Slide 1:School Culture and Technology: Connecting the Pieces Anna Gilbert CI - 5585 Fall 2007


Slide 2:School culture is norms developed over time based on: Shared attitudes Values Beliefs Expectations Relationship Traditions of a school The norms of a school are what impact the way things operate. What is school culture?


Slide 3:School culture (also referred to as school climate) is driven by and reflected in the daily interactions of staff, administration, students, support staff, and the outside community. Who affects school culture? School culture can be described a mainstream (assessment driven) or transformative (student driven) depending on the norms of those affecting school culture.


What does School Culture impact? :What does School Culture impact? Student Learning School Achievement School Reform There is an impact of school culture on:


Slide 5:Having a Positive Transformative School Culture The following are traits that a positive transformative school should embody: Mission IS about student and teacher learning Rich sense of history and purpose Core values of collegiality, performance, and improvement centered around quality, achievement, and learning for ALL students Positive and proactive approaches for staff and students Openness to celebrate successes and reflect on challenges Widespread sense of respect and nurturing for others


Slide 6:How does School Culture affect Technology? School culture connects school beliefs to the daily teachings in the classroom by the teachers. When examining teaching in school, use of technology usually lacks of impact on the day-to-day values and practices of teachers, administrators, and students.


Slide 7:Why is technology not being used? It is not that the technology resources are lacking in schools, it is that the tools are not being used effectively to promote student growth. The school culture has not fully opened to the idea of using technology to its full potential in the classroom to help student achievement. Classroom teachers are unsure of the availability of resources provided by technology and are not trained in new concepts provided by technology.


Slide 8:How can School Culture Accept technology? In order for school culture to fully accept technology as a day-to-day teaching tool, it needs to: Have open discussion with personnel about challenges or discoveries using technology On going training in effective teaching practices to implement technology Research to back up that implementing technologies helps in meeting students needs Technology is a tool that can help school culture grow in a new direction if effectively used.


Slide 9:Why Is School Culture Important? What research tells us: “Positive learning can only take place in a positive culture. A healthy school culture will affect more student and teacher success than any other reform or school improvement effort currently being employed.” -Gary Phillips


Slide 10:Changes Made After Reading Articles After reading “Transformative School Culture” (Chapter 5) by Henderson and Hawthorne and “The Culture Builder” by Barth, I revised by PowerPoint by: I added relationships to the list of norms that create school culture. I realized how interactions with colleagues can affect our attitude toward school (example: Sara’s old colleagues complaining versus the new challenging her to think). I also changed slide 5 from showing general topics covered by school culture to showing positive aspects of a transformative school culture. I changed this due to understanding how a school with a transformative culture will grow more than a school with a toxic culture in the long run. Finally, on slide 8 I added the word “open” when talking about discussions because conversations can take place between personnel but unless they are open and honest no positive change can take place (the elephant will still be in the room).