Journal 6

The Threat of Security (Sept./Oct. 2007, Learning and Leading with Technology, p.18).

This article highlights many of the difficulties educators face, many n a routine basis, when trying to implement technology into their classroom. Several examples in the article highlighted the stringent control held by the administration and instructional technology support team in implement teachnology into the classroom. Said groups view technology in “security threat” mode and hinder the professional growth and successful enhancement of learning with technology integration in the classroom. Teachers are not given the respect they deserved in policing their own needs and actions. Use of email at school for family or personal use is not allowed in many districts; teachers’ new computers have inoperable CD-RW drives, for fear that they will violate copy-right law. Thankfully, I am not in such a technology-limited environment. Don’t get me wrong, we have serious technology limitations at City College, but I will not be “written” up for writing personal email nor am I policed for the types of material I place on WebCT.

1. What limitations do I face that are most upsetting and hinder technology integration at City College?

First and foremost, we are not a wireless campus. In fact, I had to defend my position for applying for the HP Mobile Technology Grant, which uses a wireless access point. Our classrooms are old, and the administration does not feel it is monetary sound to add Ethernet lines (just one, please!) in each of our classrooms. I have an very old computer on my desk that has trouble with animations. I feel that new hires should earn a new computer, as in my colleges, however, the administration does not seem to share the view. IT is hard asking for a new computer, when a Physics Colleague hard drive died in the summer and his computer has not been replaced. Oh the joys of teaching

2. Does your school encourage faculty to construct their own website?

No! In fact, City has a paid webmaster that lives in Arizona! She maintains the entire website and does not even let us change the Physical Science/Chemistry Portion of the site. The college wants each discipline to look the same, and does not allow any posting that deviate. Unfortunately, the site does very, very little to encourage community between faculty and students, or students and City College. WE also are not allowed any space on the server (it is new and has room!) for a faculty webpage. The rationale is that faculty should use WebCT (the district is paying for it) for all course related material. Unfortunately, the main limitation of this is that only students enrolled in your course have access to the material posted. I constructed and maintained a website while working at Cal Poly, and I know that students learned a lot about the faculty, the department and the “going ons” around the campus. If we want to encourage our students to continue in their education and possible excite them about our discipline, we need to reach them in every possible media. My school is missing out on an excellent opportunity to excite student and built community.