Comments on: How Do We Ensure Our Schools Are Staffed with Technologically Savvy Teachers http://www.openeducation.net/2008/02/13/how-do-we-ensure-our-schools-are-staffed-with-technologically-savvy-teachers/ Free Education for All Fri, 13 May 2011 00:38:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Todd Ritter http://www.openeducation.net/2008/02/13/how-do-we-ensure-our-schools-are-staffed-with-technologically-savvy-teachers/#comment-1285 Todd Ritter Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:19:36 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/2008/02/13/how-do-we-ensure-our-schools-are-staffed-with-technologically-savvy-teachers/#comment-1285 I found this post via a Google search, and I must say I'm flattered at the response! Thank you for posting my points to an educational crowd. As background, I'm an IT systems administrator at a K12 school district in central PA (we did not apply for Classrooms of the Future due to the many strings attached). My supervisor, and former teacher, recently brought on an instructional technology staff member (former teacher as well) to be an ambassador for all of our lovely technology. It's worthless for me to support equipment if it won't benefit the students, so having staff with educational backgrounds helps. Thanks again! Todd I found this post via a Google search, and I must say I’m flattered at the response! Thank you for posting my points to an educational crowd. As background, I’m an IT systems administrator at a K12 school district in central PA (we did not apply for Classrooms of the Future due to the many strings attached). My supervisor, and former teacher, recently brought on an instructional technology staff member (former teacher as well) to be an ambassador for all of our lovely technology. It’s worthless for me to support equipment if it won’t benefit the students, so having staff with educational backgrounds helps.

Thanks again!
Todd

]]> By: Donna http://www.openeducation.net/2008/02/13/how-do-we-ensure-our-schools-are-staffed-with-technologically-savvy-teachers/#comment-899 Donna Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:57:48 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/2008/02/13/how-do-we-ensure-our-schools-are-staffed-with-technologically-savvy-teachers/#comment-899 From my perspective the problem isn't just educating teachers, but supporting teachers doing this kind of work. In Pennsylvania schools can apply for the "Classrooms of the Future" grants. When they get the money, it can only go to core curriculum teachers (English/LA, Math, Science and Social Studies. As a Family and Consumer Science teacher in a building that received the grant, I can go observe what the students and teachers are doing. I received a memo that I am not to touch the equipment. I have been using wikis and blogs in my class, I introduces colleagues to google documents, I teach technology courses for the district and for the local writing project site. When I have put in requests on my department's budget for technology, it gets shot down. There is a digital divide opening up between teachers that have equipment and access and those that aren't aloud. From my perspective the problem isn’t just educating teachers, but supporting teachers doing this kind of work. In Pennsylvania schools can apply for the “Classrooms of the Future” grants. When they get the money, it can only go to core curriculum teachers (English/LA, Math, Science and Social Studies. As a Family and Consumer Science teacher in a building that received the grant, I can go observe what the students and teachers are doing. I received a memo that I am not to touch the equipment. I have been using wikis and blogs in my class, I introduces colleagues to google documents, I teach technology courses for the district and for the local writing project site. When I have put in requests on my department’s budget for technology, it gets shot down. There is a digital divide opening up between teachers that have equipment and access and those that aren’t aloud.

]]> By: Mathman6293 http://www.openeducation.net/2008/02/13/how-do-we-ensure-our-schools-are-staffed-with-technologically-savvy-teachers/#comment-410 Mathman6293 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 06:17:57 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/2008/02/13/how-do-we-ensure-our-schools-are-staffed-with-technologically-savvy-teachers/#comment-410 I wish we could use more technology because it is more engaging if used well. I feel like my deparment has made progress this year alone. This year we constructed a 30 computer lab for the math department, bought 10 ehlmo doc cameras, and 3 sets of 30 TI84 calculators. We are in a pretty good position tech wise. But we need more time to collaborate and learn. Our Admin is making a real effort to allow us to consume professional development that is suited to our personal needs. That means they are differentiating for us. Wow. On the other hand we are on our second year of corrective action so all those goodies keep us bogged down in more than our share of punative monthly meetings. Hopefully, we'll hit our AYP mark and get off the list at the end of the year. As far as Skype goes we are locked out from using it at school. Which keeps me from showing it to teachers. Districts are terrified of technology, too. I wish we could use more technology because it is more engaging if used well. I feel like my deparment has made progress this year alone. This year we constructed a 30 computer lab for the math department, bought 10 ehlmo doc cameras, and 3 sets of 30 TI84 calculators.

We are in a pretty good position tech wise. But we need more time to collaborate and learn. Our Admin is making a real effort to allow us to consume professional development that is suited to our personal needs. That means they are differentiating for us. Wow.

On the other hand we are on our second year of corrective action so all those goodies keep us bogged down in more than our share of punative monthly meetings. Hopefully, we’ll hit our AYP mark and get off the list at the end of the year.

As far as Skype goes we are locked out from using it at school. Which keeps me from showing it to teachers. Districts are terrified of technology, too.

]]> By: Chris Wilson http://www.openeducation.net/2008/02/13/how-do-we-ensure-our-schools-are-staffed-with-technologically-savvy-teachers/#comment-317 Chris Wilson Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:02:21 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/2008/02/13/how-do-we-ensure-our-schools-are-staffed-with-technologically-savvy-teachers/#comment-317 We need a serious revamping of our system if we intend to make serious changes. Sixty five hours a week is a lot. Hard to keep up on new movements if you are bogged down in the daily grind. We need a serious revamping of our system if we intend to make serious changes. Sixty five hours a week is a lot. Hard to keep up on new movements if you are bogged down in the daily grind.

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