Blog Assignment 2

For my school, they may use a selection form, but I have never seen one. I have only been there one full year, so I do not know if I just missed it, or I have not been there long enough and considered too insignificant to have any input. (That was kind of a joke!) I do know, however, that when we are ordering supplied for the upcoming year, there is a section in which we can order specific software for ourselves. It is where I could order Geometer's Sketchpad and other programs like that, but in terms of having input on an overall software selection, I do not know if we have a form like that. I'm sure we had to at one point simply because we have a bunch of standard software on any computer in the school (at least all of the ones that I have come into contact with, and that has been quite a few). We have the standard Microsoft Office options, and I know that only a few computers/labs have the Microsoft VB software for my programming course. That is a lab license I believe.

In terms of having a process for making certain software standard, it seems like the only logical choice for any company, schools included. Being able to log into any computer in the school and having access to the same word processing program, the same video program, etc, makes everything that much more seemless. Also, for teachers who do a lot of work at home, it makes it easier to transfer files from home to school. For example, if I create a test at home, I know which program to use because I know which program the school has. so I can email it to myself and edit it in my classroom, in the computer lab, on a laptop, etc. It would also be very easy for the technology coordinator to troubleshoot if they are using the same program for each computer. The coordinator would have to be an expert on almost every piece of software unless the school orders a standard license for the whole school. Finally, in terms of cost, I'm sure it is cheapter to order 'in bulk' as opposed to ordering many different types of software. Having a school license for a particular program would be cheaper than ordering ten of a certain program, fifty of another program, etc.

Chapter 1

This chapter was a little bit overwhelming in terms of the job that I am eventually going to have to do. While I was reading it I was like "I don't know if I can handle this!", but then the checklist on page 13 reassured me that all of those apply to me (except the super-organized thing, which I'm working on). I don't know how the technology coordinator in my school doesn't go crazy sometimes with the amount of people who run to her and call her and email her, etc. I do, however, like being a leader and I really enjoy learning. I think that having the knowledge for this job is going to be very exciting, and simply being able to know so much more about technology is going to help me out in all aspects of life.

A few things that I found interesting were when they talked about different types of coordinators. First, they talked about how some districts hire a 'computer guy' who is an excellent technician, but has no educational training. This would limit them in terms of setting up curriculum, helping teachers with lessons, etc. The other end is true where it would be unwise to hire a straight-educator with no formal technological training. The other point that was made is that job descriptions change from district to district. A small district may have one coordinator who takes care of EVERYTHING, while a large district will have a coordinator who mainly does the troubleshooting and planning, and does not have time to be fully involved in other processes.