TQ #6

From October 6, 2008

What I'm learning is scary actually. I am lacking in school experience and it is really beginning to catch up to me. I have spent an incredible amount of time observing and asking questions and evaluating technology use and systems this semester that I am finally beginning to see a clearer picture of how schools work. Here's the problem, I'm also beginning to see how small the IT teams are, how little the IT support staff is paid, and how small the decision making teams are. There seems to be a tremendous amount to take into consideration as a technology planner. Generally you see a large work load and you seek out enough members to make it manageable. In almost every case I am seeing that these teams are limited by time, resources, and members. Furthermore, when the economy gets tight, IT support is the first area that seems to be affected and/or cut. For a technology director/planner, this must be a nightmare on top of everything they are already juggling.

From the projects however, the big picture is finally starting to fit together. Jack has been a HUGE influence and his perspective has proven invaluable in helping give me a window into the real-world. Being able to review an existing technology plan helped set the parameters for what are and aren't reasonable future suggestions, expectations, upgrades and implementations. I'm looking forward to hearing the sort of planning goes on at the state level when we finally get the chance to speak to Holly Jobe with Classrooms of the Future for PA. I'm hoping to gain an insight into how the state approaches planning for technology in education.