Tech Without Support: IT Snags Hamper Schools' Technology Use

Moses, A. (2008, June). Tech without support: it snags hamper schools' technology use. Eutopia, http://www.edutopia.org/ikid-school-technology-support.

Summary: 

Moses introduces this article by painting the picture of an active eighth grade classroom that flawlessly integrates technology with initiative.  Students are using an array of technology devices, including SMART boards, video editing equipment, and computers to complete a number of projects.  However, this scene is not as common as most would hope- but, for the first time it may not be for a lack of funding or resources, but rather human support. Many teachers are able to successfully use the equipment provided, but because technology breaks, obtains viruses, and often shuts down, they are not able to use what has been given.  Moses writes about the struggles of teachers and students to use their materials when little support is offered for maintenance of the machines.  

Many districts have come up with solutions to the lack of personnel, looking within to hire capable, tech savvy employees- often students.  Some schools have technology clubs that students can join where they earn money fixing the districts computers after school.  Using and teaching students not only provides a low cost option for districts, but students are able to learn valuable information along the way.  

Teachers are also stepping up and offering themselves when IT personnel are unavailable.  Some people sight concerns about students gaining access to the schools' databases as dangerous, but administrators are cited as claiming students do not need to enter the database in order to solve most problems.  Firewalls are in place to protect teachers and students' grades, and most tech troubles are troubleshooted and solved outside of that database. 

This article concludes with a return to the eighth grade classroom where tech savvy teachers and enthusiastic students have melded seamlessly to create an almost Utopian use of skill and ability.  While not all classrooms can flow as neatly as this one, many teachers can obtain the ability and resources to help their students learn more.  

Response:  

I felt inspired by this article to not only integrate technology into my classroom, but also to become knowledgeable about how to operate or fix the equipment.  I am aware that many districts are unable to pay for full time IT technicians, therefore if I hope to incorporate technology into my classroom, I have a responsibility to learn how it operates.  Though many districts are able to use their students to fix computers and other technology, I see the potential risk in involving too many students, as mentioned in the article.  However, helping students to learn about technology and how to maintain it will not only save districts money, but also helps the students future careers.  When students are given real-life problems and see the outcomes and how they are able to affect people, they will learn more and feel inspired.  Such skills are often expensive to develop, so by teaching them to students, both the district and students are benefiting.