Classroombloger: 2007

Technology Interview

Interview School Technology Coordinator

Audrey Haas

Utah Valley State College

Talitha Hudgins

Instructional Media

Abstract

The use of technology in classrooms is advancing. Technology specialists feel that in order for technology to advance, people need to be educated in technology. The importance of educating teachers in technology is just as important as educating our students. There is much technology available that will enhance the learning of students. Using technology in lesson, we can give back more of instruction time to teachers.

I interviewed the technology specialist at West Jordan High School. This school is in West Jordan Utah in Jordan School District. They educate grades 10-12 at this school. I spoke with Jim Bernini, the technology specialist, to find out how this school operates technology. Jim has been a technology teacher/specialist for 27 years. He has a master’s degree in instructional technology. He retired from Granite district 2 years ago and got bored from not being able to occupy himself with technology. He did what many would do and started working again. This is his second school year at West Jordan High and he is happy with his choice to go back to work as a technology specialist. He and I discussed some questions together.

Jim said to me that the most important part of technology in schools is that students learn differently. Technology allows many different ways for students to learn. Technology is a natural state for children today, and we need to teach to that standard. We as teachers need to address the desire for students to use and learn with technology in our teaching. Luckily, the students at West Jordan have technology available for their use and with the help if Jim, they will have more over the course time. At West Jordan High, they have the use of a core information structure. They have a computer network available for all students at some point, printing, computer drives, overhead projectors, projectors, lap tops, DVD players, televisions, and many students have ipods. With these few tools, students learn to multi task. Many of the units are portable and can be moved from classroom to classroom for easy access. He hopes to permanently install some of these into the classrooms.

Technology is a big part of Jim’s life. Not only does he want his school fully equipped, he wants his home to be as well. In his home he has 3 computers, a palm pilot, a blackberry cell phone, and other entertainment technology such as televisions and DVD players. I noticed that he had 2 computers in his office at work too. He told me that if it is out there, he’ll get it. He enjoys having technology conveniently available to him, his family, and his students. He shared with me, a technology plant that he has for the school. He already planned and succeeded with the same plan previously at a school in Granite District before he retired from there. He made and presented a plan that would take place over the next five years. He wanted to have fully enhanced classrooms with computers, projectors, voice enhancement, etc. all built in. He plans to do the same thing at his current school over the next several years.

Not only does Jim have plans for the school, he has a plan for technology in the classroom instruction. He would like to improve practice with teachers, and have a webpage for each class providing assignments and due date, etc. Many teachers have a fear of technology, but he isn’t going to let that stop his plans. Many teachers fear they will break the equipment so he thinks that it’s very important to start educating teacher so that they can educate their students on technology. He feels that technology is important for everyone to learn because it enhances learning. Jim also feels that students can learn capitalization when using technology.

Time is an important part in a classroom. Many teachers do not have enough time to cover what they would like to. Many students learn at different levels and speeds. When a teacher uses technology, it allows for more time on instruction during class and time for homework. Students will work at their own speed and levels and eventually the teacher becomes more like a consultant and not a director. Jim keeps this in mind when he does his planning.

I enjoyed hearing what Jim had to way about his hobby and profession. He actually taught technology at my high school before he retired. Unfortunately, I never took any classes from him and missed out on what he has to offer. I was impressed with the 5 year plan he has for the schools and that he actually was able to complete it at the high school I attended. I have been college classrooms that have video projectors/camera projector in some classrooms and I really enjoyed when professor used it. It saved time to already have her notes typed up and she didn’t have to write them on the board. This classroom was too large to really use an overhead projector, so when we got the new projector, we were able to fit in other fun activities during lecture time instead of just taking notes.

I shared with Jim how much I benefited as well as my professor from this technology set up. While I was speaking with him, many of his colleges asked for assistance with something. One in particular that I liked to see was a teacher who had been sick and called him to help with her sub plans. She asked if he would be available to set up the needed equipment for the students to view a video. He agreed, and then proceeded to select an appropriate video for this teacher. Not only was he going to assist in getting her sub plans ready, he was going to see that they students weren’t entirely board with the substitute!

Jim is willing to help out the teachers and students whenever they call on him. He knows that many of them are uneducated and fear technology. He is at there side as soon as he can get to them to help assist their needs. He did comment to me that he often lets them fret over their technical difficulties for a bit before he ruches to them just so they can have a change to learn something on their own that may help them learn the technology.

We talked together about Jims’ thoughts on Google Apps in education. He told me that many of the teachers use Google in their classrooms as search engines, lesson ideas, and pictures. There is no problem having the students use Google Apps in school. In fact they already use hotmail regularly. The use of these tools does require supervision over the students, which he is willing to do.

I enjoyed speaking with Jim and envy his knowledge of technology. There is so much available now to enhance education and lessons when using technology. I hope to see more of it in classrooms when it’s my time to teach. I also hope that I have the convenience of a technology specialist just in case I need help.