I do not believe that the tech department uses a software selection form. I think that they are so busy with work that they do not have the time to go through the whole process. The tech leaders are so busy that I am not sure how much of this gets accomplished by them and how involved the administration is in seeking new technologies to improve the classroom. This is a shame and I think it occurs more often then not with the technology people being overworked now days, don’t have the time to do all aspects of their job to the best of their ability.
I think the form itself is great but it seems like it would require quite a large amount of time to set up committee and meet with them and get all this done. Finding the people to be on such a committee might not be the easiest task either. The process of using the form seems like it would be most beneficial because it would help administration know what the teachers need and want, and what will be the most beneficial to have in the classroom. The teachers would get a lot more input and technology would be acquired the way it should be in order to fill a need in the curriculum not because administration thinks it is cool or useful.
You raise an excellent point about the committee. Few people would volunteer to take on extra work such as this. I would be a bit apprehensive about going on this committee. If something goes wrong, the first person people blame is the tech guy. Since the tech guy is generally busy and not available to rant at, guess who takes the heat? The committee members. Not only that, but being on a tech committee announces that you may know a thing or two about computers. Once people find that out, many seem to think you can magically fix their computers. After a while it gets a bit annoying. After all, there is nothing I can do for you if your ISP went down.
ReplyDeleteJames, i never thought about what happens after you fill out the form, but you are right some group would have to decide which software would be purchased and which would be cut. The form itself would be great since it would be teachers who are going to use the software actually requesting it.
ReplyDeleteSteph- your post reads like you may have had some bad experiences with technology in your work experience. I can see your point about not wanting to take on the additional responsibility of helping others with their technology needs, especially if you aren’t given the proper clearance to do so. I am in a similar situation to the one you described; however, I’m on the technology committee because I want to help reform and improve things in my district. I was already looked at as the teacher in my building who can be counted on to help with computer problems. I hate having to go through the trouble of filling out a tech request and then waiting days or weeks to get a simple problem fixed, so I try to help out others when I can. This is complicated by our district not giving teachers administrative privileges on the computers. I am hoping that my involvement with the committee will help alleviate some of the stress on our seemingly overworked technicians.
ReplyDeleteJames,
ReplyDeleteExcellent point on referring to the teacher to decide the desired technology to be added. Usually administrators don't really have a clear view on what is needed in the classrooms. So basically, getting the information from the teacher ensure the proper usage of the new software implemented.
Maram