"The greatest challenge we face with ed tech and with evolving education is human," said Keith Krueger, chief executive officer of the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), at the group's 13th annual K-12 School Networking Conference in Arlington, Va., earlier this month.

Krueger was referring to the importance of innovation, teamwork, and strong leadership in achieving successful school technology programs--and this theme was repeated throughout the three-day event, held March 10-12.

As highlighted by many conference speakers and sessions, successful 21st-century school programs must be engaging to students, must be assessed properly and adequately, and must be championed by knowledgeable staff.

The conference kicked off March 10 with a look at one district in particular whose ed-tech programs reflect these characteristics.

"It truly takes a knowledgeable team to do what we've accomplished," said Jennifer Bergland, chief technology officer for the Bryan Independent School District in Texas. Bergland's district received CoSN's TEAM Award for exemplary leadership in educational technology.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to highlight the outstanding work of the technology team at Bryan ISD," said Krueger in presenting the award. "What began as a small-scale initiative a decade ago has grown into an innovative, district-wide team effort that has significantly transformed the way the district operates. From using technology to enhance classroom instruction and learning to streamlining administrative functions, Bryan exemplifies the meaning of teamwork."

A key factor in Bryan ISD's success is coordination and cooperation from administrators at the top all the way down to the classroom implementation level. Anecdotally, school leaders note that the district's technology programs have helped to boost student achievement, as students are more engaged in learning, spend more time on tasks, and there is a reduced need for external discipline.

"We are fortunate to have a visionary team of technology specialists who recognize that today's students are bright, inquisitive, and ready to be challenged," said Mike Cargill, the district's superintendent. "It is important for us to create an environment in which students and staff can readily access information. As educators, it is an exciting challenge to stay abreast of advances in technology."

Seven key habits

The leadership theme continued in a session titled "Seven Habits of a Highly Effective School Chief Technology Officer." During this session, Ed Zaiontz, executive director of information services for the RoundRockIndependentSchool District in Texas, and Leo Brehm, director of technology for the SharonPublic Schools in Sharon, Mass., told the audience that being an effective school CTO begins with a passion for the job-and continues with the adoption of several key habits.

"In this job, you have to produce results and create value," said Zaiontz. "Besides providing leadership and vision, a customer-focused business mind, and a knack for planning and budgeting, you have to also take charge of process management."

For Zaiontz, process management includes everything from running communications and IT systems, to education, training, and implementing ethics and policies.

"On top of all that, you have to know how to build an effective team and staff," said Zaiontz.

Although a good CTO has to manage and lead a successful team, he said, there are some measures to keep in mind during operation:

* Use data-driven decision-making skills.

* Produce results ... and create value.

* Always keep the focus on students and instruction.

* Remember that plans and policies need continuous improvement.

* Manage for innovation, not what you already have in place.

* Be flexible and adaptable.

Brehm told the audience that he prepared a list of qualities and states of mind that every school district CTO should try to master, in order to "not only make operation run more smoothly, but also inspire educators to embrace technology."

For Brehm, success comes from adopting seven habits:

1. Know your own personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as your schools'.
2. Say "yes" often--otherwise, educators and other leaders will be hesitant to come to you with another new idea. If you can't say "yes," then at least try to say "no, you can't do that, but try this instead."
3. Plan for the ever-changing plan. "Right now, our newest plan is two weeks old, but it's been two days since I've checked ... it's probably changed already," said Brehm.
4. Keep the larger vision in mind. For example, don't automatically think every child should have a laptop, because not only is this too expensive for most schools, but it will probably be replaced with a lightweight, cheap, handheld device, like a modified iPhone.
5. Communicate a consistent message. Do this by sending newsletters or eMail messages to staff and colleagues to let them know you're still on course and still have an optimistic view of the situation.
6. Offer effective and consistent IT support.
7. Embrace your role as the change-maker. Understand that your role is not to keep what's already in place functioning, it's to make things even more efficient.

"Being a successful CTO is being able to balance the curriculum and the technical side. Without the technical aspect of what can realistically be implemented, it will never enter curriculum effectively. However, if you never try to implement new tech strategies into the curriculum, new skills won't be learned for the 21st century," concluded Brehm.