Tech Without Support: IT Snags Hamper Schools' Technology Use

Moses. A. (2008). Tech Without Support: IT Snags Hamper Schools' Technology Use.
       Edutopia. Retrieved from:
       http://www.edutopia.org/ikid-school-technology-support

Summary: 

While adding technology to the classroom is great, if it not done correctly, it can be a disaster. Many schools are adding computers, but the schools don't have anyone who knows hows to use them.  A recent survey by the National Education Association found that half of educators said they faced insufficient technology support.  Ironically, it may not be technology that is limiting process, but a lack of people. In San Francisco, there is one tech support person for every 3,000 students!  With no one to turn to, school districts are actually employing some of their own students to work as after-school tech support.  Some administrators are nervous about this, since these students now have access to confidential school files.  Ultimately, this issue will eventually disappear, as more and more computer literate teachers come into the work force.

Reaction:

An article like this shows just how important classes like IT544 are.  We need our teachers to be computer literate, especially in the 21st century.  Schools should not have to hire students to be their tech support. Once teachers are fully comfortable with computers, they can focus their energy on their students. Furthermore, I believe that districts should spend more money on tech support.  One tech person per 3,000 students does not seem like nearly enough. My high school had 1,000 students and we had two technology professionals! I guess I was lucky to be in a district that was so proactive about introducing technology into the classroom.