Leading 21st-Century Schools: Harnessing Technology for Engagement and Achievement [Paperback]

Lynne Schrum (Author), Barbara B. Levin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 2009 | ISBN-10: 1412972957 | ISBN-13: 978-1412972956

Aligned to the ISTE NETS standards for administrators, this guide provides an actionable plan for integrating new technology into teaching and learning and realizing measurable improvement.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This well-written, well-organized, and relevant text provides a wonderful resource for novice or experienced administrators who are ready to jump into the 21st century with their students and schools. The text handles all key aspects of understanding the role and relevance of technology in today’s schools as well as planning for future integration. What better way to usher in a 21st century schools initiative than with the sharing of this valuable resource." (Jill M. Gildea, Superintendent 20090605)

"If you’ve never heard of ‘nings,’ ‘voice-threads’, ‘TeacherTube’ or ‘MERLOT’, you’re missing out on the latest-greatest opportunities to advance student learning in your classroom. This book is a MUST for teachers and administrators who are advancing and integrating technology in the classroom." (Bruce Haddix, Principal 20090605)

"In the fast-paced, ever-changing world of technology, educational leaders need to know and understand the skills necessary to survive in 21st-century schools. This book is a must-read for every school-based administrator." (Pam Quebodeaux, Principal 20090605)

"If you think you are already using technology in your school, read this book! It is loaded with great ideas and strategies that can be implemented right away." (Beth Madison, Principal 20090605)

"A must read for all administrators who are leading their schools into the 21st century. This guide will provide practical strategies for leading the way in changing our classrooms to prepare our students for a 'Techy Future.'" (Pamela Maxwell, Principal 20090605)

"This is a compelling book and a must-read for any current or would-be administrator who is going to serve in a 21st-century school. It will not only assist us in understanding our students, but help us in meeting the baseline operational expectations we have from both our students and staff." (Rick Miller, Superintendent 20090605)

"This book addresses a timely and important topic. While some school administrators embrace technology and make its productive use a focus, others are so swamped with a multitude of responsibilities they do not have the time to immerse themselves in all the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. This book will be a valuable reference for busy school administrators and anyone interested in learning how use technology as a genuine tool for learning." (Jeannine S. Tate, Director of Field Relations and Undergraduate Studies in Education 20090605)

About the Author

Lynne Schrum is Dean of the College of Human Resources and Education at West Virginia University. Previously, she was a professor and coordinator of elementary education in the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. Her research and teaching focus on preparing teachers for the 21st century, appropriate uses of information technology, and leadership in a digital world. She has written eleven books and numerous articles on these subjects; the most recent is How 2, Web 2: How to for Educators. Schrum served on AERA’s Council, was editor of the Journal of Research on Technology in Education (JRTE) (2002-2012), and is a past-president of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

Barbara B. Levin is a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). Her research interests include studying teachers’ pedagogical beliefs and the development of teacher thinking across the career span, integrating technology into the K–16 curriculum, and using case-based pedagogies and problem-based learning in teacher education. Levin is an associate editor of Teacher Education Quarterly and has authored or coauthored numerous journal articles and three books, including Who Learns What From Cases and How? The Research Base on Teaching With Cases (1999), Energizing Teacher Education and Professional Development With Problem-Based Learning (2001), and Case Studies of Teacher Development: An In-Depth Look at How Thinking About Pedagogy Develops Over Time (2003). Levin completed a PhD in educational psychology at the University of California at Berkeley in 1993. Prior to that, she taught elementary school students and was a computer specialist for 17 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Corwin (August 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412972957
• ISBN-13: 978-1412972956
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.7 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lynne Schrum is a Professor and Coordinator of Elementary and Secondary Education in the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. Her research and teaching focus on appropriate uses of information technology, online and distance learning, and preparing teachers for the 21st century. She has written five books and numerous articles on these subjects; the most recent two are New Tools, New Schools: Getting Started with Web 2.0 and Leading a 21st century school: Harnessing technology for engagement and achievement. Lynne is currently on AERA's Council, editor of the Journal of Research on Technology in Education (JRTE) (2002-2011) and is a past-president of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). More information can be found at:
http://mason.gmu.edu/~lschrum

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Leading 21st Century Schools March 9, 2010

By M. Feit

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I read this book for as required reading for an Instructional Technology Leadership graduate class that I am enrolled in. As a future elementary special education teacher, this is not a book that I would typically seek out. However, I think this book is possibly more useful for an individual like myself, than someone who is already a technology leader or the educator with a technologically oriented mindset. The book is well organized and easily accessable even for someone like myself with limited tehcnological expertise.

The book is divided into three sections. The first section is dedicated to presenting information on why it is so important to move towards a more technologically focused education system. The second section concentrates on what can and should be included in this new vision of education. This section strongly emphasises the great potential that the Web 2.0 tools has for educators and students. The final section presents topics relating to the practical considerations involved in being a leader int the 21st Century school.

The book makes a strong case for the importance of changing the focus of the traditional school to include 21st Century skills and technologies. More importantly, the book includes tools, and several real examples to assist the educators who want to play a part in leading their schools in this direction. I often felt mildly inspired and strongly motivated by the examples that the authors presented. I found my mind racing to find ways to implement the tools and strategies in a special education setting. I look forward to using this information in my education career.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A good resource for educators and school leaders who want to integrate technology into the school setting. March 2, 2010

By M. C. BUSTAMANTE

Format:Paperback

Leading 21st Century Schools: Harnessing Technology for Engagement and Achievement. Lynne Schrum & Barbara B. Levin. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2009. 232 pages.

The book Leading 21st Century Schools: Harnessing Technology for Engagement and Achievement, by Lynne Schrum and Barbara Levin, is a good resource for educators and school leaders who want to integrate technology into the school setting, following the lines of the National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators. The authors clearly describe and explain the use of Web 2.0 tools for administrative tasks, as well as for teachers and students. Strategies for several content areas specifically within the K-12 curriculum are provided. At the end of each chapter, there is a useful set of activities to consider using within the school and materials to consult online to expand upon the different topics. Also, at the end of the book there is a complete glossary of technological terms and a list of Web 2.0 tools and online resources classified by content area. The authors focus on collaborative, communicative, and creative skills through the use of online tools and provide an overview of legal and ethical issues such as copyright or fair use, as well as safety considerations.

Technological issues and terms are explained in a simple language, so the text is easy to read. I would recommend this book to educators that are not familiar with technology. I enjoyed reading about several different aspects of technology within the educational setting. Even though the strategies for effective use of technology within the diverse content areas are K-12 oriented, I believe this is a good resource as well for a college faculty. Since evidence from research is presented with references throughout the book, this is a source that I would also recommend to graduate students of instructional technology.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Resources, Easy Read March 10, 2013

By Sam Towne

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you were looking for some technological resources as a teacher, this book is a real help. Each chapter brings new, practical uses and resources that can be integrated into a classroom today if you wanted to. At the end of each chapter, there are activities and resources that help you implement or critically think about what the chapter had presented. Not only is this book geared toward teachers and what technology can do for them in the classroom, but also for administrators. I would recommend this book for all teachers, as it can only help you improve your teaching strategies in the classroom. The only part that I worry about with this book is how long it will be relevant. I am sure ti will be for a good amount of time but with how fast technology advances, some of what is brought up in the book could become dated.