Tech Conference at South Burlignton High School: May 6th, 2005.
- We're still tinkering on the agenda.
- We'll post a web site with info and preregistration info once the
agenda is set.
Next Pizza meeting TBD.
We have reserved pizza for 5/6 for about 100 already and taken samples
from competing vendors.
One of the topics, and a very interesting one, was proposed by Lucie
deLaBruere from
North Country Career Center . Hello Lucie from NC, you're on the air:
<<< Note from Lucie: 3/1/2005 6:20:13 PM
" If you do decide to take this one on; it might be good to have a
couple of
panelist who are pioneer educators along with panelist who are from
TECH
department who feel they have found solutions that meet the needs of
both
educators and technicians.
DEFINING THE PROBLEM(s)
Open Networks Cause Problems for Network Administrators:
. Users change settings, tinker with files and data, load new programs,
and
do other actions in ways that cause problems that are very hard (and
time
consuming) to diagnose and fix.
. Users load programs from disk, or download from the web, or open
email, in
ways that introduce viruses that cause enormous damage.
. Some users (both from within and from outside) try to hack our
system
either to cause specific damage (e.g. change grades) or just for fun.
. The more freedom teachers (much less students) have to configure
their own
machines, the harder it is for central staff to diagnose problems and
the
longer it takes to fix things, and therefore the larger the needed
tech.
support staff or the longer that teachers have to wait before their
problems
get addressed.
However, Imposing "Control Technologies" also Causes Problems for
Teachers
and Students:
. Firewalls and filters can prevent staff and students from accessing
on-line tools or information they need.
. Desktop lock-down prevents teachers from trying new software.
. The technology pioneers are the ones who pave the way for others to
follow; if they are restricted, the whole district's ability to move
forward
will be impaired
. Teachers don't always have the luxury of planning ahead: the
"teachable
moment" often requires a "right now" need to find a Web site or to load
some
software or adjust a student's desktop; there is no time to wait for
the
network staff to get around to setting things up.
. The chance to explore and experiment is what allows teachers and
students
to move from beginner to advanced, a must if districts want to move
forward
in implementing Good Models of Teaching with Technology "
Best practices type of thing. Best debate type of thing. How is this
question being addressed around various shops ? Forcing network to open
up, forcing educators to plan, forcing a meeting place for creative and
dynamic education practices and still keeping some sense of network
reliability and security. This is a hot topic around the country, not
just in VT.
Gasp ! Educators and techies in the same space ! Craig (Lyndes) just
turned around somewhere as if someone were speaking to him I'd bet.
Peekaboo. A discussion of this nature is very likely overdue. Could this
even mean merging two listservs (school-it and schoolnet) ?
So speak up all you IT Tech Directors and Techies. Be thee not ashamed
to voice opinions on this subject, other potential mergings, and
toppings of choice.
Speak now on this and other topics listed below if so inclined kind
people or fear that the sessions may be up for us to decide:
www.batmanbegins.com
Consider the matter stirred and let the crickets pause to chat. Let the
healing begin, Adam
Adam Provost
Bay City Rockers, SBSD
http://district.sbschools.net/dns
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