Kayse Morris April 15, 2013 Spring Practicum Technology Center Analysis

Technology Center Analysis

Index

Executive Summary pg. 3-5

Organizational Chart .pg. 5

Methods ..................pg . 5-6

Center Context and Goals ..pg. 6-7

Center Activities ..pg. 8-9

Technology Center Analysis

Evaluation .pg. 910

Monthly Report .pg. 10 Appendices attached: A,B,C

Technology Center Analysis

Executive Summary: Atkinson County School System is a rural Title I school system in Southwest Georgia serving approximately 1,648 students. Pearson houses 102 full-time teachers and only one technology coordinator for all four schools and the local board of education. This technology coordinator reports to the superintendent, instructional coordinators, and administration at each of the schools. Currently, the technology coordinator has only been with the system for two months. The previous technology coordinator just retired. Before becoming the technology coordinator for Atkinson County, he was a technology specialist in Coffee County for six years. While in Coffee County, he developed the skills necessary to help the entire Pearson school system. Pearson has two elementary schools and one high school that also incorporate the middle school. This school system is very small. Much smaller than Coffee County and can be helped by just one individual. The schools within Atkinson County are: Pearson Elementary School, Willacoochee Elementary School, Atkinson County Middle School, and Atkinson County High School. The technology coordinator has two IT technicians that work under him, but are not contracted through the local board of education. These technology specialists are contracted through the same company the computer software is purchased through. These techs handle anything computer based, while the technology coordinator handles all technology needs associated with the classroom such as printers, Activboards, monitors, and projectors. An SIS, or system information specialist, also assists the technology director. The SIS helps monitor the data that comes in and out of the system and the types of websites that are being used on a

Technology Center Analysis

regular basis. The types of employees the technology coordinator oversees are administrators, teachers, substitutes, and students. The technology department currently uses a problem solving tool available online called Trouble Trakker. This device allows teachers and administrators the opportunity to report problems to the tech department without email and lists a series of problems teachers can simply check. It also has helpful hints as to why a problem might be occurring and ways to fix it before you report the problem. Most problems need to be fixed hands on by having specialists come to the room, other problems can be fixed virtually by a tech specialists coming through your computer and fixing things remotely. Each classroom in Pearson has one Activboard or Smartboard (depending on the type of functionality of the room.) They also have at least one computer, some more, one printer, one projector, and many rooms have Elmo machines in the elementary schools. All of these technology devices are within five years old and supply a much needed technology basis for their students. In order to more effectively understand how the technology works within the school system, I monitored the Trouble Trakker report one day and went on missions to help fix problems that were not able to be fixed remotely. I also found time to sit in some of the classes or exploratory classes that use technology on a daily basis such as computers, keyboarding, computer technology, and family and consumer sciences. One of the major strengths I found within the Atkinson County school system was the real hometown atmosphere. Everyone seemed so friendly, and polite and thankful for the help we did. The teachers collaborated once weekly but rarely incorporated technology into their

Technology Center Analysis

collaboration sessions. This is one area that could be improved because most teachers still did not understand how to use different technology devices.

Evaluation Organizational charts: In Atkinson County Georgia the technology department currently has two employees that work the entire system. Although they only have two employees that are official technology specialists and coordinators, they still have many other employees that are actively engaged in maintaining and developing their technology department. Among these are teachers, literacy and numeracy coaches, various administrators and currently office personnel. While interviewing Jefferey, the technology coordinator, he spoke to me about his role and his new position in Pearson. He has worked for the Coffee County Board of Education for six years as a technology specialist and is thrilled to now be the coordinator for his own pod. He strongly feels his years at Coffee County prepared him for his transition to Atkinson County. Jefferey and I sat down to create an organizer of the duties of his technology department since he did not currently have a technology organizational chart for his county. The organizational chart is listed in Appendix A.

Methods for Collecting Data: I collected data by using surveys, running data reports from Trouble Trakker, and observations. The surveys were sent out county-wide to ask about the teachers needs in regards to technology. Again, many teachers serve as technology specialists on their campus so Jeffery can be a more effective technology coordinator. By running data reports from Trouble Trakker, I was able to quickly identify how many teachers on average were needing assistance from Jeffery

Technology Center Analysis

and how many problems could be resolved by just simple questions or remotely. The Trouble Trakker report looks like this 24270-3-22-2013 Teacher Friday, March 22, 2013 Printer None 0 Solved 18

Pearson Middle School

Nothing prints.

Teacher

12:42PM - 12:42PM Problem solved Friday, April 05, 2013 7:41AM - 7:41AM Friday, April 05, 2013 7:39AM - 7:39AM 0 changed out printer

Problem not solved - still working 0 Problem fixed remotely

Problem not solved - still working Teacher 0 Problem report reassigned

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

10:48AM - 10:48AM Problem not solved - still working Friday, March 22, 2013 Teacher 0 Problem fixed remotely

Teachers were also given a survey to complete on technology modifications and needs. This survey was created through surveymonkey and was easily accessible to our database. We gave the teachers one week to complete the survey with 76% of all teachers in the system completing it. Center Context and Goals: The technology center in Atkinson County houses only two employees; the technology coordinator and a technology specialist. As stated before, the department has a lot of outside help from teachers who have been trained to help, and a lot of their problems can be fixed remotely instead of having to go to the classrooms.

Technology Center Analysis

The mission of Atkinson County School System is to serve as the premier provider of quality education providing technology assisted instruction in Pearson, Georgia and surrounding areas. Competency-based learning of the highest quality that will qualify students for employment and/or advancement of jobs and prepare them for college and academic success.

High quality education for all students. High quality training for staff and workers within the school system. The Atkinson County Board of Education remains committed to the education of a nonracially identifiable student body and promote diversity and access without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. The goals of the center align hand in hand with their mission statement. They wish to provide the top education including technology in the southwest Georgia Area. The stakeholders for the center include: teachers, faculty, administration, technology support specialist, students, training, and connection or exploratory classes. The job titles of the faculty within the technology center are: technology coordinator, technology specialist, and the two software technicians. The technology coordinator and technology specialists handle all services that can be fixed remotely or deal with hardware that does not involve the computer. The two software technicians provide any additional help with the main computers in each classroom. The current status of the center is active, but because of recent budget cuts, the center is not able to employ as many specialists as needed. This team works extra hard to provide the quality assistance their faculty needs.

Technology Center Analysis

Center Activities: While visiting the Atkinson County Board of Education technology center, I had the pleasure of participating in some of the activities provided to teachers and staff. First, I got to participate in collaborative planning using computer based technology in the classroom and the development of units for the middle grades. The purpose of this activity was to provide quality technology essentials to teachers representing the ELA department within the Atkinson County Middle School. The audience was 6th-8th grade teachers. This training was provided at the center and was listed as a staff development technology course. This program allowed me to take vital information back to my school and demonstrate the successes of a program outside of our school system. I met with the Language Arts department and helped build or manipulate the technology resources available for the units being taught in the classroom. We looked for better flipcharts and were taught how to create better flipcharts using Active Inspire for the Activboards. Once we completed that portion of our training we were then taught how to incorporate Classroom Response Systems or (CPS) into our daily lessons to make learning more interactive and fun for the students. I really enjoyed this training and because our school system also has access to these devices, I was able to bring my knowledge back to Coffee County and provide optimal results using programs such as Study Island and USA Test Prep. These systems have really prepared our school for the Criterion Referenced Test we will take in the coming weeks. Another program the center provides is training for basic and advanced flipcharts created through Active Inspire. Most first year teachers are familiar with the basics, but this training provided an in depth way to create Flip Charts by providing hands on training with the Technology Coordinator. The audience varies each time the course is given and can range from

Technology Center Analysis

teachers in Pre-K through 12th grade. This class is offered twice a year and fills up quickly. Again, the purpose of this class is to teach the fundamentals of Flip Chart creation for lesson and technology purposes. It is always conducted at the technology center and provides optimal success for the faculty and staff to incorporate neat instruction into their classroom.

Technology Center Evaluation: Based on my observations and interviews with the technology department in Atkinson County I feel like the school operates on a minimal staff that could be detrimental to the work force if not reevaluated soon. After speaking with teachers and our survey, I do not feel like the staff is very confident in their technology abilities, nor are they pleased with the quick response time that is given when they have issues that cannot be resolved remotely. Trouble Trakker makes their relationship with their technology specialist impersonal and creates a wedge between teacher and facilitator. The Atkinson County Board of Education is very aware that the technology department is in desperate need for extra employees, but based on funding that will not be a possibility this year. They are currently looking into created classes online for teachers and staff to participate in to help fix their own problems without the need of a facilitator. This idea is an improvement for the current plan in action; however, it does not take into account the many teachers in Pearson, Georgia that are not computer literate and already struggle with technology in the classroom. I do not feel like online training will benefit them at all. Next, I really admire the goals and mission statement from the Atkinson County Board of Education. I think it directly pinpoints what they stand for and what they hope to accomplish in rural Pearson, Georgia.

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Finally, I do like the idea of the system information specialists. I think our county needs to encompass these types of employees as well. They are very knowledgeable about computer operations primarily in their own company. This allows their expertise to soar in the classroom and they are able to work quickly and efficiently. I would recommend the SIS help do a little more with other hardware in the classroom. Since they are so knowledgeable about the computers, they should easily be able to help teachers with things such as printers, projectors, and Activboards.

Part B: Monthly / Quarterly Report: Each year the school manages a budget put together by the Atkinson County Board of Education in relation to technology needs. Teachers and staff are not required to pay for any of

their training, but are required to attend. Teachers who come to training and class at the technology center are required to have a substitute teacher. These teachers are paid $55.00 to $75.00 a day, but are paid by the local board of education. The technology center did not purchase any new technology this year; all of their equipment is still relatively new. Most of the equipment is only four to five years old. Training at the technology center: Collaboration of ELA teachers grades 6th-8th Technology Training 12 Participants 18 Participants

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Appendix A:

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Appendix B: Technology Survey on http://www.surveymonkey.com 1. Approximately how long have you been teaching? A.) 1-3 years B.) 4-5 years C.) 6-10 years D.) 11-20 years E.) 20+ years 2. How do you rate your knowledge/skills in technology? A.) Below basic B.) Basic C.) Proficient D.) Advanced 3. Please identify which of the following educational technologies (software) YOU CURRENTLY USE in the classroom. Mark all that apply: A.) Email B.) Educational websites C.) Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint D.) Info Center E.) Chat F.) WebQuest G.) Social Networking H.) Google Docs I.) Kan Ed J.) Empowered Desktop K.) Learn 360 L.) Web based learning games M.)STAR reading N.) Reading Renaissance/Accelerated Reader O.) Google Earth 4. Please identify which of the following educational technologies (hardware) YOU CURRENTLY USE in teaching. Mark all that apply. A.) Teacher-run computer workstations B.) Student- run computer workstations C.) Overhead projector D.) DVD E.) ActivBoard F.) Writing or other computer lab G.) Digital Cameras 5. Please identify which of the following educational technologies (hardware) YOU CURRENTLY USE in teaching. Mark all that apply. A.) Teacher-run computer workstations B.) Student- run computer workstations

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C.) Overhead projector D.) DVD E.) Activboard F.) GPS Units 6. Which of the following educational technologies (software) would you be interested in learning more about? Mark all that apply. A.) Email B.) Educational Websites C.) Microsoft word, excel, PowerPoint D.) Chat E.) Webquest F.) Social networking G.) Google docs H.) Kan Ed I.) Empowered Desktop J.) Learn 360 K.) School website math L.) STAR reading M.)Google Earth 8. Have we missed any educational technology that youd like to learn more about? Please describe it here

Appendix C: Interview with technology coordinator 1.)Tell me about your vision of technology in education. . 2.)Describe the role of a technology coordinator in an educational environment. 3.)What would be your most important priorities for your first week of the new school year? 4.)How do you work closely with curriculum and instruction department and how do you develop that relationship? 5.) As the Technology Coordinator, how do you lead the way for teachers to embrace and use technology? 6.)Share your experience creating and managing a technology budget.

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