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?
It seems that many school are like yours and provide for shared network storage as well as access to email both at school and off-site. I too have to agree that the technology coordinator has a tremendous amount of duties that can fall under their purview within the schools. I think this can bring to the forefront the important undertaking of forming a good technology team. With all the tasks that can be their responsibility it is impossible for one person to do all of it. Even if it is creating a workforce of student tech. support or a team of expert teachers through professional development, any help can and will be of great value.
ReplyDeleteShared storage is such a convenience with projects. Our students are required to complete a PowerPoint presentation to go along with their science fair projects in 4th - 6th grade. The students get the standard template on their U:Drive. It is nice for me because I teach special education, and many of my students need help working on their projects. I am able to pull that up quickly and then the students need less guidance.
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