Information and Communication Technology and School Leaders

Bishop, P.F.

In the eleven years since World Conference on Computers in Education 1990, the role of the school principal and other school leaders has changed as has the demand for use of information and communication technologies (ICT). Ten years ago it was commonly accepted that computer use was for the school secretary, for students in some classrooms, but not necessarily for the principal. The principal was often (and possibly still is) the last member of staff to be issued with a computer despite the noted advantages and whilst having the ultimate responsibility of purchasing computer technology for use within classrooms and administrative areas. The vision and management required by any school leader for the purchase of hardware, software, peripherals and infrastructure has meant that enormous amounts of money have been spent with near total reliance on the 'computer expert' on staff. In Australia, it is now commonplace to find a computer on a principal's desk, the computer connected to the Internet, and the principal involved in policy and infrastructure decision making as an informed stakeholder in the outcome. What has happened to bring about this change and how has the role of the principal and school leaders changed as a consequence? This paper is an account of personal experiences and observations of one who has progressed as a computer user, school and professional development leader and principal over the last decade.in Melbourne, Australia.

Cite as: Bishop, P.F. (2002). Information and Communication Technology and School Leaders. In Proc. WCCE2001 Australian Topics: Selected Papers from the Seventh World Conference on Computers in Education, Copenhagen, Denmark. CRPIT, 8. McDougall, A., Murnane, J. and Chambers, D., Eds. ACS. 1-4.

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