Our Tech Coordinator has been out for the past 2 weeks and when I inquired with administration, they were not aware of a technology plan. I will have to further investigate after the break and hope she is back in school. I am sure that we have one as I know we do receive E-rate funding. I took the time to look over Mount Carmel Area's Technology Plan. Looking at the parts of a technology plan, the Mount Carmel Area Technology Plan is very thorough. The first part includes a mission, vision and shared values. This part of the plan unites the entire district as one in the vision of 21st century skills. It states the beliefs and expectations of teachers, students, administration and parents. It encompasses the vision and values that those in the district will meet in the 21st century. These parts of the plan give the district a common vision and a pathway in which to achieve that vision. This is very important for the district in that all faculty are aware of the expectations of implementing technology into the district. All faculty must be on board and ready to fulfill the vision and mission of the plan in order to best prepare the students for the 21st century workplace.
The next part of the plan covers a needs assessment, goals and strategies, and staff development. This part of the plan is the extremely important as it identifies and targets specific needs within the district. A needs assessment survey will give the plan direction and focus. The goals and strategies are specifically written from the results of the needs assessment. Mount Carmel's plan is broken down into specific areas that are in need of improvement. Each area is then broken into a goal and strategy which includes a list of activities, descriptions and resources. The staff development part of the plan lists the commitment made by the district to continue to provide professional development for it's staff. This seems to be the part of many plans that is overlooked. With so many other required professional development topics (ie., special education and state standards), technology sometimes gets put on the back burner.
The final part of the plan includes the budget, monitoring and evaluation. The budget is broken down by each of the goals set in the above section of goals and strategies in the Mount Carmel Technology Plan. This plan is very specific as to the goal, year and cost, and funding sources. The monitoring aspect of the plan gives the district time to see exactly how things are working as they progress through the plan. Finally, the evaluation allows for each aspect of the plan to be monitored and the information used in future planning.
The overall purpose of a Technology Plan is to give the district a plan to ensure that it's expenditures on technology have the impact for students, teachers and staff that is intended. Technology is a very expensive and yet important part of any district so it is only common sense that the district would want to protect it's investments. I feel that it is not only important for a district to have a plan but to also share that plan with it's stake holders. How can one meet the goals of a plan if not everyone is aware of and on board with the plan?
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Bog Asssignment 4 - Chapter 4
Until last year, Shenandoah Valley School District did have shared storage on our network. However the server went down for good and when it was all fixed, the shared storage was never put back in place. So anything you had on the shared storage that was not backed up was lost. The website and the yearbook monitors were most affected although many teachers are very disappointed that this storage is no longer available. For those who are not 21st century tech savvy, this was a great solution however I never really used it. I prefer to keep things more online using google docs, wikis or other programs so that students have work available to them where ever they have internet access. Now that our server storage is gone, more teachers are willing to accept training on 21st century alternatives. As a CFF coach this was awesome! I was able to open many doors and provide needed assistance and training.
Before reading Chp 4, I was familiar with Acceptable Use Policies. I did sign one when I signed my contract at SV. I have never been responsible for collecting them. Our students, faculty, staff and even guests are required to sign them. I do not feel that they are enforced throughout the school. As the new website master, I have found that many students are using the internet without having simple internet/photo permission slips signed. This leads me to believe that many students do not have the AUP signed either.
Our district currently use Microsoft Outlook email system. I use it both at home and at school. I find having my email available both at home and at school is extremely beneficial. I am responsible for CFF, tutoring and now the district website. My email allows me a secure way to communicate with others both at home and at school since all other webmail programs are blocked at school.
Overall from this chapter I have learned that the tech coordinator has yet one more responsibility; AUP's. Tech coordinator's must establish network management plans and procedures that are well planned and monitored. They are responsible to assure that all administration, faculty, staff and students have the resources available to them to work and learn anywhere in the school. With so many things that can go wrong, dealing with AUP's is just another task the tech coordinator must monitor.
Before reading Chp 4, I was familiar with Acceptable Use Policies. I did sign one when I signed my contract at SV. I have never been responsible for collecting them. Our students, faculty, staff and even guests are required to sign them. I do not feel that they are enforced throughout the school. As the new website master, I have found that many students are using the internet without having simple internet/photo permission slips signed. This leads me to believe that many students do not have the AUP signed either.
Our district currently use Microsoft Outlook email system. I use it both at home and at school. I find having my email available both at home and at school is extremely beneficial. I am responsible for CFF, tutoring and now the district website. My email allows me a secure way to communicate with others both at home and at school since all other webmail programs are blocked at school.
Overall from this chapter I have learned that the tech coordinator has yet one more responsibility; AUP's. Tech coordinator's must establish network management plans and procedures that are well planned and monitored. They are responsible to assure that all administration, faculty, staff and students have the resources available to them to work and learn anywhere in the school. With so many things that can go wrong, dealing with AUP's is just another task the tech coordinator must monitor.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Blog Assignment 3 - Desktop Support
Prior to reading the chapter, whenever I thought of desktop support I always thought of a help desk that you can call into for help when something goes wrong. I was surprised to find it is so much more! Some of the things that are included in desktop support and that are important for me to know are things such as the purchasing and allocation of equipment, ergonomics and the process of equipment repairs and work orders. There are a great many details that go into a tech coordinator's job that I was very unaware of or simply overlooked. As a teacher, I guess I am a bit greedy and get excited at new technologies. I now find myself very selfish and demanding. This chapter has given me the insight to truly understand my tech coordinator's thinking a lot more than I did!
There were three things I chose that to me were important to learn. First, the purchasing and allocation of equipment. I was unaware of what the bid process looked like so to see an example was eye opening. The ideas of pre-installing software, factory-refurbished equipment, off-lease equipment will help a district save money. I was unaware that there were so many ways to save and how detailed the process was. The second topic that is important to me is ergonomics. I know that I myself want to be comfortable and safe when using equipment but never thought of it as the tech coordinator's job. Close attention to the details of ergonomics will allow your staff and students to work and learn more effectively. The third topic is the process of equipment repairs and work orders. The most important part of this I found to be the tracking and documentation systems. I was unaware of how important this information is. It can be used to determine the efficiency of a department as well as during the process of purchasing new equipment.
The proper licensing of software is very important for any district. I was aware of the need for proper use and application of software but unaware that there were so many options for the purchase of the software. Having the same basic software available on all computers in the district is important so that you can go to any computer and be able to utilize the same basic programs. However, each department may need additional programs that will allow them to perform their job more efficiently. Another important aspect of this is the updating of software versions. I was interested in the ZENworks software program that eases the time consuming task of software updates. I feel that this type of program would allow a tech coordinator the eyes to see the immediate needs of the updates in one report rather than having to go to each lab/computer separately.
As far as security threats goes, I was not surprised by anything in this section. I am well aware of the need for a first line defense and the need for monitoring and updating this defense system. I feel that one of the most important things in this section is the training of the users in following proper procedures. This will give the tech coordinator an extra set of eyes should something start to go wrong. It is important for users to be aware of the threats and procedures for dealing with these threats so that they better understand what to look for. In addition, it will help them better understand the job of the tech coordinator and reduce tension that sometimes arises.
In my current position as CFF Coach and math teacher, I will be able to explain the job and responsibilities of the tech coordinator to other staff. This may reduce the tension that occurs with a one person, K to 12, part time tech department. I feel that many teachers don't even bother anymore because there is such tension between the two. It is important for them to understand the overwhelming tasks of the tech coordinator and the need to follow procedures that are in place. I feel that this chapter has given me a more informed position as both a teacher and a CFF Coach. I can now sit down with the tech coordinator when I find a software to purchase or an educational site to unblock and I will be prepared to properly state my case as to why it is important to purchase or unblock a specific educational site. I am now aware of the need for bids and can have the cost information already available. I am also aware of the need to identify the use of the software and its value in our setting. I feel that this chapter has given me much more insight into the tasks preformed by our tech coordinator and will ultimately give me more understanding and patience with her procedures.
There were three things I chose that to me were important to learn. First, the purchasing and allocation of equipment. I was unaware of what the bid process looked like so to see an example was eye opening. The ideas of pre-installing software, factory-refurbished equipment, off-lease equipment will help a district save money. I was unaware that there were so many ways to save and how detailed the process was. The second topic that is important to me is ergonomics. I know that I myself want to be comfortable and safe when using equipment but never thought of it as the tech coordinator's job. Close attention to the details of ergonomics will allow your staff and students to work and learn more effectively. The third topic is the process of equipment repairs and work orders. The most important part of this I found to be the tracking and documentation systems. I was unaware of how important this information is. It can be used to determine the efficiency of a department as well as during the process of purchasing new equipment.
The proper licensing of software is very important for any district. I was aware of the need for proper use and application of software but unaware that there were so many options for the purchase of the software. Having the same basic software available on all computers in the district is important so that you can go to any computer and be able to utilize the same basic programs. However, each department may need additional programs that will allow them to perform their job more efficiently. Another important aspect of this is the updating of software versions. I was interested in the ZENworks software program that eases the time consuming task of software updates. I feel that this type of program would allow a tech coordinator the eyes to see the immediate needs of the updates in one report rather than having to go to each lab/computer separately.
As far as security threats goes, I was not surprised by anything in this section. I am well aware of the need for a first line defense and the need for monitoring and updating this defense system. I feel that one of the most important things in this section is the training of the users in following proper procedures. This will give the tech coordinator an extra set of eyes should something start to go wrong. It is important for users to be aware of the threats and procedures for dealing with these threats so that they better understand what to look for. In addition, it will help them better understand the job of the tech coordinator and reduce tension that sometimes arises.
In my current position as CFF Coach and math teacher, I will be able to explain the job and responsibilities of the tech coordinator to other staff. This may reduce the tension that occurs with a one person, K to 12, part time tech department. I feel that many teachers don't even bother anymore because there is such tension between the two. It is important for them to understand the overwhelming tasks of the tech coordinator and the need to follow procedures that are in place. I feel that this chapter has given me a more informed position as both a teacher and a CFF Coach. I can now sit down with the tech coordinator when I find a software to purchase or an educational site to unblock and I will be prepared to properly state my case as to why it is important to purchase or unblock a specific educational site. I am now aware of the need for bids and can have the cost information already available. I am also aware of the need to identify the use of the software and its value in our setting. I feel that this chapter has given me much more insight into the tasks preformed by our tech coordinator and will ultimately give me more understanding and patience with her procedures.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Assignment 2 -Software Selection Form
Currently our district does not use a software selection form. With a one person tech department who is overworked, this type of form is seen to be time consuming. After looking over the form and reading about it's benefits, I do feel strongly that it would be beneficial to take the time and complete the form. This form would allow our tech coordinator to organize the purchases made for the district. It would keep administration and the school board well informed and also give them an idea of how and why the software is necessary. Finally, after filling out a form, the tech coordinator may see something that is missing and may decide to continue looking for a more suitable product which in the end would greatly benefit the district and it's employees.
Assignment 2 -Software Selection Form
Currently our district does not use a software selection form. With a one person tech department who is overworked, this type of form is seen to be time consuming. After looking over the form and reading about it's benefits, I do feel strongly that it would be beneficial to take the time and complete the form. This form would allow our tech coordinator to organize the purchases made for the district. It would keep administration and the school board well informed and also give them an idea of how and why the software is necessary. Finally, after filling out a form, the tech coordinator may see something that is missing and may decide to continue looking for a more suitable product which in the end would greatly benefit the district and it's employees.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Blog Assignment 1 - Chapter 1
The first chapter of our text " The Technology Coordinator's Handbook" by Frazier and Bailey was very eye opening. Sometimes I do not have enough patience with the way our tech department works however now that I understand all of the different roles played by just one person, it will make me think twice before complaining. The technology coordinator wears more hats than I had expected. Not only are they responsible for maintaining the network and all of the equipment but they are also involved in planning, budgeting and teaching! I am sure one must be a very organized person in order to keep all the roles and responsibilities in order.
As stated in the text on page 15, "The tech coordinator needs to be able to see things from a teacher's perspective to effectively support and advocate technology integration in the classroom." This qualification is one that I see having an effect on many aspects of the tech coordinators job. I feel that educational experience will allow the coordinator to have the knowledge to plan and budget for necessary equipment as well as identify with the needs of the classroom teacher. I found it interesting that tech coordinators spend more time dealing with training on how to use technology than they do on hardware and software issues themselves. I feel that as educational technology continues to expand, the job of the tech coordinator will become increasingly more challenging and diverse.
As stated in the text on page 15, "The tech coordinator needs to be able to see things from a teacher's perspective to effectively support and advocate technology integration in the classroom." This qualification is one that I see having an effect on many aspects of the tech coordinators job. I feel that educational experience will allow the coordinator to have the knowledge to plan and budget for necessary equipment as well as identify with the needs of the classroom teacher. I found it interesting that tech coordinators spend more time dealing with training on how to use technology than they do on hardware and software issues themselves. I feel that as educational technology continues to expand, the job of the tech coordinator will become increasingly more challenging and diverse.
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