Live Blogging, Technology Cordinators

Today a guest speaker from Grace Christian Academy came in to talk to the class about being a technology coordinator and how that role plays into professional development. The presentation started off with a little bit of professional background. The most intriguing fact from the speakers past was the fact the guest speaker had in fact joined the Marines as an avenue to learn about technology. The speaker stated that at the time she joined the Marines, the idea of looking at technology from an educational standpoint did not even cross her mind.  Below are some comments and highlights from the presentation.

• Technology Coridniator was not her goal from the start, it ended up by chance by means of implementing an after school computer program as a result of lack of school technology. 
• The school the guest speaker worked at allowed for her personal envision to be melded together with what the school had in mind. It was a hand in hand cooperation. 
• She created most of the policies with the help of other resources that the school used. 
• Professional development started once she had to work with the teachers
• initial role of being hired was to just work with the teachers, not train the other teachers. 
•  Networking is a vital role of a technology coordinator (sharing resources among schools)
• Technology integration is good among all grade levels, especially in the upper levels because it connects to real world experiences. 
• Technology integration goes hand in hand with teacher training and professional developement
• place close attention to learning curves
• hands on instruction
•  integration technology specialist

•  Professional Training 
• get teachers, principals, and adminsitrators on board. 
• Teachers will not learn on their own (internal and external motivation)
• Dedication (DUH!)
• willingness to teach teachers
•  TIME
• willingness to train after normal school hours (off hours)

•  Technology Resources For Teachers
•  School Wide Blog
• updated once a month
• a go to place for teachers
• free resources (webinars)
• email subscription
• nonabrasive way to learn or "Ask" for help
• www.freetech4teachers.com 

An overview thought about today's presentation leads me to think that technology in schools is more than just a mere computer and few clicks on a website. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that go into play for normal day of computer use and technology integration.  I thought the speaker did a really good job explaining in detail particular areas that she deals with as taking on such a large task at her school. She expressed over and over that though she is the key person for technology for the classroom, everyone in the school has a link to how technology is used in one way or another. She pretty much gives the impression that with the way that technology is becoming more and more common in everyday functions, in schools it should not be a fear for teachers. The end result is that technology is not really for teachers, despite it makes the day easier, it is really for the students. Technology exposure and integration helps students learn and succeed in academics.