Session 7

Focus Question: If you have or if you would run into a situation like the Ed Norman Syndrome, what would be the issues be? As an educated leader, how would you solve the issues?

As a Microcomputer specialist I can relate to Ed Norman. When I first started my job a couple years ago I felt the same way. I thought I was hired to keep the computers in good shape. As I started working with students and teachers, I started to get the feeling that I needed to restrict privileges because I believed they were messing up the computers. I started on that track, but I learned new ways to restrict privileges without restricting usage. I found ways to restrict students from "messing" with the computers without restricting their usage. For example, I restrict them from setting up printers and the control panels, which I set up for every computer, this way they can't mess with the computers and they have access to the computers. With Macs it is a lot easier to control, I think.
Now that I have experience and I have set-up a school full of computers that I don't have the problems of restriction for students or teacher. Sorry, I lied, some teachers don't have problems with this, but some do because I have some teachers who "think" they know what they are doing when they go into their computer preferences. What they end up doing is messing up their computer so much that I have to go repair it! Anyways, I have started working at another school where there is a BIG Ed Norman syndrome problem. I have walked into this school and found issues. Most computers at this site do not have a printer hooked up to it because the previous tech wanted to control printing to save paper and ink and didn't want the students printing out anything they wanted to. Another issue is the fact that the wireless has so many different passwords, that no one knows what they are anymore. He was the only one to know, but now he doesn't remember them. He did this to restrict anyone who came onto campus from using it. Now no one knows the passwords and no one is able to use the wireless until I am able to repair them.
As a technological educational leader one thing I am doing is going through the computers and setting them up to be able to print to the nearest printer. This way teachers and students are able to print out their work. I set up the printers and this way they are restricted to the preferences, but doesn't restrict their usage of the computer. To make the wireless easier for the teachers to use, I am making the passwords easier to remember for the teachers to use. This way they are able to use their laptops wireless with ease.
I think most who are in charge of computers in a school setting start off like Ed Norman because they are told by "the powers that be" that they want these computers to last. So they put the restrictions on the computers that they believe are necessary to keep the computers "in good shape." As soon as these people work with the teachers and students and find out what programs they need and what they don't have access to, then they change their ideas and change settings based on what is necessary for the students and teachers to have in order to access what they need. Unfortunately, some do not change because they do believe if they are keeping the computers in working order and doing their jobs, even if the teachers and students are restricted from certain things like printing. It's sad, but true.

Activity Log

2/23/09- Downloaded podcast, wrote blog, finished project one.

2/26/09- After two days of trying to remember how to put something on a website, I finally posted my project one and project two (Hooray for me).

3/1/09- Responded to three fellow student's blogs.

Session 6

Focus Question- What common barriers to technology integration do you experience or hear about in your particular practice of education at your school or district. Which of these are actual barriers and which of these are proxies for something else?

     As a Computer Technician I hear all kinds of barriers to technology integration at the sites I work at.  Some of the barriers I hear about are; not enough computers, not enough help, can't connect to the internet, and others.  Some of these are important, but some of these are excuses for not using technology in the classroom.

     As Dr. Newberry stated in the podcast, one of the major barriers that was recorded in 1999 was lack of computers and now in 2009 teachers are still naming this as one major barrier for technology integration.  At this site, each class has at least four computers in it.  This is enough to have rotations of four or five students, maybe one student who is good with technology and trustworthy for support.  I've seen it done before in other classrooms.  Some teachers think they need one computer for each child.  That is a good idea, but only possible when the class comes to the computer lab once a week.  Even then most of the teachers do not use the lab for lessons, but for a place they can leave their students so they can get lesson planning done.  I think this is a proxy to excuse themselves for using technology in the classroom.  In fact, I have seen teachers with four computers integrate technology in their classrooms.

     Some teachers say it is hard to integrate technology without extra help and support.  This might be a barrier because some things could be hard to do when there is only one adult in the room.  One example, I have a fifth grade teacher who let some of her high achieving students use the computers to research and create a presentation on an animal of their choice.  She couldn't give them her help, so she asked me and the computer teacher to help these students when we had time.  On the other hand, I have a teacher who lets his students go on the computer and type up a paper, or research for their science project, or work with the online program kidbiz300.  With this teacher, I have installed a program on his laptop called Apple Remote Desktop which allows the teacher to watch over the student's computers in his classroom so he can monitor those students and still manage the class.  I believe he hasn't reached the potential of integrating technology, but he is one that is coming closer to the goal.

     I have a lot of teachers who love to hook their projectors up to their laptops and show their students material that is on the internet, or a slideshow of some sort, but a lot of them have trouble connecting to the internet.  At first it was the district's fault because they installed new technology without properly training the technicians.  Once I got a handle on the problem and had all the teachers up and running, I showed them some simple ways to troubleshoot some problems that are simple fixes.  Some took the information in and use it, but some still are dealing with the same troubles.  This is sometimes a barrier because there are problems that come up where teachers can't fix and that is a problem.  I think the real problem here might be the fact that everything is not perfect, even computers, and if something doesn't work once doesn't mean you should give up on it.  I've seen teachers use technology in the classroom, but when something goes south, they give up ad stick with something more dependable, booklets.

     For the most part, I think barriers are more in our head then anything else.  Lets look at the metaphor: There's a million ways to skin a cat. (Sorry but it was the only one I could think of) ME OW   There are different ways to integrate technology, you just have to find a way that fits the best within your classroom.

Activity Log:

2/17/09- Been sick, trying to do as much as I can on projects, listen to podcast, wrote my blog, praying I feel better to work tomorrow.

2/19/09- Continued with the projects, made comments on three students blogs

Session 5

Focus Question- Identify a Technology Integration Best Practice you use. How did you learn about this best practice? Describe how you accomplished it. Why isn't everyone doing this Best Practice?

Identify- Using e-mail to communicate with teachers
How? How I learned about this best practice is by listening to others. First I have to explain that I am not a teacher, but I am a computer tech. The way the teachers use to communicate with me was through messages sent with students, or when they see me in the hall, or messages left in my mailbox. It was not very sufficient because I would lose the messages or I would forget who sent what message. In my district we have tech meeting every month where all the computer techs meet up and discuss problems or issues we have in the district. I overheard some of the others talk about receiving e-mails from the teachers. At that time, I thought about having the teachers at my site start communicating with me through e-mail.
Accomplish? The way I accomplished it was simple. First I created a flyer, the way teachers use to communicate with me and others, and I put one in every mailbox. What it contained was how to contact us ( the technology techer and myself) and it told the teachers that e-mail would be the better way to contact us. We even offered to set-up Microsoft Entourage on each of their laptops. This way there is no excuse to turn this idea down. At first the teachers thought of this as a way to avoid talking to the teachers and they thought it was a joke, but some have learned it is the better practice because they do not have to worry about finding me somewhere on campus to get their problems solved. Some even wondered why this wasn't done earlier. I even asked one of the teachers who helped me come up with the idea send out a letter to all the teachers telling how effective it was and how fast I responded to his e-mail.
Why not Everyone? Why some people are not using this best practice is because they are fine and comfortable with the way they communicate with eachother at their school site. Some are even afraid to change because they are comfortable with the way it is now. For example, I am going to start working at another school site this week and I am told the way they communicate with the previous computer tech was to write their name and room number down on a clipboard, and then the computer tech collects the clipboard and goes around and completes the tasks on the clipboard. I already see flaws in this system and I want to change this system to use the best practice of e-mailing to communicate with me.

Activity Log
2/9/09- Listen to podcast, e-mailed Dr. Newberry
2/10/09-Post my Blog, continue with my projects

Session 4

Focus Question: Which type of person in Rodgers Diffusion of Innovation Model do you most relate yourself to?

If you ask my co-worker/mentor he will tell you that I am a gadget freak/ addict. We joke about it all the time, but I think in this model I would be considered an early adopter or innovator. Now I don't know if Dr. Newberry wanted to know if we relate to the model in a professional way or in a personal way. I have examples of both to show that I am somewhere around an early adopter.

Well I was one not to jump on the ipod bandwagon, but once I had money to buy one that was the end of that. Once I bought my first ipod shuffle, I was dragged or pushed into it. You can say I was a late majority at that point because I had to know the benfits of the ipod and how to work it. Well my brother did his homework and got me to buy one. When I got it home and started using it I found out useful it was compared to caring CD's around. When the little shuffle grew out dated and did not have enough room to fit all my music, I then decided to get an ipod nano, which is bigger, but not the biggest one. Once that one got too small, I then bought the biggest and best one. To make a long story short I have gone through two other ipods after that, plus I'm now waiting for my sixth MP3 player. An ipod touch to be exact. This is because I want to have the new electronic of this time and I can't wait until I get it.

Now when I started this job I was a newbie to Macs, especially computer work altogether. I knew nothing about installing software or repairing computers. One day I was asked if I knew anything about iMovie. The reason was a teacher was leaving and she wanted a movie of her last class at this school and the last one she would have in this state because she was moving out of state. This perked my interest because it sounded fun and interesting to do. So without knowing anything I took on the job. Once I got started with it, I could not stop. I had to have the latest laptop with the latest version to work on it at home. Soon enough I finished it and I had everyone wanting one made for their class. I even did one for my friends and I. I wanted the lastest and best version. Now there are people at the school who use it to make the school video yearbook and some teachers use it to make a class video. So in this aspect I think I am an innovator because I started a trand at my job site.

I also think in order for anyone to be an innovator or an early adopter is they have to have an interest in the innovation. One example I have is when I was asked to repair some pictures with PhotoShop. Still to this day I am hestiant to use the program because to me it is too difficult to understand because I don't have all the knowledge about JPEGs and photo language. It all depends on the technology and the interest of the person involved.

Activity Log:
2/3/09- Started looking for word tutorials and other manuals out there, sent e-mail to principal about trainings
2/4/09- Listen to podcast, wrote blog
2/8/09- Still working on projects, posted comments on fellow student blogs, found out I have to use Microsoft 04 for project because of complications with Word 08.

Project Proposals

ETEC 623 Project Proposal 1

Your Name: Bill Myers

Project Title: Increase Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Project Focus: Using Technology


Project Description:
(Explain what the project is, what it is to do, why it is important, why you chose it. Explain what you expect to learn by doing this project. Be sure to relate your learning to the class topic.)
I intend to learn how to use the drawing toolbar in Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word will be the specific program). So many times I have seen teachers wanting the kids to do art on the computer, but always get discourage and turn back to paper and pencils because they don’t have all the answers. I want the teachers to see that computers are more than just tools to get information and more then a game system. I chose to use Microsoft Office because all the computers in the school have the program installed and there is no need to spend money to purchase any software like PrintShop or PhotoShop. The students already are learning to use Microsoft Office to type their final drafts, but they print it out and draw a picture with pencils to go along with it. If they were to type their final drafts, then draw on their final draft using the drawing toolbar this would show their knowledge of computers, not to mention their artistic creativity. By learning how to use the drawing toolbar, I intend to be able to teach both teachers and students how to use the drawing toolbar with what I learn from completing this project.

Project Artifacts:
1. I will create a page designed by using the drawing toolbar in Microsoft Word to show what I have learned.

2. I will use my page that I designed as a quality indicator.

3. These artifacts will accurately and appropriately reflect my engagement because first I must show that I am able to complete a piece of work with the program Microsoft Word.

Project Timeline:
I will start this project February 1, 2009, and I will finish this project by March 1, 2009. I plan on watching any tutorials on Microsoft Word and start manipulating the program by February 7, 2009. I will have an idea of what I want to create for my final project by February 14, 2009.



ETEC 623 Project Proposal 2

Your Name: Bill Myers

Project Title: Technology Training

Project Focus: Communicating about Effective Technology Use

Project Description:
(Explain what the project is, what it is to do, why it is important, why you chose it. Explain what you expect to learn by doing this project. Be sure to relate your learning to the class topic.)

I am going to create a PowerPoint that will help teachers learn the basics of using the draw tool in Microsoft Word. This will help teachers with using technology in the classroom, particularly with using technology as an art tool. I will show the different tools on the toolbar and describe what each tool does.

Project Artifacts:
1. I will use my PowerPoint Presentation to show the teachers how to use the draw tool on Microsoft Office.
2. I will use the slideshow as my quality indicator.
3. These artifacts accurately and appropriately reflect my engagement because this tool could be used for anyone who wants to learn how to use the draw tool.

Project Timeline:
I start my project February 1, 2009. I will have an idea of how I want to design my PowerPoint by February 3, 2009. I will have a basic outline by the 7th of February. I plan to give teachers my project by March 3, 2009. I will finish my project by March 8, 2009.


ETEC 623 Project Proposal 3

Your Name: Bill Myers

Project Title: Training Educators

Project Focus: Supporting technology

Project Description:
(Explain what the project is, what it is to do, why it is important, why you chose it. Explain what you expect to learn by doing this project. Be sure to relate your learning to the class topic.)

This project will survey the teacher’s ideas of trainings, meaning how long do they think it should last, what they need training on, etc. I will study the results of the returned surveys. I chose to do this because I want to know what teachers think of trainings and how can I make it better to improve training, especially on technology.

Project Artifacts:
1. I will post my findings with intent of finding a procedure to train educators.

2. My quality indicator will be the findings I receive from the surveys.

3. These artifacts accurately and appropriately reflect my engagement because I want to find out how to train educators.

Project Timeline:
I plan to start the project by February 7, 2009. I will get approval from the principal by the 14th of February to send out a copy of my survey to all teachers at my site. Review the returned surveys starting February 21, 2009. Report my findings and finish the project by March 15, 2009.