in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Educational Technology Division, as part of the LANCET project (Looking at North Carolina Educational Technology). The STNA was created to help building-level planners collect and analyze needs data related to implementation of the NC IMPACT technology integration model, as well as other contemporary frameworks for examining technology use in teaching and learning. The STNA is typically accessed through a web address unique to each school, using a free online surveying system provided by SERVE. After a the survey has been completed by all staff members, it is closed and the address of a web-based report is provided to the individual responsible for coordinating the needs assessment. For schools preferring other options, a paper-and-pencil copy of the STNA may also be downloaded and freely reproduced for use, or items may be adapted to any other surveying method (e.g., telephone, email, or other web-based system).

In this TED talk Ed Ulbrich, the digital-effects guru from Digital Domain, explains the Oscar-winning technology that allowed his team to digitally create the older versions of Brad Pitt's face for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."Incidentally, I loved Brad Pitt's performance, especially the hour or so in the movie when it was embedded in the animated head. Once you view the talk and see how it was created, you will want to go see the movie. Promise.This video is an amazing example of tenacity, innovation, and problem solving. The type of execution that led to the final product made me think about the difference between traditional marketing communications and where marketing communications needs to be next. The old ways would mean the option of applying heavier makeup - let's rewrite the brochure, sell sheet, press release. The new ways are about taking out what is in excess, just like Michelangelo did with a block of marble - agility and expressiveness of content are essential. The new ways are also about understanding what expression to apply when - this system can recreate facial images at a resolution of 200,000 pixels.Just like Digital Domain did, in order to create an action plan for your business, you need to:(1.) Admit you have a problem Having a methodology is a great first step. Especially if you're trying to break new ground. It will be tested by reality. As Ulbrich says, it's not just the special effects or the technology, it's how they...

David Allen talks about ways you can make Facebook and Twitter work for you on the job.

1. See (really see) what's possible 2. Know specifically what you want to achieve 3. Make good decisions 4. Understand the tactics to get things done and to change minds 5. Earn the trust and respect of the people around you

As the use of personal and instructional technology becomes increasingly embedded into day-to-day operations, superintendents need more than ever to be intimately involved in the direction, decisions and deliverables of a school district's technology initiatives.

Great story on CNET. Prez Obama gets to keep his Blackberry. Thank goodness. As far as I am concerned going without a Blackberry would be like trying to quit smoking. Not that I know about the smoking bit - having never started. Am totally addicted to my Blackberry.

In this research, 112 high school principals from throughout the country responded to a structured questionnaire. Results offer a snapshot of current practices. Most schools (84%) have adopted a written cell phone policy. Generally, they either completely ban or conditionally permit cell phone use by students. Violations result in disciplinary actions ranging from a mild reprimand to confiscation. But do students have a right, legally or constitutionally, to carry their cell phones with them in school? No. Is there a rational and measurable educational benefit to student cell phone use in school? No. Do the potential negatives (disrupting others, taking embarrassing pictures, cheating on tests, inappropriate text messaging) clearly outweigh the benefits? Yes. Ironically, however, 24% of schools permit cell phone use by students.

Technology by its very nature will stop working at some point and this often creates an atmosphere of distrust. As the Director of Information and Communication Technologies I very often only hear the complaints and rarely a thank you. My staff works hard every day, which includes typical upgrades, day-to-day fixes, and emergencies. Decisions are made daily that impact how our teachers, staff, administrators, and students use the technology resources that are available in the schools. I think it is in our best interest to be proactive and share the good news and the challenges that are presented through the integration of technology throughout academic and organizational use throughout the school district.

Use these 4-5 minute presentations to quickly gain a better understanding of the variety of tools on the World Wide Web including blogs, social networks, and wikis.

Project Tomorrow and Blackboard released Leadership in the 21st Century: The New Visionary Administrator during a breakfast meeting at the NSBA T+L 2008 ConferenceT+L (Seattle, WA) Wednesday, October 29, 2008. This new report, based on the Speak Up 2007 School Leaders Survey, examines school and district administrators' attitudes about technology and learning. The report highlights several Visionary Administrators who have more in common with students than with fellow administrators in terms of technology use and priorities for technology in instruction. 

The Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute engages Pakistani educators and administrators by developing and honing the leadership skills necessary to direct educational initiatives and effect change in Pakistan.

The Leadership 3.0 Symposium is a collaborative effort of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), Computer Using Educators, Inc. (CUE), Technology Information Center for Administrative Leadership (TICAL). It is truly "for administrators, by administrators." 3 organizations, 1 mission - Educational Leadership for the 21st century.

Have you run across Brain Rules? It's a great book by John Medina that sets out basic rules for surviving and thriving at home, school and work. These rules have some interesting implications for the use of technology in learning. Example: For short term memory, remember to repeat. Repetition is one of the strengths of technology because you can set up a system to repeat concepts many times without getting tired or without getting angry.

How can you overcome the hurdles facing any organization struggling to change: addiction to the status quo, limited resources, demotivated employees, and opposition from powerful vested interests?

People tend to over-value their assets and ignore embarrassing problems. Part of the problem with Wall Street is that corporations still can't bring themselves to admit that most of the fancy derivatives and other so-called assets they are holding are worth virtually nothing. They hang on, claiming their businesses are strong and denying the truth, until it's too late and the crisis threatens to overwhelm them, one by one. It's the same with personal strengths and capabilities: people tend to over-value their abilities and underplay their weaknesses. As a result, they become complacent about what skills and experience they have and what they can achieve with them.

Last night was Family Night at my kids' elementary school. You know, that night when you visit your kid's class with the other parents, learn about the curriculum and teacher expectations for the year, sit in little tiny chairs, etc. Each parent was asked to sign the district's Digital Resources Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for the 2008-2009 school year. Not a single parent read over the AUP; everyone just signed it blindly. Except me, of course. I combed through it because, as a former attorney and technology guy, I want to know what I'm signing on behalf of my fifth-grade daughter.

Creating online communities of customers and workers has been one of the hotter topics in business and technology this year. Whether you're on the business side, in IT, or are just trying to build virtual teams around shared goals, online communities are rapidly becoming a popular way to organize people and accomplish work in a highly collaborative manner.

There is a great deal that leaders can learn from Madonna and her incredible ways, including: How to deal with innovation as fashions and customer demands shift. Effective techniques to reinvent a persona and profile. How to bring a management team along with you, even as you face controversy. How to capitalize on success for the benefit of larger causes.

Some is not a reason to ignore the large-scale, widespread, policy- and practice-level decisions that need to be made to transition our schools into a digital, global society. Some is not permission to stand pat.

The ISTE Classroom Observation Tool (ICOT) is a FREE online tool that provides a set of questions to guide classroom observations of a number of key components of technology integration.