The TWAIN blog

So Monday was the first day of my week at TCEA. It started with the Tech Coordinator’s Academy which is a 5-day workshop spread across the year. The first 2 days were in the fall in Dallas and I attended (and blogged about) them. They were fantastic! Very motivational!

This week’s workshop wasn’t so motivational. And I say that only because the topics were on the security side of running a district technology system. It wasn’t a bad workshop. It just wasn’t so “up” because the topics were about the security side and reality of what we can do to make our networks secure.

Our reflection for journaling is this topic: What is my vision of how the network, hardware, and software will help us accomplish our goals in my district? What are my next steps in regards to infrastructure?

After yesterday’s session, I see how my district needs to do more to provide a more secure network and to keep our data safe. I don’t think we are doing a good job at this. I can see how spending needs to go toward providing this before we start adding more “stuff” to our network.

We discussed ways to figure out the TCO – Total Cost of Ownership for adding to our network infrastructure and the idea of sharing this with our stakeholders. We just can’t add resources to the system without building up the system istelf.

One of my main goals here this year is to visit the exhibit hall to get more information about these types of security resources. I hear from vendors almost daily so it is important for me to go and look at all the products to find the perfect fit for our district. Cost is a major factor for us and some resources just offer too much than what we need.

Disaster recovery was another topic and Kari shared how her district prepared for hurricane damage. Her plan is so detailed that I would think this type of planning would be almost a full time in itself. While Kerrville isn’t in danger of major hurricanes, we are open to other types of disasters and need to come up with better planning. I like not only that Kari explained the plan but she also provided each staff member with a list of who is responsible for what and at what point do they “pull the plug”.

She even shared that the district has a stand-by 1-800 number for if the phones go down that will still allow them to answer calls. Every instance is covered.

Currently, I meet with city resources in our town and one of our agenda items is planning for how we can all help each other with disaster recovery. Could we all provide a temporary NOC for another system from our own location and maintain our own system security? Could we work together in case of a real emergency? I think so.

The final part of the workshop was spent on 1:1 computing and the idea (or is it a mandate?) from TEA that districts are to test all freshmen in 2012 online for end of course assessments. No funding provided of course. To me, this seemed like something I could push back until we figured out who gets projectors next! But with this deadline looming, we have a lot to do in Kerrville to get ready for this!

So, I left yesterday with a heavy heart. So much to do and so little time! I appreciate not only the discussions we had in the room but the knowledge that all of us are ill-prepared for these types of mandates. I’m not the only one in this boat! Plus, Lori shared resources on how Bastrop is going with 1:1 computing. Her candid perspective on this type of venture was appreciated!

I like how she explained that adding the laptops/netbooks to the campuses wasn’t the answer. The real way to get it to all work together was to get the curriculum to change for the use of technology. If you don’t change the way we teach, then the laptops won’t add to your instruction. They will detract.

So much great information shared. Another hit of a workshop! I can’t tell you how much this Academy has really helped a newbie like me! They gave us another file full of resources to use and they are REAL resources, each one.

Tech Directors – I just want to implore that you take this Academy when they offer it next year. It is a pricey cost, I know! But if you really want it to work well – invite your curriculum director to attend with you. Two for one training! It is really worth it!

I am so far behind on technology. I feel so behind-the-times. I don’t know which way we are heading and I don’t have a grasp of new tools to use in the classroom. I am really lost!

I think I know why.

There hasn’t been a new Tech Chicks Tip podcast since Thanksgiving! No blog posts either! My workouts aren’t the same without the cool-down period of hearing David Pogue from the NY Times and the Tech Chicks.

My workouts are boring! My workouts are now like a good dinner with no dessert (bad analogy for my workout routine, but you know what I mean!). I miss dessert!

Where have they gone? Why aren’t they updating? I miss them. I miss hearing their wonderful voices and commentary about technology. I miss their laughter when they drive around. I miss hearing their shout-outs. And I miss the passion the perspective of hearing about the use of the tools they discuss in their schools! Their podcast is so informative and fun!

I wonder if anyone else feels the same loss I do? Where have you gone, Tech Chicks??

Miguel dropped the glove and asked me to post my comments on what happened at Day 2 of TEC SIG. I honestly did not take many notes on the day because…well….I got caught up in making fun of the situation on Twitter. It happens.

So what happened? Well, that’s hard to figure out. I haven’t been into all the gab on the TEC-SIG listserv. I mainly check it when I get an interesting topic or I post a question about something I would like a response to.

I didn’t know there was this growing debate between TEA and the SIG. So from an outsider’s view like my own it looked like a fight was developing in that session on Friday.

I think I can see both sides of the arguments that took place. Sparing the nitty-gritty, here is what I think:

1) The reps from TEA tried to “school” us in proper netiquette by informing the group that information shared by them is copyrighted and that we should ask permission before posting it online or posting it on our own blog/podcasts.

2) They then told us that they were too busy, understaffed, and unprepared for dealing with the new technologies of Web 2.0. We even heard that often they send out information that is changed by the time it is sent out.

3) Audience members who do podcast and share these resources were seeking clarity on copyright when posting resources sent by TEA (which is a public entity).

My thoughts on this:

1) TEA should really take advantage of the people who are willing to post their information in easily explainable terms. I know that if I have a question on something, I ask TEC-SIG or I read the blogs of others. I rarely visit TEA’s site or ESC-service centers. I can’t find information as easily as on others sites.

2) People who do blog/podcast on their sites should (even as a courtesy) ask for permission to record word for word or to post the slides from a presentation. It is a professional courtesy that I think has fallen to the wayside. I agree that they are a public entity and we should get the information from them to post. But I also think it is a courtesy to inform them in advance that you wish to record them. I do the same for all guest speakers and meetings I wish to record.

TEA should provide a better communication system for distributing information along with some interactivity on their site. I agree. But as they say, they are understaffed as well. It sounds like they need help with this and my question is why can’t TCEA help them? Why can’t we as an association provide the tools to distribute information more than just conference advertising?

The one place I think we should look to for technology information in the state should be linked to TCEA somehow. We keep talking about providing a database of all of our district resources and vendors with small steps heading that way. What is our organization about besides a listserv and a conference each year?

Better yet, what are my dues for in this group? What am I paying for?