Low tech...bad tech...

Does effective technology leadership of administrators have an impact on school culture and teachers’ perceptions of effective technology initiative implementation?

Yes. Though I would add that ineffective technology leadership also has an impact.

Effective leadership of administrators, by definition, has an impact. When leaders are able to effectively communicate, inform, and persuade teachers about technology, teachers are more likely to perceive the particular technology as being worthwhile resulting in a better implementation rate. Whenever administrators attempt to adopt a new technology initiative, there are immediate barriers. First, people (in general and this does include teachers) are reluctant to change. Third year teacher Susie may think to herself "What I'm doing right now already works well. And I haven't been here long enough to change anything. I still need to see how what I'm doing is going." Second, instructors may have initiative fatigue. Bob, who has been at the same school for fifteen years may be thinking, "You know, every year or so someone else has a bright idea of using some new 'thing' and it's going to revolutionize everything. Hasn't happened yet and I don't see any reason to change that opinion. " Third, others may have trepidation about technology, especially if it's new. That might generate comments like "I just got the hang of Excel. I can't possibly start learning something else right now."

Effective leadership, however, is going to be intelligent enough to understand that a certain amount of resistance is to be expected. An experienced leader will be able to address some of these concerns before they can spread to other faculty. An experienced leader will know to seek out influential campus folk and enlist them as spokespeople for the benefits of the new initiative. An experienced leader will know resources may have to be made available - for example, training sessions. A concerted, effective effort by leaders can change the dialog and perceptions of the teachers from something that is going to take time and effort, isn't worth doing to begin with, and make it "I understand the value and importance of this initiative. It may take some work, but I believe it is worth it".