Unit 10

1. Give a brief overview of the information you found on these sites.
While both of the websites focused on technology in education, there was defintely a difference in the content of information each site provided.  The first site (AASA) seemed to really focus on a wide variety of different topics facing education far beyond just the scope of technology.  AASA has a really wide variety of weblinks which can give school leaders information and statistics on virtually every topic facing public education today from balanced calendars to school improvement to grants and funding. 

The CASTLE website, while still very interesting, was probably a little more philosphical in nature with less of a focus on what may be conventionally considered the "nuts and bolts" of a school leaders job.  However, a significant part of a successful school leader is to be a visionary and stay on the cutting edge of research and societal trends that affect education.  There is no question that each of these sites fill a very important niche in the toolkit of a district leader.

2. What information will be most useful to you as a school leader?
While both websites have a plethora of useful information, I really appreciated the wide spectrum of information provided in the AASA site.  Along with all of the information that the website provides just in itself, the weblinks are outstanding "quick find" resources for any number of pertinant issues facing superintendents.  For me personally, I really spent a lot of time following the weblink on balanced school calanders.  While there is no shortage of "major" issues facing us in public education today, I do believe that the move away from the 200+ year agrarian calendar is a critical move in the right direction, especially as we attempt to meet the needs of our most at-risk populations.  This move is going to require a tremendous amount of education for the general public as sacrificing the conventional summer break will be a very difficult and bitter pill for many to swallow.