Running Head: Tech Coordinator

Technology Coordinator Paper:

Understanding Technology in Schools

Clinton Teller
Eastern Michigan University

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Introduction
The technology coordinator position at North Adams Jerome Schools is
handled by Treva Wagler. Mrs. Wagler performs the responsibilities of a librarian
and the second is working as a technology coordinator. On a weekly basis, the
technology coordinator works on the computer systems three days per week. Upon
conducting an interview with the technology director, it is easy to understand why
the school district is struggling with limited technology.
The interview with North Adams Jerome School district technology director
occurred at 9:30 a.m. in a computer lab, which was receiving a software download
making the computers available to take the new standardize tests set by the state.
From this interview, the technology director started working for the school district in
1992, but started working as a technology coordinator in 2000 when the previous
technology coordinator retired. Mrs. Wagler was given this position by the
administration knowing that she had little or no experience with networking or with
being a technology coordinator. Furthermore, the technology coordinator stressed
that day to day operations for North Adams Jerome is normal. The only issue the
school is having revolves around the network server, which needs updating. As
stated earlier, the coordinator at the school is self-taught and does not have the
necessary knowledge to upgrade the school network server.
The older server is still operating efficiently, so the failure to upgrade the
system is not affecting the daily functions at the school. In order to get this system
updated, the school superintendent would listen to the recommendations of the
Technology coordinator before any decisions are made regarding hardware and
software. This does not mean that the superintendent would accept the
recommendations, about 3 years ago a recommendation was made to turn the

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school into a wireless network and the superintendent turned it down. The decision
to turn down the wireless networking system brought the coordinator to question
whether the school would be able to function in the future. Moreover, the
coordinator fears that that the BYOD and one-to-one devices would hurt the district
enough to where it would have to shut down. The one-to-one devices would drain
the schools funding, even though there are grants available to assist with the cost.
Technology Support Reflection
Breaking down the domains of technology support index illustrates many of
the problems that are faced by the technology coordinator and North Adams
Jerome Schools. In terms of the equipment standards, domain one, the school is
really efficient. Following the idea of using one operating system and security
guidelines that are established, but is limited since the teachers and students are
not prompted to change passwords after a period of time. However, the remaining
domains on the checklists are very low. There is no helpdesk where teachers can
place help tickets and limited or no professional development of computer software.
Personal Reflections
Working with the technology coordinator at North Adams-Jerome was not the
most rewarding experience. The coordinator has stress how tired she is with
dealing with the administration regarding the network server. However, it was
beneficial to have a chance to discuss this new testing software that the state of
Michigan is pushing schools into using. While walking around the lab watching and
talking with the coordinator has brought out one key component, there is no way
the coordinator position is worth that amount of stress. Actually, I figured that the
coordinator had a difficult job of organizing and fixing system errors, but there is no
way I could reprogram the computers to work with that new state program.

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Moreover, the complexity of setting up that system ends with the creating a data
collection computer where all the tests results and answers would compile and wait
for the technology coordinator to submit the results. The school chose this setup
because the school was worried about students loosing connection or occurring a
submitting problem at the end of the test.
When I think of a technology coordinator, I knew programming was a key
component. However, it was different watching the coordinator linking the
computers for that test. Moreover, it was hard comprehending what was going on
with the network server. It looked like giant ball of wires coming together in a single
place. What was shocking is that the network server devices looks like a smaller
version of a computer tower. Furthermore, it was hard to understand why the
school needed to update the older server, if the coordinator said it operated just
fine. Why spend money on a system that is not needed?
The networking area was new and interesting, since I have limited knowledge
about these systems. It would be nice to assist the computer technician that comes
back to upgrade the system. The only experience I possess comes from working on
a personal home wireless network, using DSL lines and built in router. Furthermore,
the complexity of the network is interesting and the wiring just looks like a
headache. Therefore, I would like to learn how to program these networks and
design a system that would allow the school to become fully integrated as a
wireless system. During the interview session I stressed the importance of creating
a wireless system that encompassed the whole school. Since the coordinator stated
that she had attempted to create a wireless system but was met with resistance
from the superintendent. Another area of interest was the linking of computers to
accept the data from the state tests. Even though this is a new program, the linking

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is not necessarily new. Seeing how to link the computers was new to my
knowledge. What made it interesting is the coding of the computers. There has to
be an easier method for linking the computers compared to manually providing the
code for every computer. Why did the coordinator not place the coding on the
server and link the computers that way?
After walking around with the technology coordinator for an hour, since it was
during my prep time, it is easy to say that the complexity of networking and linking
of computers is a little nerve racking. In the future, it would be helpful to know how
to setup a network and code the computers to link them to one master controlling
computer. Understanding these concepts would allow my position to be betterrounded and increase my availability to the school. Furthermore, it would allow me
to assist the school with recommendations of computer systems and networks.
Since North Adams Jerome is a small rural school with limited funding it would be
an advantage to have a staff personal who could work side by side with a consulting
firm or as a technology coordinator.
Conclusion
Before initiating in this observation and discussion with the technology
coordinator, it was difficult to really figure out why it would take so long to get
answers regarding the problems occurring with school technology. However, this
observation and interview show the difficult tasks and constant manipulation of the
systems and coding of computers. As stated in the reflection, the networking server
was amazing. Who knew this concept could sound easier than it really is outside of
the books. Other than the network, this observation provided knowledge of
problems the school faces in the future.

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It was known that the school will have problems in the future of one-to-one
concept, but it was amazing to learn the technology coordinator felt the same way.
Furthermore, it seems that the school administration feels that the technology of
the school is not a problem, even though the school is waiting for a new network
server to be installed. Finally, with the implementation of BYOD programs becoming
so impressive for schools due to the one-to-one initiative, how does the
administration feel about changing the school over to a wireless network system?
Even though the school is operating with a deficit does not mean the students
should suffer and not have the technological breakthroughs of the future. After
learning that the administration turned down the plan to install a wireless system, it
will make it hard to use the knowledge gained at the MACUL conference.