Blog Assignment 4 -- Landis

                The Berwick Area School District does have a shared storage on the network for students and faculty to utilize.  It is our K: Drive.  In previous years, as a Computer Literacy teacher, I created a folder where I could place files and folders from which my students could retrieve necessary information for our class projects.  I found this to be very beneficial for both myself and my students.

                Berwick Schools use a Microsoft Exchange email system with Outlook Web portal so that it can be accessed both inside and outside the district.  I find this system to be VERY beneficial to me especially over the last couple of months.  In May, I had to leave school to have surgery.  I was unable to return to school and ordered to very limited activity.  This system allowed me to receive all daily school emails, keep in very close contact with my substitute, keep up-to-date on school activities, and also I enjoyed keeping in contact with faculty and staff members.  It made my absence and recovery period a lot easier for all involved.

                The most important thing I learned throughout reading Chapter 4 (and the previous chapters) is something about myself.  I’m aware of the many tasks, skills, duties, and basic knowledge that a technology coordinator has to be aware of at all times.  A coordinator is a person of MANY hats.  After reading, the section called “Network Infrastructures,” I can honestly say I know that I am neither ready nor capable of handling this aspect of a coordinator’s job.  I know that I do not have the specialized technical training that is vital to ensure the success of a school computer network.  I’ve always been very open to learning new things and new concepts.  I found the reading about the speeds and costs of the different connection types to be informative.  Throughout the reading, my thoughts went back to one question….Is a person that takes a technology coordinator’s position insane?????  Companies and schools seem to keep piling more and more responsibilities and duties onto our workload with nothing in return.   When do the hats we wear become too many?

Assignment #2 -- Software Selection

In my 17 years as a Computer Literacy teacher, the only software we purchased was an occasional educational game like:  Reading Detective, Oregon Trail, and Fraction Attraction.  These software packages had to be ordered as part of our budget.  We would complete a one page basic order form with the standard name, subject, and grade as well as the product information (name, code, cost) and company information.  I would usually voluntarily submit a copy of the product information found either in a catalog or from online.

I asked the computer tech, in our building, if we had any software selection form that I was unaware of and he said our district has no such form.  He did say that for larger software package purchases the curriculum director, technology director, computer techs, and literacy coaches would usually meet to discuss the item before purchasing.

I believe that by having a software selection form similar to the one presented in our text it would be beneficial to everyone.  The teacher/user would be required to do a little “investigative” work to determine if the software would be beneficial to his/her students.  The school would benefit because the program would hopefully increase student learning or they would avoid spending valuable dollars if the program is found to be subpar through the software selection process.  And how could we forget the taxpayers who would save money by avoiding unnecessary purchases?

Wendy Landis' Blog - Asgn1

How could I be a successful tech leader?  While reading through Chapter 1 of “The Technology Coordinator’s Handbook”, Frazier gives 4 broad skills for a successful tech coordinator.  As I continued to read through the chapter, I found myself making mental notes about which skills I felt I possessed and which skills I need to acquire.  I believe I possess a large number of the personal skills required such as a passion for technology, strong organizational skills, patience, good interpersonal skills, etc.  Although I have a broad spectrum of tech knowledge, the area I feel weakest in is network infrastructure.  I like to be good at what I do, so before I would even consider applying for a position as a technology leader, I would like to become more educated in this aspect.

                What challenges do I foresee in this position?  In our district, I see one challenge to be man-power.  We have 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school, and 1 administration office.  We currently have a tech support staff of 3 along with 2 technology coaches.  These staff members are kept in a constant state of OVERLOAD.  I found it interesting that during class the other night, someone brought up that they would in no way want their district’s technology leader’s job due to the work overload.  It seems like this might be a reoccurring theme in many school districts.  Although I’m confident in myself, at this point in time, I see this as the biggest challenge I would face as a technology leader.