EDCO 524 Assignment

Hello Professor Gilbreath,

As you can tell I haven't "blogged" in a while but I'm happy to post my assignment.

"Being a Tech Leader"


For individuals to more ready to use technology at my worksite I believe the solution can be narrowed down to one concpet-training, training, training. To steal from my former professor, Brian Jones, if teachers do not know how or are afraid of the technology, they won't use it. For a long time my son was afraid for this toy:

but now that he knows how it works and how to use it, let the fun ensue! At our school there doesn't seem to be a huge need for a equipment but rather the ability to know how to use it. Further more, just because something looks cool, makes funny noises, or has flashing light does not mean it is better. For example, some teachers have been resistant to using electronic gradebooks. This is out of fear of losing information, the learning curve involved, and let's face it using paper and pen for grading some is lighter than a computer or laptop, if you lose your information at least you know it's your fault and not a dumb computer, and no learning required! Technology should provide convenience and new and better way to do something.

It making products such as presentations and handouts I need to keep in mind to keep things in a low context so that users can access the information and it be applicable. Teachers are very busy people and nothing worse that sitting through a long in-service about methods or technologies that cannot right away. If I am speaking to teacher who either has a solution to problem that they like, I have to present something new that help them do their task easier, faster, or at least it contribute some added functionality to their present program. If a teacher is afraid of the computer already, I need to be careful not to scare them off.