The role of the Chief Technology Officer, or CTO, has evolved over the last 2 decades. As school districts have wanted to focus on making more efficient and strategic decisions with technology, and the role of technology, the CTO has taken on more responsibility. Previously, the CTO was more focused on the nuts and bolts of the technology that the district owned. They were not part of the decision making process with regards to staff or technology. Now, they have moved to being part of the superintendent's cabinet and focusing on how technology can be used to further district goals and initiatives (Dessoff, 2011). Now, the CTO is part of meetings when teachers and administrators want to adopt a new piece of technology, whether it be software or hardware. CTOs are bridging the gap between the technology department and academics (Dessoff, 2011). Because of this change, the CTO has to be adept with communicating the technical aspect of software/hardware, but also the instructional benefits of incorporating the software/hardware.
In West Aurora District 129, this idea of strategic and efficient spending on technology is becoming more evident. When the technology pilot was first started three years ago, teachers had to have research backed ideas on how they were going to improve learning in the classrooms with technology. As the pilot has grown, district administration has continued to ask the same question; "How is this going to improve student learning?" Our Director of Technology (same role as CTO) has consistently been in meetings bridging the gap between administration and teachers, curriculum and technology. Our Director of Technology has done well to ask for feedback from teachers, but has focused only on technology-literate staff. CTOs/Directors of Technology should try to get feedback from all teachers.
Dessoff, A. (2011). The Changing Role of the CTO. District Administration, 47(6), 44-50.
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