As the Building Technology Contact (BTC) for my school, I participate in establishing procedures and policies, and I help plan, budget, and implement resources for our school’s technology environment. As a degree-seeking student in the University of Alaska Southeast’s Educational Technology Masters Program, I have participated in a variety of professional development opportunities related to management of school facilities, technology resources, and purchases.
As a BTC, I am often responsible for various aspects of the school’s technology facilities. Rogers Park Elementary serves approximately 600 students in grades K-6. We have approximately 40 staff members using technology as an instructional tool. At the beginning of each year, I am responsible for updating the computers on our server network. This process is known as re-imaging and is a remote means of installing new software packages and updates using our Local Area Network (LAN). Teachers and students have different images for their computers. Throughout the year, as issues arise, I am responsible for assisting teachers and students or directing them to the correct place for help. I work closely with our Educational Technology and Information Technology departments to make sure all staff members have the most current information possible; I send emails, make announcements at staff meetings, or organize formal training opportunities.
My role as a BTC includes participating in decisions about new purchases. I often research technologies and make recommendations aligned with the ASD Educational Technology Plan 2008-2011 (ASD, 2008). During the information gathering, decision-making, and implementing process, I collaborate with our district’s Educational Technology ...
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...tions and Their Effect on Staff Use of Educational Technology (Doore & Price, 2010) provided information showing that server space was not the problem, but that professional development was needed for staff and that student training would be needed.
Coordinating the development and direct implementation of technology infrastructures procedures, policies, plans and budgets is a job best done by people working as a team. My job, as an educational technology leader, is to facilitate the best-practices in educational technology in any way I can. Whether I share information about my classroom practice or research software for a school purchase, I rely on many people for help and support. By maintaining open lines of communication and inviting participation in the educational technology decisions, I aim to have everyone in my building maximize their use of technology.
Since my appointment to the Hillingdon School I have been afforded the opportunity to play an integral role in moving forward the ICT and Business Departments and the Technologies Curriculum Area. These roles, accompanied with the time that I have spent on the whole school ICT Development Group, have allowed me to build up a strong set of skills, experience and knowledge that has helped prepare me for a senior position within a very successful school. Indeed, my experience of working within a school that achieved the top grade in each of the Inspection Key Questions has provided me with an awareness of what is required for continuous school improvement and striving for educational excellence.
The students consistently score well on statewide tests, and they are well prepared for high school and beyond. But the School Building Committee and School Administration, after looking at multiple sites, touring other schools and reviewing multiple options, realized that a new school has substantial advantages over renovating and adding to the existing school. A new building will furnish teachers with the tools necessary to meet the growing needs of our student population. Individualized instructional spaces for English Language Learners and students with special needs will allow these students to receive the specialized instruction they require to make appropriate progress and keep up with their grade level peers. Additionally, the new building will provide the infrastructure to integrate modern technology into the educational program, supporting students as they utilize software to develop concepts and permitting teachers to use programs that can target specific student needs and learning styles. Group spaces in the building will bring teams of student together to collaborate on school projects or attend presentations. In today’s global economy students must have the skills needed to conduct research, work in teams, and effectively deliver presentations. A new Tisbury School will provide the staff with the tools to prepare students for success in high
There are costs associated with maintenance, upgrade and training to insure up-to-date technology and competiveness. Distant schools without infrastructure fall behind and cannot compete nationally or internationally (Morrison, 20013). Community college leaders must learn to market their efforts in the use of technology. They must also look for collaborative efforts for funding, curriculum development, and for planning and technology
Technology has affected everyone’s life so people are now more reliable on technology for different purposes i.e. teacher and student communicate online with each other which is enhanced as distance education (on-line ...
Professionally, I have stretched the limits of my own comfort zone, through embracing changes in curriculum and education and pursuing further learning opportunities. I am proud that although I have become a veteran teacher on my staff, I am the educational technology teacher. I trouble shoot various technological issues within our school and I have expan...
Zola is to integrate technology school wide. To assist her in reaching this goal she will need to hire a technology resource teacher. Who she chooses for the position will determine if the integration is successful or not – especially since most teachers at Roma Elementary are reluctant to use technology (McDonald, 2006). In addition, how Ms. Zola chooses to implement the technology initiative could either create buy-in from teachers or result in resistance. According to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) an administrator needs to inspire and facilitate a shared vision or purposeful change to create and sustain a culture for digital age learning (2016). Ms. Zola will need to clearly communicate her expectations and vision throughout the school
That same year, I became one of the first one-to-one laptop classrooms in my district and committed myself to creating and maintaining a paperless classroom through the use of free online tools. This work resulted in academic success for my students who began to consistently earn some of the highest test scores in the district on standardized testing, such as Californian High School Exit Exam, California Standardized Testing and Report, and Measures of Academic Progress Testing. My successes led to additional responsibilities in my district, including positions as the lead tech on the JCCS Academic Vocabulary Committee, the union Site Rep for SPA a member of the SPA Building Effective Schools Together (positive behavior intervention supports) committee, and a position as a Beginning Teaching Support and Assessment Induction Support Provider. After a dramatic change in JCCS leadership, I began to focus my energy back toward my classroom. Since the Technology Committee was disbanded, I began to further participate in the educational technology community by attending multiple conferences and earning Leading Edge Certification.
I did not set out to be a teacher nor did I set out to be a leader but today I am both a teacher and a leader in educational technology. Through my studies in the Educational Technology program at the University of Alaska Southeast I have created a solid foundation for that leadership role. My portfolio shows what I have learned in educational technology and my growth as a technology leader. Each artifact was chosen to emphasize what I believe is most important in education for me. They show my commitment to professional growth, my dedication in supporting student learning, and my belief in the strength of collaboration.
Argues that we must do more to ensure that computers are fully integrated into all our schools. Suggestion that there is no limit to the possibilities of computers; Topic of distance learning; Ways that the Internet can make schools more effective; Call for schools to develop innovative budgeting to acquire the funds for te...
"Research Center: Technology in Education." Education Week American Education News Site of Record. Web. 19 Nov. 2011. .
For the teacher, computer technology can lead to more efficient time management in record keeping and developing lessons plans as well as the ease of conducting any kind of research and communication without having to leave the classroom.
The only problem is that some of today's schools are hindered by an under-powered technology based curriculum and, in order to stay competitive, the American educational system must do a better job of integrating. Computers have made a fundamental change in most industries, providing a competitive advantage that has come to be essential to stay in business. Therefore, education must also use technology to improve the educational process instead of simply applying it to existing structures. School systems often consider acquiring an enterprise computer network, but justify its purchase by applying it to routine administrative tasks, or take period by period attendance.
A major issue that arises when talking about failing schools is the students’ lack of technological instruction in these schools. The world has become incredibly dependent on technology, and learning the skills necessary to deal with this uprising is important. Implementing programs in schools about computers, involving multimedia and much more are extremely important in t...
Starr, L. (2011, June 14). Education World. Retrieved 11 2, 2013, from Technology Integration/ Ideas That Work: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech176.shtml
Vision Statement: My vision is to ensure that every student gains the acceptable knowledge to understand and learn the concepts of what education has to offer. Within this context I perceive integrating technology as a tool that will expand learning abilities. Therefore, my vision is to provide instructional technology skills into the curriculum. As a follower of the 21st Century Framework I will set into the standards of education the 21st Century themes, the mastery of core subjects, learning and innovation skills, information media and technology skills along with life and career skills to ensure that every student masters these skills. Stimulating an academic environment that is dedicated to support and enhance student’s commitment to today’s digital world will promote success.