TQ #4

From September 22, 2008

One of the most promising things I’ve learned from completing part one of the technology plan is the fact that professional development is becoming increasingly more important. After having read so much research, including as recently as in the Wenglinsky book, so many successful programs have a strong professional development sector. According to the information we gathered from LCTI, the professional development is effective and is working. I also learned that 70-80% are moderate users of technology - that number is higher than I’ve previously read in other schools. So good things are happening in technology.

Some major concerns/suggestions I have when looking ahead include, dynamic professional development, continuing investment within budget confines, and increased use of wireless networks.

So far, the professional development at LCTI for example, is effective. However, because technology is so dynamic and innovations are made daily, it is critically important to have a dynamic professional development program. Currently at LCTI, the focus has been on the Classroom of the Future initiative which is great; but, when that training is finished, it must be a high priority to re-tool the program in order to address new technology additions at the school.

Budget limitations is almost a ubiquitous problem, some schools worse than others. It seems to me that the trend in schools is to jump on a new technology, whether it be new hardware or software, just because it looks cool or there’s a possibility that it could make a positive impact on the classroom. I’m all about trying new things, but when working within the confines of a budget, a school must try new things responsibly. For example, a project I am doing for another class has me spending the vast majority of my spare time in a school observing use of, gathering data about, and ultimately creating a realistic needs assessment for technology in that school. Upon my first visit, I found multiple computers in each classroom - but they were circa 2000 Tangent PCs. It begs the question - I confirmed that there is a technology budget, so where is the money going? Technology plans require constant updating as does the technology. I believe it is important to test new software on a trial basis, validate this same software, and evaluate its true educational worth before spending money on it. If a school can identify which programs will truly make a difference from those that will not, I believe more money will be saved that can ultimately be turned around and used to dispose of and replace old hardware.

That brings me to my last point. Another area I see where money can be saved is by implementing and maintaining a robust, high-speed, secure wireless network. Now years ago I realize this would be almost impossible, but wireless technology has become exponentially better over the last two years (even just this past year). Instead of retro-fitting old buildings with hardwire everywhere, or even building new buildings with hardwire everywhere, how about wiring only what absolutely has to be wired and running the rest of the infrastructure to strategically placed wireless routers? Wireless N technology will be capable of speeds up to 300 Mbps many experts claim. So instead of spending all that money to put Cat 5e in an old building for every computer, spend less money to run Cat 6 or even fiber to strategically placed wireless routers and other places that absolutely need hard line. This way your infrastructure can support faster speeds, and when the time comes to upgrade to a better wireless technology, simply replace the routers and your network is up to date. Faster speeds = better use of educational sites that stream video, audio, and large image files. Wireless network = ability for teachers to allow students using laptops to collaborate and work in teams as well as move around the room to where they are comfortable as opposed to where there is a network jack. New wireless technologies support some very robust security options including WPA as opposed to WEP, mac address filters, just to name a few.

Bottom line as I see it comes down to informed, responsible spending, dynamic professional development, and commitment to reasonable but frequent hardware upgrade.