tkt8763-01: The Tell-Tale Sign

["Larry S. Anderson -- NCTP" <lsa1@ra.msstate.edu>]

I know some of you are not going to like this, but.....

Here are the facts...........

It has been my pleasure to work closely with schools around the world in
their technology planning efforts.  What I am going to tell you in this
message might surprise you; it might not.

Having a written technology plan is only one step in the process.

Have a plan BEFORE you write a plan is a very important part of the
process!!  Many entities don't!

But, when you move beyond the physical plan (the "noun" version) and look
at the implementation success of an entity, you begin to understand the
"big picture" more clearly.

So, I offer the following, based solely upon my own personal experience
(which includes talking with thousands of people about their successes and
failures over the past 8-10 years that this whole tech planning thing has
been a passion of mine).

If there were one, single tell-tale sign that a plan (written) is doomed
for failure....that its chances for succeeding are reduced phenomenally,
it's this ---

If you open the plan and find, immediately, a spreadsheet, an equipment
list, a bunch of figures showing money.....that's a sure sign that it's
nothing more than a management tool.  The focus is on "STUFF," not on
learning, people, or community.  This is not just my OPINION; it is based
upon experiences of hundreds of schools and other agencies.

If you find, early in the document, a well-articulated statement of vision
and mission, followed by a careful tribute to the efforts contributed by
the many people necessary in making successful technology integration
possible, that's a winner.  If the proper focus exists early on, the money
and the equipment will take care of itself.

There are too many examples in existence where this is borne out to be
refuted by some of us who have just our "opinions."

So....while I could wax on and on about this (and, surely, I shall!),
suffice it to say that we must beware the document that starts out with
lists of stuff...and reference to money and budgets.  That's like a dagger
in the metaphorical heart of the organization.  It's short-sighted and
less important (which, by the way, is not to say, at all, that is is
UNimportant...it's just LESS important at the early phase).

I welcome any feedback, comments, disagreement, etc., you can provide.
But, here's a hint:  If you disagree, you "ain't gonna win this one!"
I've been down this road so many times, you can't nudge me off in a ditch.
But, I certainly encourage you to try!

Larry S. Anderson, Ed.D.                              LSA1@Ra.MsState.Edu
Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Technology & Education       Voice: (662) 325-2281
Founder, National Center for Technology Planning      Fax: (662) 325-7599
                    Mississippi State University
Chair, Council for Education Technology              State of Mississippi
         My personal home page URL-- http://www2.msstate.edu/~lsa1
                    NCTP web page -- http://www.nctp.com

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