Challenges school principals facing in the context of technology leadership

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the challenges school principals facing in the context of technology leadership. This is a qualitative case study guided by the National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators (NETS*A). Six elementary school principals working in a large city in southeastern Turkey participated into the study. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews via a semi-structured interview protocol. The data collection tool was developed through pilot studies based on expert opinions. The data were analyzed through a thematic approach and validity and reliability were investigated via peer-review, member checking, and inter-coder reliability processes. The findings show that in assuming their roles as technology leaders school principals face various challenges, including bureaucracy, lack of resources, resistance to innovation, lack of in-service training, and poverty. Based on the findings, various measures are recommended to diminish bureaucratic obstacles and organize sustainable in-service training activities in order to overcome the challenges that school principals are facing in the context of technology leadership.