Education Law

School IT Departments ... Concerns

As I am working here in KY to modify our schools for the information economy, increasingly I am becoming concerned that school IT departments might be more of the problem than the solution. I know that is heresy (especially given my large IT based readership), but I am starting to really have some concerns. Reading Wes Fryer's excellent post yesterday caused me to want to articulate those concerns.

First, power from the administration is being increasingly delegated to the IT department - because administrators don't understand (or won't bother to learn) the necessary technical information to make what amount to essentially administrative decisions. These IT departments may not view themselves as leaders. They may not take the more legally risky move that has the potential for more educational benefit (think blocking stuff), whereas I have coached my principals to make those moves where ethics outweigh the law. 

Second, the IT departments I have seen are generally not "big picture" departments. They are more concerned about their line items in the budget than the overall budget picture. We can't sacrifice special education funding for a new computer lab - so stop asking. You are not helping the principal or superintendent by requesting outrageous investments. 

Third, they are insulated - and I think intentionally so. They become little fiefdoms - a bit like Oz in the Wizard of Oz. Don't ask me how the network operates ... just respect me because it does operate ... and for the love of God, please don't pull back the curtain.

Fourth, they start to look down/criticize slow adopting teachers. This in turn breeds resentment and then stubbornness. There is just not nearly enough patience. Yes, I know you want to talk about Twitter and personal learning networks, but teachers generally are just beginning to understand blogging. Generally, they are too far ahead.

Fifth, they are geographically isolated. The school I taught in had the IT department in a little corner office off the far end of the library. Unless you knew where to look, you would have never found it. What kind of statement is that? On one hand, we want all the wires in the school to run to it, on the other we don't actually want to see it.

Sixth, they are not professional enough. They dress in jeans, are not clean shaven, don't come to meetings, spend their time on twitter instead of talking face-to-face, etc. And, when you are not professional, you are not part of the larger conversation.

Of course, I think this all adds up to a concern I have more broadly over their attitude. Returning to Wes' post, it is the best intentions gone awry. Generally, I do not question that school IT departments are doing what they think is best for the students and the school. Also, I generally do not question that school IT departments are legitimately trying to be cutting edge and trying to advance their school through technology. They legitimately have the best of intentions - but those good intentions are not translating to systemic reforms. There is plenty of blame to go around and I don't want to assign it all to IT folks, but their insular and "better-than-you" attitudes, their lack of patience and professionalism, their constant pushing toward new technology, it just doesn't translate well. And, while I do think school IT departments are advancing the ball, I think they are advancing it just enough so that everyone else can write off their technological responsibilities. Scott McLeod had a great point yesterday as well, and I invite you to join in the conversation that is currently going on over there in the comments. But, this comic does sum it up pretty well.

Dilbert.com via Dangerously IrrelevantThat's my fundamental concern here. IT Departments, through with the best of intentions, have become a cop out. Schools are not really serious about large scale, systemic, technology-based reforms; they are just serious enough to let someone else worry about it for them, though. And, as long as IT departments continue to be that responsibility write-off, I don't think we can ever get to systemic changes to reorient our schools to the new economy. 

Full post as published by Edjurist on November 17, 2009 (boomark / email).