Technology InterviewChristina Hosford, M.Ed.

ESOL TeacherLithia Springs High School

What is technology?

“Technology is change” (Williams, M. 2010)

The Man with the Plan

Michael Williams: Instructional Technician for Lithia Springs High School, Douglas County Schools.Bachelor’s in Information Systems18 years of experienceMicrosoft and Cisco Certification

Job Responsibilities

• Provides technical assistance to departmental users with personal computer problems.  Responsibilities include providing centralized personal computer and network support, developing computer configurations, and ordering personal computer hardware and software packages.  

Technology Needs to be:

Easy to Integrate: Must interface with existing programs.Relevant: Teachers must find new technology useful and meaningful to successfully integrate it.Meaningful: Teachers and students want simple efficient technology that is easy to use.

In Focus: A success story

The In-focus has allowed teachers and students to have direct access to the internet.Teachers can use the internet to make learning engaging, rich, and relevant to students.Educational websites such as National Geographic offer valuable learning tools.

Technological Literacy

Defined as, “Knowing how to use technology.”Learn the basicsKeep up with changes Become an advocate for change

Tech KidsTechnology should be used every chance you get. Kids like technology; teachers can engage and capture their attention through email and even texting. Phones; Integrating technology involves kids more actively. Teachers should be encouraged to text kids questions for homework.

Key Players“The Key Players are the people that hold the money.”School Board Members make the final decisions.Students, parents, and teachers can make recommendationsTechnology support staff must “sell” to the B.O.E.

Principles that guide

integrationInnovation: Will it make a positive change?Ease of use: Is the technology easy to integrate? Does it interface well with existing hardware and software?The newest latest thing is not always needed

Questions to consider

Is the price right? Will it interface successfully with the existing technology?Will it make learning more meaningful for students?Will it prepare students for success outside of the school setting?

Preparing to integrate

Perform trial runs; have a few teachers use it and provide feedbackReceive quotes from several vendorsResearch how other counties have dealt with integration.

• Provide training for staff, teachers, and students.

ChallengesGetting teachers to accept change; learning something new Limited county budgetPeople are now dependent on technologyTeaching students how to differentiate between validated internet sources, versus faulty ones.

Internet Safety• Teaching Internet safety; teach

students to be responsible. Their electronic footprint follows them for a lifetime. Poor choices can lead to ruined reputations, infringements on privacy, and unwanted attention from predators.

• Safety training should be provided for staff, teachers, students and parents on an on-going basis.

References

Interview with Michael Williams, August 19, 2010 at Lithia Springs High School.