Technology Infrastructure Scavenger Hunt

Katrina Joseph

1. Acceptable Use Policies and Safety and Security of Information Systems:  Find the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for your school district.  Describe a few of the interesting points in the AUP.The one I receive at first still hadn't been updated.

Does the AUP include a parent permission requirement for student Internet access? Yes Do all of the students with whom you will work have the required permissions? They just received them on October 8, 2002 and only the English version were given. Two students had to wait until the teacher got a copy of the Spanish version to be sent totheir parents. What modifications, if any, are being made for students who are being made for students who are not allowed Internet access? Many lower grades do not use the Internet but upper grades do. If that student is not allowed to use the Internet or their permission slip wasn't returned the teacher would have to make modifications depending on the assignment. For example, if they were using the Internet to research a topic the teacher would have to print out that students information for them.

Does the AUP give information concerning security of information systems at your school?  No Is a firewall or similar technology in place to protect students from inappropriate Internet content? The only firewall available is controlled through HISD technology which makes certain websites unavailable. If not, what precautions are teachers required to take to ensure student safety? The teacher is also required to monitor Internet use and should gain permission for their class to use the computer from Ms. Aguilar, but ot must be for a specific assignment. Is student/teacher information protected through passwords?  The computers at the computer lab must be logged in using passwords and each student has their own identification number. However, the passwords are posted near the computers in the classroom.

2. Equitable Access to Technology in School:  What technology resources are available at your school? There is a software library for the teachers. 

Are there computers in your classroom?  Yes How many? From 1-3 in those I've seen.(there are more in the second grade classrooms because they received a grant.) Teachers also have laptops for their own use. What kind? Compaq(some may have other kinds because teachers sometimes bring their own computers to be used in their classrooms.) Do they have access to the Internet? Yes, but they aren't allowed to use it.

Are students allowed to access the computers in your classroom? Yes What procedures are in place to ensure equitable access?Each student is required to spend 20 minutes on the computer each day, although some days they don't have time, and they follow a rotation schedule. (This is just in second grade.)They also have CCC Lab (the computer lab) for 30 minutes each day for each grade level except Pre-K. In other grades, the students can use the computers during center time.

Are there computers for student use in the school library? No, but the librarian is working on getting computers for student use.

Are there specific guidelines for student use of these computers? Not at the moment.

Are there computer labs at your school? Yes How many labs? 2 How many computers in the labs? 24 in each lab. What kind of computers? Compaq Do they have access to the Internet? Yes, but the children aren't allowed to use unless it is an assignment. What other equipment is available in the labs (scanners, digital cameras, projectors, etc.)?  There is a digital camera and projector that can be checked out by the teacher but it's not in the lab. The only equipment in the lab are a printer and headphones.

How are labs assigned? (Check out as needed, Rotating basis, Other)

a.Checkout as needed 

What is the procedure for reserving the labs? The teachers can't reserve the labs.

How often can you reserve them? N/A

In your opinion, is the lab schedule working for your school? The lab schedule is working in the context that every student in the school is given time to work in the computer lab. Why or why not? The schedule was constructed by the coordinator to ensure equality of time and resources.

b. Rotating Basis

What is the schedule? Every teacher is required to bring their class to the CCC lab once every day for 30 minutes.

Can you use the lab if someone does not want his or her time? Yes, he/she would have to confer with coordinator to see if that would be okay.

What software programs are available for classroom use?  There are already math and language arts programs on the computers in the classroom. The teacher can check out others. What is pre-loaded on the machines? Windows 98 and Microsoft Office Suite 97. Is there a software library? Yes What software is available for checkout? Supplemental educational software and games are available and can only be checked out by the teacher.

Is there equipment available for checkout?  Yes, the projector and digital camera. What is the checkout policy?  The teacher must reserve the item with the coordinator at least one day in advance. Can teachers check out equipment for home use during holidays? No What equipment is available for holiday checkout? None

3. Physical Safety and Health Related to Technology:  What are the safety and health policies related to technology at your school? There are none; the teachers monitor the students. The children are required to follow the rules in the AUP though. In your classroom, do you notice any safety concerns that need to be solved? There is one plug in the room and an extension cord is used for the computer, the printer, the fan, and the cassette player (although they are on the same side of the classroom). They have to be careful not to trip over the cord. What are possible solutions to solving these concerns?  If possible, more outlets could be added. If there are not any apparent safety issues in your classroom, what rules, procedures, and special equipment are being used to maintain a safe environment? There are some safety issues but there are also rules like no running or playing around that the children must abide by.

4. Equitable Access to Technology in the Community and Home Environments: What technology resources are available to your students outside of school? 

How many students in your classroom have computers at home?  3 out of 17. Do they have Internet access? They all do but only is not allowed to use it unless someone is supervising her.

For those students who do not have computers/Internet access at home, where could they access these (community library, other)? The students can use the computers at the nearby library.

5. Hardware and Software Issues:  Who handles technology support at your school? 

Does your school have a permanent tech support person or a roving district rep?  Ms. Aguilar is the coordinator of the computer lab who assists with many things but there ai also a roving district rep. How do you access tech support?  By calling 713-892-SERV. About how long do you have to wait before help arrives? It make take from a week to a month depending on his schedule and the problem to be resolved.

Who is the librarian?  Dr. Robert CanetDoes he or she have any role in technology? No, he plans to get computers for the students and to organize the book checkout process with a computer.

6. Acquiring Information from Electronic Sources:  Does your school have a website?  No What is the URL?  N/A What resources can be accessed from this site?  None Does the school highlight student work or special projects on the website? N/A Can teachers have a web page on this site?  N/A If so, does your cooperating teacher have a web page?  No, but they do have e-mail addresses.

7. Ongoing Professional Development:

Does your school/district offer technology training?  Yes What courses are offered?  Navigation through the CCC lab curriculum, Outlook, the Internet, Microsoft Office, and Windows XP. When? There are three opportunities for training which are sometimes during Professional Development days. HISD also offers classes oncertain Fridays and Saturdays.

How could you sign up? RSVP by calling the coordinator.

8. School Technology Committee:  Is there a technology committee for your school? Not technically. Who are its members?  Ms. Aguilar is the coordinator and that's all. How often do they meet? N/A Do they take suggestions from teachers? Not really.

If a meeting is scheduled for the technology committee, ask permission to observe its functions.  Describe some of the issues discussed.  If no meeting is scheduled, briefly meet with one of the committee members and find out about past meetings.  Briefly describe some of the issues discussed. N/A

If there is no technology committee at your school, briefly describe the process you would use to make suggestions for technology purchases or changes. (i.e. new software, equipment, upgrades, lesson ideas.)There could be a committee set up to do fundraisers to get other equipment. There could also be resources students could use after school for there own use (of course someone would need to supervise them. The software used should also be a supplement of what the lesson was that day.

9. School Support of Technology Integration:  Based on the results you have found, does your school: 

appear to encourage integrating technology into the curriculum (for instance: Do you see many teachers employing technology enhanced lessons? Explain. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Each child works on a math or language arts program that is based ont heir level.

adequately support technology integration? Explain your answer. Most teachers would probably rather the student be required to go to the CCC lab only once or twice a week,

10. Planning for Technology Integration:  Based on the results of this technology infrastructure scavenger hunt: 

what changes, if any, would you like to see at your school? I would like to see technology as a supplemental resource and not as time waster. I would also like to see more outlets.

have your ideas about technology integration within the curriculum changed as a result of this technology infrastructure scavenger hunt?  No If so, how will this change your lesson plans? N/A If not, why not? Istill believe that technology should be apart of the curriculum but doesn't have to be isolated but should be integrated.

When responding to the Technology Infrastructure Scavenger Hunt, please answer concisely (using numbering is helpful) and upload your product to your server space by October 11, 2002 by 5:00 p.m.