Safety and Equity

Chris

TEP 519

Chris Wichowski

Blog Safety and Equity

Ask the IT guy

            For this blog and addressing the content of tech in the classroom I thought it would be helpful to interview an IT person who works for a K-6 school district in Encinitas California. I asked him five basic questions that would help our cohort with their future in teaching.

1. What is the biggest security threat in a classroom?

IT guy: The biggest issue is the Internet. The web filter cannot catch everything, we want kids to search the web and find information but not find too much. The trick is to find that line. Schools typically have a system wide Internet filter or firewall that prevents finding content they should not. Typically if a student tries to access a site that isn’t recognized a message is sent to IT that states possible material labeled adult, unknown or gambling.

*I followed up on gambling with him and he further clarified that he hasn’t seen too much gambling. Mostly student and teachers finding betting lines. However, at the high school level it has been an issue.

2. What’s the most common problem teachers and students have with computer based technology?

IT guy: There are a lot of devices on the district network, computers, iPads, phones etc. was causes synching problems. As a result there are times in which you will be bumped/kicked off the wifi.

3. Most common way to fix a tech problem as a teacher?

IT guy: When you’re kicked off or having trouble, try restarting the device. I find the most common pattern with teachers and technology goes as follows. They don’t have the tech and don’t really care then they get it and can’t live without it. It’s funny how teachers react as if the sky is falling. The most common piece of equipment is the Apple TV. They were not designed to be used everyday in the classroom, Apple TVs have been adopted by schools to be key piece of equipment. My question is how did you teach before you had the Apple TV?

4. Most used program?

IT guy: The most commonly used program is the web browser. Programs are developing so fast teachers have begun to customize their curriculum to match their needs. Mainly the programs in which teachers use they can access the students work from a remote location. Google based product and Edmodo for example.

5. Biggest pet peeve as an IT guy?

IT guy: The most common tool used for trouble shooting by a tech is to simply restart the device. In most cases it will fix the problem. It is a little frustrating when a teacher refuses to touch the equipment without doing any trouble shooting themselves and hide behind the slogan, “I don’t want to break it any more than it is.” They are just relying on the IT person. It is especially irritating when a teacher a teacher calls and asks for help and a sign on the wall that states, “Ask three then me” and the teacher doesn’t try to figure it out. Most tech products are designed to be user friendly. At times it feels you have to go out of your way to not attempt to solve the problem yourself.