Article # 4



Schaffhauser, Dian. (2010). It's Time to Trust Teachers with the Internet: A Discussion with Meg Ormiston. the JOURNAL, Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/12/01/its-time-to-trust-teachers-with-the-internet-a-conversation-with-meg-ormiston.aspx c_lang=en  

It’s Time to Trust Teachers with the Internet: A Discussion with Meg Ormiston

stephanieclayton.blogspot.com

(NETS-T 4a, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b)

    

In this candid discussion Meg Ormiston answers questions about many frustrating challenges educators face when trying to access technology for their classes. Dian Schaffhausser first provides a brief resume about Meg Ormiston is and how she is qualified in the area of technology. Then very quickly the article takes a turn and focuses on the issues at hand, the challenge for educators to use the tools available on the market today. OrmistonOrmiston also discusses the effects of districts and schools limiting access to sites and many social networks. First she states that it is very challenging and deflating for the teachers. They are expected to have current practices, using technology, but are not provided the tools to do the job. How frustrating!!! Next, she states that many times the reasoning for the limits are shallow, and if true limits to access exist, schedules can help with this challenge. Finally, she states that students do not have filters or parents at home limiting what they read on-line or with their cell phones, so there is a disconnect between the attempt to create responsible Web guidelines and actual practices in most students’ lives.

    As an educator, who has worked with students in the classroom, I agree with Ormiston in many ways. While I do understand certain information on the Web is not appropriate for the class, so many things are. In my own experiences I have found that student learning opportunities have been limited or lost due to filters, and I have personally been frustrated by not being allowed access to sites I found during lesson preparation. Additionally, I have found that IT departments in some districts use antiquated methods of service and do not provide service in a timely fashion. Ormiston also has issues with the IT processes within districts. Why can’t teachers make changes to their computers, or access programs that have a function for their individual classroom? Also, why does the IT “guy” have to physically come to the location to fix computers or make changes? Aren’t we in the 21^st century using proxy servers? If we had the majority of issues being resolved by the IT employee, working through proxy, money could be saved on time traveled. Then teachers could request the use of programs, have tools assessed and have them approved within a timely fashion. As things stand today, it can take weeks to merely change logins, computer formatting glitches and many other silly computer issues we all encounter every day.

Question 1: Is there a viable reason for IT practices to remain as they are within education or are the practices outdated as Ormiston indicates?

I believe similarly to Ormiston that many of the reasons are flawed and even the true challenges can be addressed if one took the time to find the value in the possibilities.

Question 2: As the current methods of filtering and IT assistance are not working, in some districts, what suggestions could improve technology access and IT assistance?  

First, teachers should be trained on basic computer maintenance along with all the other teacher-in-service courses. With this done many of the silly and easy to resolve issues can be done by a teacher when it needs done. Second, IT personnel should be able to work on all district computers from one remote master computer. If IT could remotely access a computer with a problem, it would save time and money. Finally, there should be a process for teachers to submit requests, have them reviewed within a timely (1-2 week) fashion, and then have access to use the tool for the class. Allowing educators access to tools like Voki not only make learning fun, but provide additional access to learning for some individuals with disabilities. Many times programs created for these purposes are extremely expensive. By using tools available on the Web, teachers are helping their districts save money and time.