Coordinating Technology

Technology requires skill, patience, and wisdom to coordinate into an existing system. As a result of technological challenges, I am convinced of the following:

1. Two heads are better than one.
2. Technology requires a backup plan.
3. Clear vision is a prerequisite for success.
4. Technology planninng is vital for successful implementation.
5. Never freak out; technology will only laugh at you.

Point One:

I have encountered so many new and unusual technological problems. Sometimes, I have been able to solve them but some problems were so perplexing that I needed to consult others. Thank God for the 'tech gurus' that I can ask. I am learning how much more I will need to learn to effectively coordinate technology systemically.

Point Two:

Technology is like an evil mistress who fails you at the most important times. Whether trying to get all computers online at once, give a presentation, or clear a paper jam from the printer, technology is bound to fail at the most undesirable time. A backup plan must always be available. Sometimes, we may need to revert to B.G.(Before Google) methods of problem solving.

Point Three:

A clear and realistic vision of the capabilities of technology must be assessd and evaluated. Important questions include: What am I trying to do? What purpose will technology serve? What will technology implementation look, feel, and sound like? Is everyone benefitting from technology? Is there a suggestion box available? What skills are needed to effectively use the technology? Is assistive technology needed? How will technology use be assessed? Where are the aspirin?

Point Four

Planning is essential for success. Failure to plan is planning to fail. Take the time to develop a plan to turn a vision into reality. Follow a template. Follow through. Realize that you are never finished making improvements.

Point Five

Above all, realize that the technology imps will decide to visit occassionally. A network will slow down and burp when needed for training. Software may seem to have its own mind and exercise its right to freeze at the most inappropriate time. Teaching others to use technology brings out the worst in technology. Laugh and remain calm through technology crises. He who laughs first...

The Value of Vision- Near and Far

Vision is a necessary part of any journey. Close your eyes and walk to the door of the room that you are in without stumbling over or walking into anything. Now, keep your eyes locked on an object that is right in front of you. Without taking your eyes off of the object, ball up a piece of paper and try to throw it in the garbage. Next, stare out of a window and name everything that is in the room. How did you do?

The exercise above is an example of how important vision is in everyday life. When planning for technology, vision is critical for success. Near-sighted vision prevents large outcomes from occurring by placing too much emphasis on small accomplishments in growth. Far-sighted vision negates the importance of having important elements in place that ensure success.

Vision, expectation, and planning must co-exist for technology integration to be successful in education. 'Techno-mania'(rushing into technology) is tempting but also part of the recipe for failure. A new computer, device, gadget, or peripheral may be exciting to watch or use but effective integration requires more than just placing technology into the hands of unskilled users who have not yet analyzed the anticipated result they hope to achieve.

Technology is a tool, not a toy...

Time 2 Blog!

It is not that I have had nothing to blog about during my hiatus but more that I have not TAKEN the time to blog. After relocating to Chicago at the end of August, my life has been spinning faster than I can run! A new position as Technology Coordinator has been wrought with challenges and successes that are too numerable to list. I believe that the next blog entries that I make will be a glimpse of the struggles and triumphs of this era of my life. My new motto: Time 2 Blog!

Art Education + Technology =???

This claymation movie is an interesting use of technology. What is it communicating to us?

The Future of Educational Technology

A middle school in Boston is already using educational technology to boost student attendance, motivation, interest, and academic performance. This article details how technology will become an essential component of the public and private educational system by 2020. According to the article, the number of teachers expected to be employed as classroom teachers will fall but the number of high school students enrolled in online classes will rise.


http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/tech-usa-education-technology.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Google vs. Brain Use

I recently read an article about how much of our brain is no longer used as a result of Internet use. Since we know "if we don't use it, we lose it", we must find the balance between technology and cognitive processing. We do not want to become so dependent on technology that we are no longer able to process information or problem-solve without technology. This article addresses the problem but does not really offer solutions. I guess that is up to us to figure out...

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200807/google

Technology Challenges

I have been visiting friends and family this week and am amazed at how we learn to live with the problems and challenges of technology. i have spent endless hours clearing malware from the computers of my friends and family. Living with a slow computer has become acceptable by many people. I take it for granted that everyone is knowledgeable about computers and networks since they have been a part of mainstream society for about two decades.

This raises a few questions. How do we know when we are getting the maximum benefit out of technology? Also, how can we share technological skills, knowledge, and expertise on a wider scale? Can technology be a limiting factor when applied to education?

I will seek out the answers to these questions during this year.