- Review
- Review the district school board’s policies and procedures regarding
computers, information technology, software, school websites, student/staff use
of the Internet and other related issues.
- Review relevant school policies and procedures and the school’s information
and communication technology plan. Are they aligned with board policies?
- Prepare
- Become familiar with your own computer in your new office. Get ALL the
passwords you need and keep records of them in a safe place. Change
personal passwords as appropriate.
- If you are new to the email system (e.g. FirstClass Client, GroupWise), arrange
to learn how to use it immediately. (See chapter on Communication for Tips for
Communicating by Email for more information.)
- Learn how to use other features of your office computer; for example,
scheduling meetings in your electronic calendar and setting the meeting
notifier alarm.
- Know how to use all aspects of the public address system effectively.
- Meet
- Meet board allocated technology support people. Call and introduce yourself
before you need to make that first urgent call for help. If you are new to the
board, arrange to meet with an experienced principal to discuss technology
issues in the local schools.
- Plan a meeting with your office coordinator. Discuss the use of computers and
technology in the office. Who is responsible for administrative tasks (e.g.
attendance, budget)?
- Spend time with the computer/technology contact teacher. Discuss the use of
technology at the school. Identify past successes, current priorities, emerging
issues and future concerns. Take a tour for a guided overview of the use of
technology in the school.
Familiarize yourself as quickly as possible with the technology in the school as it relates to:
- you
- the staff and the students
- the parents and the broader community.
For further information refer to Ontario’s School Effectiveness Framework at
www.edu.gov.on.ca