Technology is an integral part of life in today’s society and the role it plays is only going to continue to grow. Schools are at different points with integrating technology, not only for organizational purposes, but also for taking instruction into the 21st Century. So how are schools responding to these demands and expanding their services to address the need of technology for instructional purposes?
I have recently been introduced to the concept of Enterprise Architecture (EA). So, I am now thinking that this could be the solution to many of the difficulties that schools are facing as they work to find effective and efficient strategies to realize the school’s mission and vision. From my experience and discussions with teachers from other districts, our schools’ technological challenges are very similar. These challenges include, but are not limited to: composition of the IT Department, infrastructure, accessibility, purchasing and maintaining computers and devices, and support and training for users.
So how do we overcome these challenges? EA is a possible solution. I think of EA as the recipe, which lists all the required components, stakeholders and processes that are required for bringing the IT Team and management/administration into a collaborative relationship. After all the ingredients are in place, the strategic planning begins to ensure that the IT Team is now working in isolation and decisions are made together with management/administration, to prevent a “hairball architecture” that is unorganized and not controlled to create one that is robust, flexible and efficient (Weirda). With a strategic plan in place, to monitor and supervise, to ensure that everything and everyone are working as planned is a solution for maximizing resources and expertise to realize our educational goals.
I have recently been introduced to the concept of Enterprise Architecture (EA). So, I am now thinking that this could be the solution to many of the difficulties that schools are facing as they work to find effective and efficient strategies to realize the school’s mission and vision. From my experience and discussions with teachers from other districts, our schools’ technological challenges are very similar. These challenges include, but are not limited to: composition of the IT Department, infrastructure, accessibility, purchasing and maintaining computers and devices, and support and training for users.
So how do we overcome these challenges? EA is a possible solution. I think of EA as the recipe, which lists all the required components, stakeholders and processes that are required for bringing the IT Team and management/administration into a collaborative relationship. After all the ingredients are in place, the strategic planning begins to ensure that the IT Team is now working in isolation and decisions are made together with management/administration, to prevent a “hairball architecture” that is unorganized and not controlled to create one that is robust, flexible and efficient (Weirda). With a strategic plan in place, to monitor and supervise, to ensure that everything and everyone are working as planned is a solution for maximizing resources and expertise to realize our educational goals.