How does one make a difference faced with overwhelming opposition to what is known to be the right path? Specifically I'm talking about technology and it's use within a school.
My building has used Macs for the past 14 years and the staff has developed considerable expertise with the operating system, networking, software, and troubleshooting. In fact, other than major network issues, the district tech support people rarely have any need to even come to our building. But ... all of that is going to change. We have been told that our current Macs will be eliminated - sold off (even though they all WORK and are used daily for even high end apps!) - and new PC-Windows computers put in their place. The replacement of comparable software to the iLife apps will not be an option. All that will really be loaded is Microsoft Office and whatever else comes as part of the OS.
The thing is, the facts of our own usage seem to make no difference - our need for tech support being so low or the longevity of our Macs - all deemed to be insignificant. Our expertise and even our staff's insistent public statements of preference for the Mac ... ignored. Instead we are told vague things about "standards" and consistency and equity. For me and the other teachers in my building this simply means our technology will be reduced to the lowest common denominator - we all will get exactly the same, almost unusable, technology equipment.
What is really worse though, and not a platform issue at all, is the incredibly limited vision (lack of one) there is for technology use with students and for instruction. The new computers will be locked down with Deep Freeze - even the teacher laptops - preventing any loading of apps or alteration to the basic install. I know this is a reality for many teachers everywhere but it is not something we have ever had to deal with at my school. For many of us the idea of a locked down computer is almost unbelievable. Why would I spend any time at all using such a limited machine? Our tech department is so small that any need I have for adding software or an app will take weeks - or it will never happen. It is an unworkable situation.
Beyond the limitations imposed there is no plan for wireless access. So ... we will all be given laptops that must be tethered to the wall with ethernet cables. I can just see a team meeting now ... no one will bring their computer to the room because there will be only one - or no! - drops. Easy solution to that of course will be to get a small hub ... but even that sort of thing will be outlawed! Only district-issued equipment (printers, scanners, projectors, etc.) will be allowed! I cannot bring a computer or laptop of my own and plug it into the network. If I have a printer of my own that I want to use for my classroom ... no chance!
Where is innovation supposed to happen in this environment? How will integration and increased student use be facilitated? Is "technology" to be defined as the Office Suite of apps and we should just be happy for the newest version of that? Who is helped by all of these restrictions and limitations? How is ignoring teacher voices - many advanced tech users - an acceptable option for administration? And how can any one person impact this path that clearly has a number of problems? Right now I feel like I'm watching a train wreck and have no power to stop it.
Even though I love my Mac and am dismayed at the loss of this platform because I believe it is a superior computer, the real issue here is about a lack of vision and the absence of understanding of how tech is used effectively to impact education. In a time when the world is exploding with so many options for creativity and collaboration and learning through the use of technology, my district is moving backwards in time and making novice mistakes in its implementation. How long will it take for us to climb back out of this black hole of tech mis-steps?
