New Tab Added

Just added the new Page / Tab: The Forgotten Resource.  I was a bit preachy, but I did speak from the heart.  Hope if I am preaching, I at least walk the walk while I talk the talk.

Rasmussen College Faculty Teach Each Other in Virtual Conferences

Rasmussen College Faculty Teach Each Other in Virtual Conferences

Why don't we try a "Tech Coordinator" / Tech Liaison virtual conference?

The best PD I've ever been involved in has been about teacher and others sharing their passions.

Tech Coordinator Position?

Though New York State requires a certification for a Technology Instructor, NYC Dept. of Ed. has no requirement.   WHY?  I've been in my school for ten years, teaching computers 22 to 25 periods a week, (full time) and around that acting as the Tech Coordinator for the building, (in charge of all tech hardware and software purchases, and up until this coming year acting as web master for the school web site, and organizing any tech PD for classroom teachers, and doing all the immediate tech repair including upgrades and fixing many a school printer) but with all this tech responsibility my official job title remains: CB (Common Branch) Elementary teacher.  It just seems silly to be in a building where 1) Every K-5 classroom has an IWB / high end document camera / printer, 2) Where there are two 30 station computer labs, 3) Where an XServe houses student accounts, 4) Where there are four laptop carts with 15 MacBooks each, 5) Where if you count all the Apple (eMacs, iMacs, Mac Minis, MacBooks) there are well over a total of 200 computers, yet with all this tech there is not one person in the building with the job description of Tech Coordinator, or at least Computer Teacher / Tech POS?  It doesn't make sense to me.  It's like going on an ocean liner without someone in charge of the engine room, hoping that there won't be any issues till the next time you stop in port.

Why there should be a Tech Coordinator in EVERY School

We tend to spend money on things more than we spend it on people.  Though there is a great amount of disparity out there it does seem clear that schools today are filling up with technology.  What they are not also filling with is a dedicated person who has the job to coordinate the technology throughout the building.  I do not mean a technician, or I might say I don't mean only a technician.  What I mean is that every building needs an expert educator who will coordinate the use of technology for Students, Teachers, Parents, and Administrators.  This is a big job and can't be on top of teaching a full or almost full course load.  It needs to be someone who can coach teachers, lead students in the use of resources, and search out and facilitate the use of the best equipment and software that suites the school curriculum and community. Schools that don't have this person are using technology in a hit or miss manner and I can tell you for sure they are not using technology to it's full potential.

We are so intent on putting technology in the hands of learners.  Why aren't we so intent on putting a person in every school that can facilitate the use of that technology in a way that it's really used, to the fullest of it's potential, in a consistent manner in every school.