shanestevens.net

What is one to do when the school filter system refuses to allow you to utilize the tools needed to make class interactive? I have been banging my head against a wall since changing school districts, but have somehow been able to work a solution to most problems. That is until now. A couple of years ago a district employee was found to have inappropriate material on their computer, so much so that the legal system stepped in and the educator was stripped of their license just this year. As a result, technology has been put in what can only be described as “Big Brother” mode.

I can no longer use Google tools at school. That is right, no Google documents, no reader, nothing. So much for collaboration. It is so bad in fact that I couldn’t stream a session of the US Congress into my classroom. We meet resistance at every turn, and what was once used is no longer an option.

We have one computer lab, zero laptops or mobile labs, and it is a battle to get to use it at any given time. I have a teacher computer in my classroom, but nothing else. My desire to enhance learning is doomed to remain a desire.

Our technology coordinator does the best he can, or at least based on the information I have he does, but is dealing with the fact that we are a poorer district and that he has to cover the district legally.

What is one to do when in technology jail?

Filed under: Education