I reviewed my district technology plan which was revised 09-10. I see some things that are great - standard hardware for each school (ie. each teacher will have a laptop, document camera or Smart Board along with a projector). It will be nice if we can get to this place but I appreciate the fact that it is a goal. There are also plans to increase the basic technology skills of all teachers and I see these classes being offered through my district on a regular basis. I appreciate the forward thinking of the district to "push" all of us to use technology more while performing our daily tasks.
The disappointing parts are that this document seems so out of date. There is discussion about in service for teachers to use Lotus Notes, and the tools associated with it, when the reality is that we ended our contract with Lotus December 2010. There are many similar examples in the document. Is this typical because technology changes so quickly?
Wordle - Lots of fun but I didn't know how to save it or access the wordle I made. I did use the randomizer button to "mix it up" and see different shapes and colors.
Things I want to learn:
When I was in my undergrad program - almost 30 years ago - I had to take a technology class. Skills I learned in that class include: how to use a ditto machine with an idiot sheet, how to run a 16mm film projector (which came in VERY handy for the first part of my career), laminating machines, overhead projectors and the Ducane automatic filmstrip projector. It was a useful class.
So in this new 21st Century Technology Class - I hope to learn...
how to use twitter (do I want to know how to do this??)
how to hook up my laptop to the in focus machine - which cord am I suppose to use?
how to print from google docs without having it print super small or only print part of the page
why, when I open and shut down my computer at work, does it take SO LONG! and it doesn't take long to open and shut down when I am at home?
The good news is that my technology skills and knowledge are already improving as a result of this class. Thanks Todd!
Re the Tech Plan: how close are you to the goal of that tech plan--esp the classroom set up in every class? Lotus Notes? That's not around much any more. Thanks, too for the list of things you want to learn. I'll want to make sure I cover them all.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to work in a district large enough to offer in-house tech classes to staff. Good luck with meeting the district goals.
ReplyDeleteI love your comments about state of the art technology 30 years ago. I was the AV nerd in elementary school and figured out how to use all that equipment. I guess I was an "analog technology native" but I am far away from being a "digital native".
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