Three years ago, I accepted  the  computer technology integration specialist position in our district.  For a period of time, I conducted my own computer technology classes.  The philosophy changed from treating computer training as something separate to integrating technology tools into all curriculum areas. These tools are not separate from day to day activities.  They are an integral part of them. I agreed that computers should be used in all classrooms in order to enhance student learning, creativity, and innovation.  Technology may not be appropriate for every task but it certainly paves the way to do things that were impossible only a few years ago. With this in mind, I began to try to undertake the task of working with both students and staff to enhance and hopefully even redefine learning in the classroom. Recently, I had the opportunity to reflect on my job description.  Here is an, at least, partial list of my responsibilities theses past few years. In some cases, teachers and students have embraced these tools either on their own or through collaboration with me.  Some have been more reticent.  Progress has been made but there is still work to do.  Becoming a Google Apps for Education district has played an very important role in following our vision of integration.  Blizzard Bags, Google Classroom and cloud softwares such as WeVideo have also contributed.  Publishing, student centered, project-based multimedia productions are one of the ways to take advantage of what we couldn’t imagine doing in the past.

 

Computer Technology Integrator:

Maintain a vision for district-wide integration of technology – Short and long range planning- model using technology to enhance student learning – model digital citizenship

Work with State and district guidelines and standards – ICT standards, district technology plan

Help draft district technology plan

Co-Chair Technology Taskforce – help coordinate and conduct professional development workshops

Model and teach research skills

Google Administrator for organizations, domains and aliases

Trainer for Google Apps, blizzard bags, classroom, etc

Trainer for software usage on board and in the cloud – work with different platforms

Group presenter in schools and Christa MCAuliffe Conference – staff development

Work with students and teachers to integrate technologies – collaboration – co-teach

One on one and group tutoring

On going monitoring of blogs, websites, twitter, etc. to keep up with latest trends, to find new ideas, trends, tools, and interact with experts – find and share resources

Try out new things – find out which software and hardware will fit student and teacher needs

Maintain blog  and website in order to share ideas and disseminate information with other staff members – how to guides

Curate other websites to maintain useful educational links

Work with IT to provide appropriate infrastructure for technology based instruction

Read periodicals and books and attend workshops – professional learning community

Contact staff members to collaborate – Schedule and keep appointments

Maintain computer lab equipment and green screen room

Recommend and arrange for purchase of equipment such as cameras, video cameras, computers, laptops, Chromebook carts, etc.

Troubleshoot software and hardware glitches on the fly, especially during class –  help teachers overcome fear of failure

Adapt to ever changing technologies – model lifelong learning

Learn from everyone including students

Work in different curriculum areas

Teaching background – ability to work  in a classroom environment

Written and oral communication skills

Design curriculum –  familiarity with educational philosophies, methods of instruction and align these with technology

Developing webinars – streaming video

Share visual imaging skills

Share skills learned from working with a publisher

 

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