Kathleen Gilmore

EDU214 Fall 2017

9/28/17

Integrating Technology into The Classroom: Part2 B

I was fortunate enough to get an interview with an assistant principal at Desert Pines

High School on how his school integrates technology. James Charlton is in his first year as

assistant principal at Desert Pines. He served two years prior to this one as dean for the school,

and nine years with CCSD. This was an interesting perspective, since the answers were coming

from an administrator. I appreciated having different questions, and a new point of view,

detailing how integrating technology has its benefits and challenges within a school.

First, I started by asking if the school and the district have a technology plan, to which he

said there is one in Desert Pines. He explained that the principal delegates to the group, he has

assigned to create the technology plan, and they report everything to him. Included in the

technology plan is what technology is in every classroom, the number of iPad carts, iPads,

Chromebook carts, Chromebooks, LCD projectors, and smart boards on campus. Also, in the

plan it states where new equipment is needed, and how to upkeep, or update the software. We

discussed how the decisions are made as to which technologies should be purchased, and where

to place them in the school. He said that it is a collaborative effort between teacher, students,

support staff, and administration. However, the final purchase request is submitted with the

appropriate rationale. Once those items are purchased the technology team steps in along with

the rest of the staff, and the items are placed accordingly. It is encouraging to hear that

collaborative efforts work so well in this school to ensure students have the tools they need.
 Then, I wanted to know what kind of process a teacher would have to go through in order

to get a technology they wanted in their classroom. He explained that is was up to the teacher to

do their research on cost, provide sufficient reason for the use, and finally submit a purchase

request. I asked if a problem arises with a technology in the classroom, where does the teacher

get support and how long does it take to resolve. He answered, every teacher has a supervisor, or

site based technician at the school. Those problems can either be solved in hours, or however

long it takes to order new equipment and repair it. While on the subject of teachers use of

technology in the school, I wanted to know what kind of professional development courses or

workshops are available for them. More importantly to keep up with that technology, how often

is that development offered to teachers? To which he replied, professional development is

available for those who want it mainly through the districts Pathlore platform. If no PD is

available through Pathlore, then at DPHS we have teachers that offer PD on different forms of

technology. They are offered on a needs basis or as per teachers request. I think it is important to

know that assistance is offered to students, and staff whenever it is requested.

Mr. Charlton emphasized that there is a technology committee at Desert Pines High

School, and is actively involved in the decision-making process. However, all final decisions

rest with the budget administrator and school principal. Also, events are held to involve the

community with the decision process and usage of technology. The school organization team,

and the parent advisory committee get together to discuss the best options for the school and its

students. These groups are made up of parents and the staff at the school and its students. This

led to the questions; what are the schools best features related to technology in learning? Also,

what is the schools greatest problem or challenge? With admiration, he explained, the best

feature is how quick the turnaround is for feedback to our students. Additionally, the ability to
progress monitor, and get an understanding of where the students are with their material is

another benefit. The biggest problem, is ensuring that the technology in the classroom is being

used with fidelity. When asked if he felt a digital divide exists among schools in the school

district; he did not see a divide at this time. However, he followed by saying, as schools take

more and more ownership of the budget; this could cause a greater divide based on the school

decisions. I am glad he shed light on that, as it is a current topic of discussion. I asked what his

thoughts were on how the school and teachers ensure students have an equal opportunity to learn,

and use computers while enrolled at Desert Pines. Confidently, he replied, they will continue to

provide teachers with the professional development on the use of technology and having

adequate computers available in the necessary classrooms. From what I gathered, the procedures

put in place for technology in the school are managed very well at Desert Pines.

I ended the interview by asking, if he noticed a difference in the development and success

in the student body over the years with the use of technology. To which he responded; he did

notice more testing online, and more reporting that makes it easier for us as a whole to monitor

students growth. Also, I wondered with the use of technology is there any pressure on the

teachers who do not come from the era of technology? Honestly, he answered, there is always

going to be pressure as we move to a more technology based society. However, they continue to

offer professional development to those teachers who are not familiar with the technology

currently in use. From his standpoint as a classroom teacher, technology only made it easier

within the classroom. Some examples of how technology helps him as an assistant principal

include; Google Drive, Google Docs, Shared Docs, Google hangouts. The preferred method of

communication is Email on his laptop as opposed to paper for messages and observation notes.

This is understandable as technology is just a natural part of everyday use currently.

 This interview was a big eye opener; it showed more of the pressure technology has

through having to keep up with it. I am impressed at the level of procedure that goes along with

maintaining a functional technically sound school. Assistant principal Charlton was very

knowledgeable. I had no idea that there are so many resources available for teachers and student

that need technology development. The committees made up of parents and staff changed my

outlook on the way a school integrates technology. To know that each school considers the input

of the people in all areas technology reaches; it is reassuring as a future educator, and as a parent

with students in Clark county school district.

 Administrator Interview
1. Does the school and the district have a technology plan? Who creates the plan and how
are they related to each other? What are some of the items included in the technology plan?
(review the schools website) Yes, the school and school district have technology plans. At the
school level, it is up to the principal to determine who will be in charge of the plan. Then, a team
is developed, who work together to develop the technology plan. Which is reported to the
principal. Items included in the technology plan would include but not limited to, 1) What
technology is in every classroom, 2) the number of ipad carts, ipads, chromebook carts,
chromebooks, LCD projectors, and smart boards there are campus, 3) where new equipment is
needed, and 4) the upkeep/updating of the software.
2. How are the decisions made as to which technologies should be purchased and where
they should be placed in the school? The decision was to what technologies should be
purchased come from every avenue (teachers, students, support staff, and administration).
However, to finalize the purchase a request must be submitted with rationale as to why the
purchase is being made. Once the items are purchased, it is up to the technology team, teachers,
and administration to determine the best fit for the technology that was just purchased.
3. If a teacher would like a technology in their classroom, what is the process they must
follow to purchase it? They would need to research the cost of the technology, provided the
rationale as to how the technology would be used and the upkeep/updating of the technology,
and then submit a purchase request.
4. If a problem arises with a technology in the classroom, who does the teacher turn to for
support? How long does it usually take to get a problem resolved? The teacher would turn to
their direct supervisor or Site based tech at the school level. Each problem has it own unique
turnaround, from hours to however long it takes to purchase necessary equipment to repair the
technology in the classroom.
5. What kind of professional development courses or workshops are available for teachers
to learn how to use hardware and software? How often are they offered to teachers?
Professional development is available for those who want it mainly through the districts pathlore
platform. If no PD is available through pathlore, then at DPHS we have teachers that offer PD
on different forms of technology. They are offered on a needed basis or as a basis in which
teachers request.
6. Is there a technology committee active in the school? What input does it have on
technology decision-making? Yes, there is a tech committee at DPHS. The tech committee is
actively involved in the process of decision making process. However, all final decisions rest
with the budget administrator and school principal.
7. Are there any events or activities that involve the community with the schools
technology? During our SOT and PAC meetings this information is presented to the parents and
families.
8. What are the schools best features related to technology in learning? What is the
schools greatest problem or challenge? Best feature is how quick the turnaround is for
feedback to our students. Additionally, we are able to progress monitor them and get an
understanding of where the students are with their material. The biggest problem, is ensuring
that the technology in the classroom is being used with fidelity.
9. Do you feel that a digital divide exists among schools in the school district? At this time, I
feel that is not a divide, but as schools take more and more ownership of the budget; this could
cause a greater divide based on the school decisions.
10. How can the schools and teachers ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to
learn how to use computers while enrolled in school? By continuing to provide teachers with
the PD on to use the technology and having adequate computers available in the necessary
classrooms.
11. How long have you been an administrator? Have you noticed a difference in the
development and success in the student body over the years with the use of technology? I
am entering my 3rd year as an administrator. I have noticed more testing online and more
reporting that makes it easier for us as a whole to monitor students growth. This I feel has
eliminate some of the issue with teacher grading paper tests and allows teacher to see students
growth.
12. With the use of technology is there any pressure on the teachers who do not come from
the era of technology? And does it make teaching easier for those who are familiar with
technology? These is going to be pressure as we move to a more technology based society. We
need to continue to offer PD to those teachers who are not familiar with the technology that we
are using. From my standpoint as a classroom teacher it made my life easier to use technology
and how I utilized it within my classroom.
13. Can you give an example of how technology helps you as an assistant principal? There
have been many ways that technology has assisted me in my role as an AP. A short list of what I
use on the daily
1) Google Drive
2) Google Docs
3) Shared Docs
4) Laptops (vs. Paper observations Notes)
5) Email
6) Google Hangouts

*my questions highlighted in blue