Comments on: Have you hugged your tech today?

By: Mr. G

Mr. G — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 03:35:46 +0000

Teresa – I am grinning from ear to ear. I love it! I think your comment about not being lazy is perfect! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been called out of class for a computer “emergency” just to tell the person – Read your screen. Do what it tells you… All they know is that an error message has popped up, so they must “get help”. Fear is a big part of that too – but human nature some times kicks in, and if we can pass the buck, we will. I’m just extremely sorry that your profession usually takes the brunt of it. If it wasn’t for ITS (and other educational tech support organizations) our computers would be nothing more then glorified typewriters – rather then the educational powerhouses they are. From my profession to yours – THANK YOU!

By: Teresa Page

Teresa Page — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:36:59 +0000

I am a technical analyst with ITS and have been with the district for 16 years. I have served in the classroom, office and tech positions throughout these years and have great insight into school culture. One of the biggest challenges is not the technology those challenges are always solved. Lazy isn’t quite the term I’d put to people who must stay on top of the fast pace changing technology, problem solve on a daily basis, read constantly manuals, white papers, research and investigate, search for solutions, test and retest, develop ideas are innovative, project managers, schedule and manage people/users and resources. I would however pose the question that when was the last time, in a persons search for the answer to a question, did they use the Help menu located on the upper right hand corner of the program bar? Or maybe even google the question? Yah I’ve hear lazy too…the answer is never no rather let me help you do what you need done in the most effective and efficient way. It may look a little different then you first had in mind but we’ll get there.

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:43:12 +0000

Well said…
I’ve had a lot of good experiences as a teacher in the same ways you describe, Shane. The value of inviting your tech into a classroom when things are going well sends a very powerful message…most only ever come into a classroom when things are broken. Seeing how students are engaged when the class is buzzing with excitement will certainly bring both the teachers and the tech’s satisfaction. As your frustrations described above illustrate, the best-laid plans to integrate technology don’t add up to a hill of floppy discs if things don’t just work. A good tech will keep everything operating as if it’s as simple as flipping a switch…even when it’s more complicated than launching Sputnik underneath it all.