The Evolving Role of School-Based Technology Coordinators in Elementary Programs.

While much has been written about the potential of computers to enhance teaching and learning,a wide range of research studies and reports suggest that K-12 schools are not fully realizing thepotential of new information technologies. One recent report suggests that while technologyimplementation in education is improving, only 24% of schools are using computers effectively(CEO Forum, 1999). Commonly cited reasons include inadequate computer resources, lack ofteacher preparation, lack of planning time, and lack of on-site support (CEO Forum, 1999;National Center for Education Statistics, 2000; Ronnkvist, Dexter, & Anderson, 2000; U.S.Congress. 1995). Several studies (Evans-Andris, 1995; Marcovitz, 1998; Moallen & Micallef,1997; Ronnkvist, Dexter, & Anderson, 2000; Strudler, 1995-96, Strudler & Gall, 1988) havedocumented ways in which effective technology coordinators have helped schools to overcomethese impediments to computer implementation. Despite clear evidence supporting the need forsuch positions, however, most school districts have been hard pressed to allocate funds on a large-scale to support released-time technology coordinators (Ronnkvist, Dexter, & Anderson, 2000).In 1997, the Clark County School District (CCSD) in Las Vegas, NV approved a plan to providereleased-time coordinators to facilitate technology integration in all of its K-12 schools. This paperdocuments the implementation of that plan in CCSD's elementary school programs. It begins withsome background information, followed by a description of the study, the results obtained thus far,and a discussion of the findings and their implications for practice.It is hoped that this research will provide increased understanding of the long-term problemsinvolved in integrating technology in schools as well as effective strategies for overcoming theseproblems. Furthermore, its findings may help technology coordinators be more effective as agentsof change and enable their supervisors to provide better guidance and support.