NSBA-"Explore ways in which [you] could use social networking for educational purposes"

Kudos to the NSBA for a forthcoming report that urges schools to relax restrictions on the use social networking technologies at schools.

It's about time that educational policymakers (and politicians) recognize that these technologies are important tools for differentiating instruction, engaging students, and developing important new (and old) literacy skills.

Handhelds and administrators

The University of Southern Mississippi has been a pioneer in the field of using handhelds for administrative leadership. Each year they host a School Leadership Institute for building-level administrators. One part of that institute focuses on using handhelds as a tool for time management, classroom observation, student records management, and other tasks.

Drs. Ronald Styron and Kyna Shelley are now conducting a research study on handheld use by school administrators.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate school leaders' opinions about and their use of personal digital assistants or handheld computers. There is some research to suggest that PDA's are viewed as making the job of school leader a more efficient undertaking. Likewise, efficient and effective leadership has been associated with stronger school performance.

If you are a K-12 school administrator and use a handheld, they need your input for this research. The survey is online and should only take about 10 minutes to complete.

Thanks in advance for your valuable assistance.