TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 1

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Technology Program Administrator Report

Melisa Eichele

Georgia Southern University

FRIT 7739

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Executive Summary
Alpharetta High School is located in s suburb of Atlanta, GA. Alpharetta High School opened in
2004. Alpharetta is a transplant area and the school is multi-cultural. There are approximately
2,150 students enrolled with a 16:1 student/teacher ratio. 11% of the students receive free or
discounted lunch. Alpharetta High School has 1:1 technology and each student has a Microsoft
Surface. The Media Center has a long list of written and technology resources. Fulton County
Schools supports on-line resources by subscribing to MacInvia and Safari Montage. The Media
Center hours support student access and there is a large amount of student patrons before school,
after school, and during the lunch periods. The Media Center Specialist is responsible for
managing the Media Center space, the resources, and educating the teachers on technology. She
has created a Vanguard team, to seek and implement new instructional technology into the
classrooms. The Media Center space consists of small group space and large group space.
Teachers are allowed to reserve space throughout the day and students are allowed to use the
space during lunch. There are technology resources the staff can check out such as cameras and
breakout boxes. There is technology equipment the teachers can use in the Media Center such as
the 3D printer and the poster maker. Patron traffic is high with both students and staff. The
circulation numbers are low for both written and technology items. The teachers and the Media
Specialist would like to see more classroom collaboration. The students are not aware of all the
on-line resources the Media Center provides. The administration, teachers, and the Media Center
Specialist should work together to create a mutual collaboration team. Marketing and promotion
should be a priority of the media center to educate the teachers and students on the many
resources in the library.
Chart

(Appendix C)

Methods
A variety of methods were used to obtain the information. Observation were done over five site
visits. The checklist and the results are included (Appendix A). The Media Specialist, a
classroom teacher, and a student was interviewed (Appendix B). Information was also obtained
on the Alpharetta High School website, the Media Center website, and The Fulton County
Technology plan. I consulted the calendar that records class visits, the monthly activity reports,
the student activity log, and the Surface help desk log to record one month of media center
activity.
Data Summary 3/1 3/31:

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Circulation Report: 86 (includes written and technology resources)

Surface Help: 32 Students
Library Attendance (not during open periods): 351
Library Space Reserved: 10 Teachers
Questionnaire Summary:
Media Center Specialist is responsible for acquiring, organizing, managing, and
distributing library resources. She is responsible for ensuring the Media Center meets the
needs of the students and staff. She leads the Vanguard technology team. She would like
to see more collaboration with the teachers. The Media Specialist is proud because she
managed the new remodeling project of the Media Center.
The teachers are satisfied with the new Media Center space. They are not aware of all the
resources the Media Center offers. The teacher s would like to see guest speakers in the
Media Center and they would like to see informational material about the Media Center
and the various resources.
The students are happy with the Media Center. Not all of the students are aware of the
Media Center website or the digital resources the Media Center offers.

Center Context and Goals

Technology Vision: The Fulton County Information Technology vision is to provide innovative
technologies, contemporary training models, and superior support that:
Promotes high achievement for all students,
promotes highly effective faculty and staff use of technologies to enhance curriculum,
assessment and instruction,
promotes community access to technologies that support and improve the learning
environment, and
provides timely, high-quality support, and improves systemic communication, and offers
diverse, flexible professional learning opportunities.

Technology Mission: The Fulton County Schools (FCS) Information Technology mission is to
support and improve student achievement by integrating technology into daily instruction and
administrative processes. Information Technology:
Promotes the seamless and effective use of technology to improve student learning
environments including the FCS virtual campus, video conferencing, video streaming and
web-based instruction;
Provides efficient administrative practices, student information solutions, planning and
research, and partnerships between home, school and community.

School Mission: Is to educate every student to be a responsible, productive citizen.

School Vision: Is for all students to learn to their full potential.

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We Believe In
Excellence
Trust and Honest Communication
Common Understanding
Personal Responsibility
Commitment
Academic Achievement
Measured Results
Continuous Improvement
Safe and Nurturing Environment
Involved Family, Community and Staff
Transparency and Accountability

Demographics: Alpharetta High School is located in s suburb of Atlanta, GA. Alpharetta High
School opened in 2004. Alpharetta is a transplant area and the school is multi-cultural. There are
approximately 2,150 students enrolled with a 16:1 student/teacher ratio. 11% of the students
receive free or discounted lunch. Last year the Media Center was completely updated to support
the 21st century classroom. The Alpharetta High School Media Center is a collaboration space for
teachers, students, and classrooms. The Media Center also offers a variety of technology
resources for classroom use. The high school has 1:1 technology with the Microsoft Surface. The
Media Center is responsible for offering help to the students and staff and replacing or
exchanging lost and damaged parts.
Policies: The Media Center is open to students and staff from 7:30a 3:45p. The classroom
hours are 8:20a 3:30p. Passes are required to enter the library during class time. Students are
allowed to use the library during the lunch period. Students are allowed to use the library before
and after school time. Scheduled classes have priority over Media Center visits.
Stakeholders: The staff, students, and the community are the stakeholders.
Key Personnel
Media Center Specialist: The Media Center Specialist is responsible for all of the written
and non-written materials. She manages the Media Center website and updates resources.
The Media Center Specialist works with the staff and the administration to support the
curriculum and the classroom. The Media Center is Specialist manages the media Center
budget. She has an Eds in Instructional Technology/Media Specialist and she is the leader
of the Vanguard technology group at the school.
Media Center Paraprofessional: The Media Center Paraprofessional supports the Media
Specialist and the students. The paraprofessional is a full time employee.
IT Support Personnel: There is one primary IT support person. He works with the Media
Specialist to troubleshoot technology issues and support the students with the Microsoft
Surface.
Students Support: Two different students are scheduled to work in the Media Center for
one class period each day. The peer helpers assist students and staff.

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Help desk: Technologically Enhanced Student Learning Assistants (TESLA) is a

technology group of students at the school. Students from the group rotate through the
Media Center to offer technology support.
Center Activities/Resources
Open Lunch: Students are allowed to spend their lunch hour in the Media Center. The
students read, use the computers, print information, use the focus rooms, and charge their
Microsoft Surface. The students also obtain help with their Microsoft Surface.
Anchor Time: On Tuesdays and Thursdays the Alpharetta High School students are on a
modified schedule. Anchor Time is a 45 minute period between the two different lunch
periods. The Media Center is used for different Anchor Time activities. Two different
groups receive remediation and extra support from teachers and staff. An extracurricular
technology group meets in the project room.
Help Desk: The Media Center is the first contact for students who need help with their
Microsoft Surface. The Media Center staff troubleshoots issues and replaces broken/lost
parts.
Focus Rooms: There are five focus rooms in the Media Center. Students and staff can
schedule a time to use the small room equipped with an interactive television and
equipment to project the Microsoft Surface.
Project Room: One large, private room with tables and chairs. The room can support
approx. 40 people. This room can be reserved for a variety of meetings.
Media Center Space: The Media Center has three specific areas in the common room
with interactive televisions. The students and staff can reserve the space.
Surface training/check out: The Media Center Specialist schedules time twice a week to
work with new students. The students are given training on the Microsoft Surface and
assigned a complete kit which includes the surface, case, pen, and charger.
Vanguard Team: The Media Center Specialist has created a Vanguard team for the school.
The team meets once a month and they discuss instructional technology options for the
classroom.
Technology Training for teachers: The Media Center Specialist trains teachers on
technology resources such as MacInvia and Safari Montage.
Written/Video Resources: The Media Center has fiction, non-fiction, reference books,
magazines, biographies, and graphic novels. The Media Center also keeps copies of the
current text books. The Media Center also has movies.
Lamination Machine: The lamination machine is stored in the Media Center. The supplies
are bought with the Media Center budget.
Poster Maker: The poster maker software and printer are stored in the Media Center. The
supplies are bought with the Media Center budget.
Breakout Box: The classrooms can borrow breakout boxes to teach lessons, and support
curriculum.
Makerbot 3D Printer: The 3d printer is stored in the Media Center. The supplies are
bought with the Media Center budget.
3D Camera: Staff can borrow the 3D camera.
Ipad Carts: Staff can borrow the Ipad Carts.

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Wireless Speakers: Staff can borrow the wireless speakers.

Xerox Mobile Scanner: Staff can borrow the mobile scanner.
Wireless Microphone: Staff can borrow the wireless microphone.
Wireless PA system. Staff can borrow the wireless PA system.
Video Recorders: The media has different recording options the staff can borrow.
DVD/TV: Staff can borrow a TV with a DVD player.
Evaluation
The Alpharetta High School Media Center is equipped with a large amount of written and
technology resources. The Media Specialist is involved and knowledgeable. There is active
communication between the Media Specialist and the teachers. The students receive help with
the Surface, printing materials, borrowing materials, using the computers, and using the space.
The Media Center is making an active effort to The Media Center could support the classroom
curriculum and work with the teachers to enhance lessons. The Media Center needs to market
themselves and their resources to the staff, students, and parents. Fulton County Schools is a
charter school system. Each school has flexibility with the budget and their resources. Because of
the charter system the principal has the authority to create guidelines for the media Center that
benefit the school. Alpharetta High School has the tools and the desire to create a collaboration
team with the Media Center.
Recommendation
The Media Center has the resources and the staff to adequately support Alpharetta High School.
The Media Center Specialist and the teachers would like to see more collaboration. The Media
Center Specialist would like to see more patrons and more circulation activity. The teachers
would like to be educated on the resources the library offers. The Media Center Specialist should
attend department meetings and offer support. The library should host extracurricular activities
such as a reading club or creative writing group. I also recommend a complete list of Media
Center resources both digital and physical. There should be weekly or monthly marketing
information to educate the teachers on the Media Center resources. I recommend the following
types of lessons be taught on the Media Center:
Lessons taught in the Media Center to students:
Research
Plagiarism
Using google documents and forms
Using one-note and MacInvia
Classroom curriculum support lessons.
Lessons taught in the Media Center to the teachers;
Safari Montage
Media Center Website & MacInvia
Technology Resources and lesson ideas.
The Fulton County technology vision specifies using technology to enhance curriculum and
students achievement. The organizational chart shows that the principal is the primary leader for

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the Media Specialist and the staff. I believe the Media Center could become the information hub
for the entire school.

Appendix A
1 Focus rooms are used by students and staff. Observed
2 Project room is used by students and staff. Observed
3 Students used the Media Center resources such as computers, Observed
printers, written resources, and on-line catalog.
4 Teachers used Media Center common area such as large TV, group Observed
space, written materials and technology resources.
5 Students checked out and returned books. Observed
6 Teachers received technology assistance from the Media Center. Observed
7 Students received help with the Microsoft Surface. Observed
8 Students received help with other technology. Observed
9 Staff members checked out written materials No
1 Staff members checked out technology materials. Observed
0
11 The Media Specialist assisted the students with research. No
1 The Media Specialist provided remedial instruction or worked with No
2 students.
1 The physical space accommodates students and staff. Yes
3
1 The Media Center hours accommodate students and staff Yes
4
1 The Media Center had high traffic during the open times (before Yes
5 school, after school, lunch).

Appendix B
Media Center Specialist:
What are your mission and goals for the Media Center?
What are your main responsibilities?
Which responsibility takes the most of your time?
What activities or programs do you host in the Media Center?
What is one thing you are most proud of in your Media Center?
Where would you like to improve in the Media Center?

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Teacher:
How often do you use the Media Center for your classroom?
How often do you use the Media center for technology/professional guidance?
What is your favorite resource/part of the Media Center?
What would you like to see improved in the media center?
What can the Media Center Specialist do to increase traffic?
Are you aware of all the resources the Media Center offers?
How can the Media Center educate you on all the resources they offer?
What can the Media Center do to support your classroom?
What can the Media Specialist do to increase patrons/classrooms from your class?

Student:
How often do you visit the library?
What are your reasons for visiting the library?
Have you ever visited the media center website?
Are you aware of all the on-line resources on the Media Center Website?
Do you think the Media Center accommodates students?
Does your teacher reference the Media Center or suggest using the media Center?
What could the Media center do to increase student traffic?

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Appendix C

Superintendent

Chief Information
Officer

Director: Director: Office of

Infrastructure Informational
and Network Technology

School District Educational

Help Desk Technology
Coordinator

School IT Principal
Specialist

Education Media Specialist

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Technology
Coordinator
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Coordinator of
Curriculum and
Instruction
Media Center
Paraprofessional

Student Support

Resources
Alpharetta High School. (2017). http://school.fultonschools.org/hs/alpharetta/Pages/default.aspx/
Alpharetta High School Media Center (2017). http://ahsmediacenter.weebly.com/index.html
Fulton County School District, (2012-2015). Fulton County Schools Technology Plan.
http://www.fultonschools.org/en/divisions/it/Documents/2012_2015%20Final%20tech
%20plan.pdf

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