shanestevens.net » Education

Technology frustration

Shane — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:57:39 +0000

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?

PLN’s and my classroom site

Shane — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:35:51 +0000

Twitter is proving to be an outstanding resource as both my personal networking tool, much better than FaceBook I must say, and my Professional Learning Network. Through experts like Vikki Davis, Eric Langhorst, and Wesley Fryer, just to name a few, I have been exposed to techniques and tools that I otherwise would never have experienced. Their knowledge and expertise in the world of instructional technology is awe inspiring, and truly motivational.

Thus, I am going to begin a total overhaul of my classroom site to better utilize the tools that I have already posted, and create a proper place for those that I am about to create. Like most of my years in my current school district, a new year brings the opportunity to create new courses. At times it is disheartening, but I must admit that the addition of History Through Conspiracies and History Past and Present has excited me with the technology possibilities (more to come on this later).

Grant writing blues

Shane — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:49:43 +0000

As I am in desperate need of a SmartBoard, I finally got the support of the administration to try to acquire one via a grant. I have to admit, I really do not like writing grants. Call it nerves, call it lack of experience, or call it laziness it still equates to the same thing….I want the money.