Thank you for the positive comment. The IT job for...

2009-02-11T21:25:00.000-05:00

Thank you for the positive comment. The IT job for a school system is not always the most positive experience. Teachers are not the most forgiving individuals when things break, and all users forget how much things work.
We have really seen a tremendous rise in our technology integration this past year. I firmly believe it has a great deal to do with how much Internet freedom we allow. When you restrict access you are forcing people into your "box"and dictating how they should practice technology infusion. The real irony is 21st Century skills are all about creativity and collaboration. When you block you dictate how to be creative an collaborative.
Now some folks in my district would still laugh at my previous comment. We do force certain practices. We have done this very deliberately. I am very aware that one misstep by a user, and our community reaction might be to limit and block everything. Schools as you well know are a difficult political environment where you have to play the game. As or teachers have grown we have relaxed our restrictions. We are all growing and learning together, teachers, parents, and community. I am very happy to say that in a few more years we will be able to put very little restriction on anything technology related. Our students are seeing tremendous benefit. Thanks to an open network, our school system is a collaborative environment, where everyone is involved in lesson design. Our students work with teachers and elementary teachers work with high school teachers. Four years ago when I took over, everything was blocked and the English teachers across the hall barely spoke to each other.The Internet and techie tools are the way to go.
Shawn

Comments on MikeArsenault.net Blog: Reflection on Shawn Nutting's Presentation: Creati...

Thank you for the positive comment. The IT job for...