The importance of administrative support

I can't stress enough how important it is to get the support of your principal and tech department BEFORE you begin a project that involves the use of computers or other technology.

I had a phone call this morning from a teacher who is excited about doing a digital storytelling project with several of her classes. Well, the school's computers are set up to re-image themselves every time they are powered up-- consequently, the software and the student project files would be deleted.

Because digital video is involved, the project files and raw video would require MASSIVE amounts of space, so CDs or flash drives, or even a network folder are not an option.

There may be similar hurdles in place in your district. Get the support of your principal BEFORE you begin a project. Tell your principal what you want to do, why you want to do it, and maybe even show them a finished project of your own or from the web. Talk about student motivation, and audience, and WRITING, and standards and benchmarks-- show some real passion about what you're planning to do-- and, with the principal's blessing and support, perhaps it will be easier to get the cooperation of the tech department in removing some of the barriers. But no guarantees. After all, there are viruses, and spyware and all kinds of nasty things out there that students just might possibly potentially bring down upon the school's network. It happens!

Good luck!