EEND 681

EEND 681: Managing Educ Tech Services 

Artifact #1: 21st Century Library 

While technology is every changing it is important that the space students learn in is also changing to be able to accommodate the new technology. In this artifact, you can see how I would want my library transformed into a 21st Century Library! I found this assignment very meaningful as my school district is starting to remodel the libraries in our district and I am excited for the change! I knew I had some ideas of what I wanted for this space but after reading through the variety of articles, especially Rethinking the Classroom, it offered a much clearer vision for the space. I really thought about making sure there are sight lines into the small group rooms. This allows the students the chance to work collaboratively but still be monitored. I also thought a lot about what technology will be used where in the library thus making sure there are outlets at these locations in the library. I also wanted to ensure that the furniture is flexible and can be moved around to adapt to the ever changing needs for the students and staff at Hatch.  Let me know your thoughts for Hatch's new library! 

Click here to get a closer look into the library! 

Artifact #2: Technology Presentation

The majority of this course was spent developing a Technology Plan for a school district. The plan I created was for my school, Hatch Elementary School. You can view the entire technology plan here but the artifact I would like to talk about now was creating the presentation for the technology plan. I found creating this presentation to be very challenging! I am a talker and trying to consolidate and pick out the most important features to the technology plan was very tricky but helped me focus the presentation. As I was rereading the technology plan to create this presentation, it hit me how much I have grown in this course over the summer. Prior to this class, I used to think that the technology department was very slow at making decisions on approving new apps or bringing new technology into the classrooms but now I realize the district is doing their part to ensure that all the students’ information remains safe, ie. following FERPA. This project opened my eyes to all the different aspects that the technology department covers and has to think about, such as how and when should dated technology be removed from the district. I am excited to join my district’s technology committee in the upcoming school year to bring back what I learned in this class. The biggest thing I want to bring back to my district is the commitment to build a partnership between the Teaching and Learning Department with the Technology Department to offer more professional development for the staff in how to use the technology effectively. Trainings offered need cover how to effectively integrate technology with students but also working with all staff on how to problem solve some basic technology issues. I have found that although our teacher assistants are all given iPads they are not trained how to use them. I am excited to work with the Technology Department to find creative ways to offer these Professional Development opportunities for the staff! I hope you enjoy the Hatch Technology Plan!