Interview with Technology Leader
- 1. Interview with a School Technology Leader Brian Mellott ITEC 545 University of Mary Washington
- 2. Interviewee Dale Herring Director of Technology Greene County Public Schools 40 Celt Road Stanardsville, VA 22973 www.greenecountyschools.com Date of Interview: Friday, October 24, 2008
- 3. Background Education in Computer Science Worked in area business community for companies like Pepsi Consultant for Greene County Schools before Director of Technology position opened up Greene County Schools Director of Technology for nine years
- 4. Technology in Schools Strength: Tremendous affect on student achievement and engagement once you get teacher buy-in Weakness: Teachers using technology for its own sake Example: iPod Project—Even disadvantaged students gain access to technology when implemented well
- 5. Vision and Goals Vision- “We are always looking for the next thing for education. We want technology to become second nature for every student. We are striving for integration, communication, and availability.” Goals Higher Portability (i.e. iPods, PSPs, Kindles) Professional Development Greene County Public Schools Technology Plan
- 6. Assessment Mostly Informal Observations looking for interaction between teacher and student and student and technology Surveys sent to teachers and students In order to use a new technology in the classroom, teachers must submit a plan and be approved. Informal assessments of technology usage will impact other assessments, like the SOLs
- 7. Changes Ten years ago, people were fighting the integration of technologies like school specific email systems. Now, they are requesting new technologies. Teaching strategies are more interactive and more multimedia based, leading to higher levels of student engagement. Education departments are more eager to support and even push further technology integration.
- 8. Support Online help desk (this used to be paper and phone calls) Web, network, and infrastructure support Research quotes, viability, and functionality of new technologies and technology programs Installation of hardware and software components Assistance with lesson plans and observation of technology usage in the classroom
- 9. Current Programs Explore learning —Science simulations actively engage students. iPod Project —Foreign language program lets students listen to foreign broadcasts and record themselves at home rather than in class or at the library. Mimio Board —Wireless interactive whiteboard that is more portable than a SmartBoard, so no tripping over cables. Kindles —Wireless reading device that can download books (textbooks soon) to minimize the load on students’ backs. Still being tested by Technology Department.
- 10. Professional Development Approximately 30-35% of the department’s time is allocated for professional development Monday night is “Technology Night” Classes include training in web, email, and other basics as well as introduction to newer classroom technologies like the iPod and PSP.
- 11. Community The Greene County Economic Development Authority advises the school on how well it “sells” itself. Website—Community relies on information posted, so all teachers must now have a website The department produced CD’s about the school system to present to the National Ground Intelligence Center
- 12. Purchasing Procedures Technology Teams request products Technology Department investigates cost, viability, integration potential, etc. Department buys one or several to test in local environment and assesses the support needed for the product Funding sources often define how the money can be used Department reads journals and attends conferences to stay abreast of current trends in technology and education.