http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=51522 Blogen-us Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:10:35 AMMon, 17 Nov 2008 10:10:35 AM http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=515222008-11-16 USA is going through what UK has been going through for a number of years (mainly due to high investment from UK government into IT). But reality is that for ICT to work in education you need support so usa needs to learn from UK and not make some of the mistakes we have made. I also agree with the comment of better communication. This has only really started to come in the UK in last few years but IT staff are no longer just people who just change a unit every so often they need to have an educational focus. --- Russell Dyas: IT Professional, Education Technologist, blogger & public commentator on ICT in education. EduGeek.net The Educational IT Professionals' Life Line http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=515222008-02-01 MOUSE is a nonprofit (currently working in NYC, Chicago, Connecticut and California) that runs MOUSE Squad, a student-driven technical support help desk program that addresses the technology needs of underserved public schools. MOUSE believes that students can be an important part of the technology support solution AND obtain tremendous educational benefits--soft skills (leadership, teamwork, prooject management, communications) and technology skills. While we believe students can be an important part of effectively use of technology for teaching and learning, this also requires leadership from the Principal, comprehensive professional development for the teachers, and ongoing budgeting to support a robust infrastructure. http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=515222008-01-16 Hey there, There is a great disconnect between Technology and Instruction. All of the IT jobs are tied directly to education. Somehow, in the education world, there is this great perception that in order to do most anything at a school you must have a teaching degree. In our state, WI, we have a DPI code 92, Instructional Technology Coordinator. This is the person who is "in-charge" of technology. There is this perception that if you are good at using technology, you also know how it works. Schools (most) do not consider the skills and industry certifications necessary to do technology things well. They are most concerned with "keeping it in the family" And if they do hire a person with some technology skills, they expect to hire an MCSE, CCIE, CLE, and CCISP and pay them $38K per year. I will say that my district is one of the rare exceptions. If you are looking to work at a K-20 institution, you must require 3 things. 1. Must be paid okay. Use the current technology industry standards for pay an not the "This is what we pay support staff" answer. If schools are going to hire good technology people, they have to pay what the market holds. 2. Don't ask your IT staff to walk on water! (Except during the winter :) ) We can't work 30 hours per day, 8 days a week, turn Apple programs into DOS programs, all while keeping the servers, phone system, desktop workstation, internet, etc working. I think this is the point of this article. 3. Finally, KEEP YOUR IT STAFF TRAINED!!!! What our school has realized is the reality in that after 3 years, the IT skills I posses will be nearly useless. In fact, if I do not keep up my industry certifications, in 3 years, the relevence of my skillset will dimish to the point where I will only be qualified to be the night shift supervisor at Wendy's. An IT person that brings little value on the open market brings little value to your school. Tom http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=515222008-01-14 Where are all these districts that need help in the "technology integration" realm? I am constantly looking for such positions but never finding them. I would love to work for a large district and train teachers on integration, (preferably in Eastern Kansas). My specialty is tech integration in mathematics. There needs to be a site somewhere that puts all these needs in one place, for the benefit of the employer and employee both. If there is such a site, please excuse my ignorance but please also inform me. Thanks, P.S. Open-Source and the many Web2.0 apps. are becoming very instrumental in solving many of these issues. http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=515222008-01-11 Forrester Research is missing a digit. If the tech person cost is $142 per PC per year for every 50 PC's that's only $7100 per year per hired Technologist. Try $1420 per PC per year for Technologist staffing and you'll arrive at the $1.4 million figure quoted. http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=515222008-01-10 Academic Consulting will provide access by all students to electronic textbook content and laptop computers which is the answer to effectively engage and interest students in the STEM workforce of the future. Computer access to the Internet has made it possible for students and teachers to search, copy, read, respond, communicate, and store vast quantities of information with ease. Electronic textbook content and the provisioning of laptop computers will also level the learning process for the disadvantaged and disabled students and will serve to motivate all students in an exciting method of learning. The ultimate project design will permit the educational system to evolve into the electronic age which will automatically align itself with the work place. Teachers will be able to provide specialized distance learning programs readily available as tools for structured individual aid so as to challenge gifted students and support disadvantaged and disabled students in need of additional help. Full system hardware and software maintenance will be provided in order to afford maximum support for continued operation and training. http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?&i=515222008-01-09 We use 125 Sun Rays from Sun Microsystems that require nearly zero desktop support! If one breaks, just, replace it in 5 mins & staff/student continues working with no loss of work! I support 10 servers (solaris/windows) & network etc., & teach small groups of students as well - 3 days per week. Stateless, virtual desktops are the way to go! Happy computing!