The use of distance technology in educational leadership preparation programs

Abstract

Purpose – As the number of internet users has increased, universities have begun to rely more heavily on technology in the delivery of course content and instruction. The use of distance technology has been purported to have the potential to lead the way in developing more competent technology leaders in schools as well as reforming leadership preparation and reaching a more inclusive population of administrator aspirants. The paper aims to focus on the issues involved.Design/methodology/approach – An exploratory study of how 49 higher education institutions in the USA utilize distance technology in the preparation of educational leaders is reported. Descriptive statistics, including both categorical scales and continuous scales, were collected from the survey designed and are used to indicate how and why technology was used in program delivery.Findings – Findings are grouped according to the following themes: overall program structures; types of distance technology; goals for the use of distance technolo...