Harnessing Technology for Deeper Learning by Scott McLeod and Julie Graber starts with the fact that schools purchase a lot of technology and then hope for magic to happen. Since magic doesn’t in most schools they invented a practical protocol that teachers can use to help students engage in deeper thinking, do authentic real-world work, have more control and ownership of their learning, and be more involved in communication and collaboration. In addition to the protocol, they give concrete examples of how it can work with real lesson plans. Every school should have copies of this book.

Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times by Eric Sheninger explains how digital leadership is a strategic mindset and set of behaviors that leverage modern technology resources to improve a school’s culture. It will help educational leaders use social media and Web 2.0 tools to engage students, communicate with the community, and improve professional development at no marginal cost.

The Wisdom and Wit of Diane Ravitch – This collection of 97 short essays from 2010 to 2018 offers a look at how her thinking evolved from the test and punish approach of No Child Left Behind to her understanding of how these federal policies pushed by corporate leaders like Bill Gates have had a very negative impact on public schools and students. Here are some of the high points. Be sure to grab a copy for your school’s professional development library. The chapters tend to repeat themselves a bit, but her points are sound.