Technology Management 101

A Library Media Specialist’s Collection of Tips & Tricks

Amy L. ObertsOakland Elementary School

Bloomington Public Schools, District 87Summer 2011

obertsa@district87.org

Plates in the Air

http://bit.ly/lmstech101

That looks like a “tiny plate,” but it could

take up the majority of an L.M.S.’stime without a proactive approach.

Are the dots in the graphic (at right) representative

of a L.M.S.’s responsibilities? Are the sizesproportionate to the time involved?

District Technology

Director

District-Level

Technician(s)

Building Technician(

s)

LibraryMedia

Specialist

The “Tech Management” Plate

Talk About It:

• Which roles are present in your learning environment?

• What responsibilities are associated with each “title?”

• How does communication occur between the people fulfilling these positions?

• What hierarchy do you (or a colleague) follow to obtain tech support?

• Is the current distribution of roles and responsibilities meeting students’ needs? Teachers’ needs?

Library Media Specialist

Building Technician(s)

District-Level Technician(s)

District Technology Director

My Role as a Library Media Specialist at Oakland Elementary School:

• I teach between 19 – 22 classes per week: Kindergarten and grade 1 classes are40 minutes in length and include library book check out. Classes for grades 2 – 5are 60 minutes in length, and the classroom teacher joins me in collaboration for the final 20 minutes. The total number of classes varies based on student population.The L.M.C. curriculum at Oakland blends library, literacy, and technology skills.

My Plate is Full!

My job description includes modeling the use of instructional technology, ensuring its circulation throughout the building, and providing ongoing staff development. I frequently troubleshoot technology malfunctions and the implementation of hardware purchased by the building, which accounts for the reversal of titles in this diagram.

District Technology

Director

District-Level

Technician(s)

Building Technician(

s)

LibraryMedia

Specialist

My Plate is the First Course

My Scenario:• Our District’s Technology

Director and Department handle district-wide hardware purchases, network maintenance, and technical support through an online “helpdesk” system.”

• Resolutions to helpdesk tickets range from same-day “fixes” to very long wait times.

• Building-based purchases are (generally) not supported.

My 1st Year Wake-Up Call:• As soon as I walked into the

building, colleagues were approaching me with technology questions, complaints, and/or suggestions!

Your Spot in the SpectrumBy marketing technology that is functional, accessible, and relevant, you can maximize your influence as a Library Media Specialist and brighten the learning environment.(Today’s Topic)

By providing ongoing professional development that is engaging, meaningful, and timely, you can leverage your role as Library Media Specialist to that of Teacher-Leader.(Next Week’s Topic)

Making Sense of It AllYou can only market technology that is functional…

A.Gather essential tools.

B.Organize the Library Media Center’s “space” first.

C.Organize shared resources next.

My Initial Investments

My Plan:Organize - Containerize - Labelize

Dollar Store baskets forinside drawers (open storage)

3-gallon Rubbermaid containers for larger items (closed storage)

Brother P-Touch label makerw/laminated tape

http://www.brother-usa.com/Ptouch/

The Computer Lab

The first time I bundled the computer cords located at each L.M.C. workstation, I used plastic “zip-strips.” They were cheap, fast, and simple. The problem? Our District’s technicians couldn’t easily access or remove damaged components. The solution? VELCRO.

Velcro Sources – One Wrap® Tape

http://www.industrialwebbing.com/

VELCRO arrives in a large roll

Maintenance Supplies Glass Plus™ or Clorox green works™ cleaners (ammonia free) VELCRO cable ties (pre-cut) from Menards (much cheaper than office

supply stores) Teacher Tape (next slide) for attaching signs to electronics (monitors,

printers, etc.)

The“zip-strips”I wish I’d

never bought

Pieces of

VELCRO I’ve cut to have on hand

for teacher

s

Teacher Tape™

This product will adhere almost any sign or poster to almost any surface--without leaving a sticky residue. In the past 15 years, I have yet to find an exception, although some people say it will not stick to unpainted brick. It is amazing!!!

http://www.duracoinc.com/

The L.M.S. Tool Drawer: An “I Spy”

Activity

Allen wrenches - shims - Exacto knives - band-aids - interchangeable screwdrivers

box cutters - pliers - batteries ( assorted types) - measuring tape - wire cutters

disposable gloves - padlocks - furniture pads/protectors - Tide-to-Go pen

The Latest & Greatest

http://www.bluelounge.com/

I am addicted to browsing this site’s gallery of functional and fun organizational tools!

A Classroom Gift…?

A common complaint I hear from administrators, colleagues, and custodians, is “I can’t stand all of these wires!” Could a $30 box be the simple solution? I will be asking my administrator and P.T.O. president to consider “gifting” one of these to each classroom.

Before / After Snapshots

Back to the Task at Hand

You’ve gathered your tools and supplies, you’ve assembled the computer lab…now what?

Use those same organizational skills to highlight important resources and establish clear “boundaries.”

Tired of seeing patrons or colleagues waste colored ink to print text documents? Clearly label each printer and provide a matching list of printers’ names to faculty/staff.

The Most Needed … At Hand

“Headphones for Classroom Use”

Image this: You’re in the middle of a fantastic story with a group of 25, engaged kindergarten students. Suddenly, Mrs. Lang rushes into the L.M.C. and cries, “The headphones at my computer center aren’t working!” You can either:A. Stand up and help her scrounge

around for a replacement set (…and accept you’ll never get the kindergarteners to “refocus”);

B. Discreetly gesture to the prominently-placed cart of frequently-needed supplies; or

C. Ignore her until the students giggle.

Side Note:The bottom two drawers are labeled “L.M.C. Headphones”

because they are purchased with different funds.

Copyright Reminders via Labels

The top shelf features CD-Roms that can be checked out and temporarily installed on a classroom machine. The label reminds the teacher to delete any program files upon return.

The other shelves are labeled, “L.M.C. licensed software – NOT for check out”

SHARED ResourcesYou can only market technologythat is functional, accessible…

You want to model equipment use in the L.M.C., but promote circulation throughout the learning community.

How can you organize, publicize, circulate, and store shared resources in a way that welcomes users, but protects the school’s investments?

Trash…or Treasure?

During Year 1, I was eager to sort through all of the equipment and media supplies kept in the “back office.” My plan for separating trash from treasure:

I laid out about 40 empty containers and started making piles of like items.

I separated equipment I thought would be used most in clear containers and out-dated or cumbersome equipment in out-of-reach cabinets. (I did not purge much until after the first year…just in case someone needed something!)

I frequently reminded the staff—both verbally and in writing—of the “open door” L.M.C. office policy: Anything in a labeled cabinet is meant to be shared.

In Plain Sight

Administrators and teachers are always looking for equipment to capture memories…digital cameras and camcorders get prime placement in the first cabinet within the office.

Necessities are Near

Day-to-day and/or replacement equipment is kept in the office. Labels on the EXTERIOR cabinet doors with corresponding labels on the INTERIOR containers make locating resources a snap.

Awkward Items

I love this storage solution for cumbersome tripods, collapsible screens, and gangly wire covers: A fresh, never-been-used-for-trash, crescent-shaped garbage bin.

Cost: 1 Starbucks mocha for my custodian

Other Notes

The L.M.C. office is opened at 7:45 a.m. each morning by the custodian and locked when I leave in the evening.

Every faculty member’s key can be used to access the office and its supplies.

What equipment do I have to “keep track of?”• If it was deemed “expensive” ($100.00 or more), it would be

processedusing the circulation software and stored in the L.M.C. office.

• Any items that would need to be stored over the summer in the L.M.C. wouldbe processed using the circulation software.

Why was processing equipment important?• To monitor circulation statistics• To promote equitable accessibility• To locate a specific item within a moment’s notice• For possible insurance claims

What I Was Asking Myself:• How can I establish a simple, electronic check out procedure for my

assistant to manage?• How can I facilitate equipment check out when I am teaching and my

assistant is not present?• What items to I want to be responsible for advertising and circulating?• Are my colleagues equipped with basic knowledge and

troubleshooting skills for specific pieces of equipment?

Administrator Q. & A.

Examples of Barcoded Items

I used three tools with my assistant to successfully begin circulating equipment electronically:1. A case (or container) for everything2. A key ring with the barcode3. An ID badge with a list of the equipment’s partsThe barcode is scanned, and the badge is used to make sureall components are going out and coming back in.

iProducts

Even if it’s a hand-held device, it is still checked out in a container!

iProducts

I use clear, recipe boxes (or index card boxes) to containerize smaller pieces of equipment, such as the iPod touch. Checklists of the containers’ contents are placed on the outside and inside of the box.

Interactive Whiteboard Tablets

Display bags intended for books were repurposed to house cumbersome hardware.

A separate pouch is designated for the hardware and a second pouch for the documentation; consecutive barcodes are used to process equipment “pairs” such as these.

This is an example of an equipment item that must be returned to the L.M.C. each summer due to the fragile battery that needs to be uninstalled each May.

Document Cameras

I scrounged around for old carts in our school’s basement to “market” high-ticket equipment. I cut shelf liner to match the cart’s shape and give it a “fresh” look.

I line the carts up across the L.M.C. before our first teacher meeting and man the circulation station upon dismissal. Every cart is deployed by the end of Day 1.

Labels are wrapped around specific cords to ensure easy installation within the classroom.

Two barcodes are associated with each cart:1 for Hardware; 1 for Documentation

Manual Check Out Binder

This template is located on the course wiki.

Inevitably, an administrator, colleague, or parent volunteer will appear at the doorstep of the L.M.C. pleading for one or more of the following…within the first week of school.

Get over it…and get ready.Service with a smile equates to job security.

I Didn’t Sign Up for ThisYou can only market technology that is functional, accessible, and relevant.

The Mobile Laptop & Projector

Possible Situations:• The principal wants to show a video clip to

inspire the entire school population on the first day of school;

• A classroom teacher’s projection device unexpectedly blows a bulb;

• An influential parent in charge of an after-school club needs Internet access to demonstrate the game of chess.

Solution: A mobile laptop and projector, complete with a sign for accessing the school network.

A Sound System for Assemblies

Possible Situations:• The principal wants to show a video clip via

the laptop AND via the sound system (for “maximum impact”);

• The music teacher has a video slideshow for the holiday concert that includes live, student vocals;

• Each second grade class needs a microphone for their same-day “Butterfly Program.”

Solutions: Give yourself plenty of time to research and fiddle…and then document your discoveries.

“I Can’t Find My Camera’s Cord!”

If I had a dollar for every time someone came running into the L.M.C. saying this statement, I could retire to Hawaii…today.

Once I discovered that not all camera cords are interchangeable, I invested in a SanDisk memory card reader and slapped a barcode on the side. It is one of the most-frequently-checked-out items!

Cost: Approximately $30.00

Value: Priceless

Letting Go

By marketing technology that is functional, accessible, and relevant, you can maximize your influence as a Library Media Specialist…but there are only 24 hours in a day.

Carefully consider which resources can survive with sporadic or limited maintenance on your part and nurture your faculty’s troubleshooting skill set.

Mobile Labs

• I set up 2 Mobile Labs at the beginning of each school year and do a full cleaning and software check twice per year.

• The remainder of the time, I use a shared calendar with colleagues to promote circulation. Clearly posted expectations and directions minimize glitches.

Tech Difficulties Chart to record

problems(Idea from Kristi Sutter, Sheridan

School)Expectations andDirections

Placed in adhesive document pouches

Unexpected Purchases or Donations

• Sometimes unexpected funding allows for big-ticket tech items to be purchased mid-year. When that happens, I have to make a choice. Do I…A. Try to learn the equipment

myself and then teach others;

B. Facilitate a “task force” to collaboratively investigate the equipment;

C. Process the equipment and deploy it for teachers to use (…and potentially offend some colleagues since limited quantities exist); or

D. Ask my administrator to make the decision for me?

Your Spot in the SpectrumBy marketing technology that is functional, accessible, and relevant, you can maximize your influence as a Library Media Specialist and brighten the learning environment.(Today’s Topic)

By providing ongoing professional development that is engaging, meaningful, and timely, you can leverage your role as Library Media Specialist to that of Teacher-Leader.(Next Week’s Topic)

Communicate how you will provide technology

support.

Actual web address: http://www.district87.org/staff/obertsa/picnicworkshop.phpThe address I give to faculty/staff: http://bit.ly/2010oakland

The top portion of the page provides directions for common problems.

I developed the center section of the page to support the deployment of the SMART™ response systems. Teachers needed a common starting point.

Example handout posted on the page:

Example handout 2

This publication had two purposes:

1. Every projector in the building seemed to be displaying the “Clean Filter” message (…and I just couldn’t go from room-to-room to do that task); and

2. The District recently purchased a software product called “Comic Life.”

Idea:Write fun—but functional—directions for cleaning the filter and distribute to teachers.

Older agenda items could be referenced at the bottom of the page.

Why bit.ly?

bit.ly Data