Duties of a Technology Coordinator

For my final semester, I'm taking a course that explore Coordinating Technology in an Educational Setting. One of our assignments included interviewing a Technology Coordinator to gain more knowledge of how this role functions in a K-12 setting. On Wednesday, January 25, 2012 I met with Craig Barnum, the Director of Information Services and Technology. Craig works for Prairie Community Schools. As his title indicates, he is responsible for much more than simply 'coordinating technology'.

My initial impression of a Technology Coordinator was very different from what the in-person interview revealed otherwise. For the full scoop, Listen to this podcast. The full interview was slightly over 23 minutes. There is minor feedback (buzzing) in a few sections of the interview. I suspect this is because of the microphone and CPU processor 'communicating' with each other. Hopefully, it isn't too much of a distraction. The interview was very insightful.

Picture sighted from: http://gatorball.files.wordpress.com

Is your educational program ready to implement 1-1? Here's 5 things to consider

I recently attended at webinar co-hosted by the Curriculum & Instruction department at UNI and a team of educators from Auburn Junior High in Auburn, AL. In the last two years, I've heard about 1-1 and actually seen it in action at the Flat Classroom conference in Beijing, China last year. This 1.5 hour question/answer session was a great eye opener to the importance of planning before rollout.


So, you wanna implement 1-1 in your educational setting. Here are 5 things you might want to consider:
#5 Engage your stakeholders
a) Build a task force that includes your superintendent (or the like)

b) Develop teacher buy-in

c) create a strategic plan

d) Involve people, process & technology

#4 Change the Culture
a)Time: Promote time flexibility for change to occur

b) Talk: "Walk the talk"

c) Plan: Written communication and establish accountability

d) Develop: Growth opportunities

e) Lean: Study the successes and failures of others

#3 Professional Development
a) Provide technology one year in advance

b) Use professional development sessions smartly

c) Answer questions fast

d) Provide ongoing support

e) Implement mentoring programs

f) Train to fix minor issues

#2 Infrastructure:
a) LoJack (to track device) / engraving of device on the front

b) DyKnow software - this will allow teachers to control and/or manage machines

c) Consider purchasing an Accidental Damage Plan from computer manufacture

d) Internet Filtering System

e) Tablet specific to student

f) Battery Saving Tips to students

g) Student responsible for charging battery

#1 Infrastructure: Network Support

a) Stability

b) Security

c) Reliability

d) Capacity

e) Supportability

f) Scalability

In summary, Auburn Junior High has been 1-1 for more than six years and includes diverse student population of almost 1.100 students. I learned many things by participating in this webinar, but, one things that stuck out the most was that teachers were given computers one year prior to 1-1 implementation.