QUESTION

Problem solving lies at the heart of educational administration. Daily, problematic situations, emerging from the complex and unpredictable nature of the school environment (e.g. Greenfield, 1995), compel school leaders to create solutions. As problem solvers, educational administrators must gather, make sense of, and communicate information. Computer technology offers educational problem solvers quick access to data and the tools with which to retrieve, manage, and report it. Telecommunication networks link inquiring administrators to rich sources of problem applicable information, and word processing and electronic mail enhance the quality and timeliness of written communication. Yet, while scholars suggest that school administrators recognize the computer's potential to support their practices, they also acknowledge that few administrators possess the competence or capacity to effectively utilize digital technology.

1. Explain, using a concrete example how telecommunication networks can help educational administrators in their work.

2. Discuss the major constraints managers face in the use of digital technology.