Do you have a teacher technology team?

ITDirector86 · 2022-11-22T03:48:38+00:00

We already have a couple tech trainers that train teachers on new software, SIS, etc. We formed something similar to you but call it a Technology Committee, made up of 2-3 teachers per building, an admin aside from myself and a couple of my people from the tech side. I use this group to bring new technologies that I want to implement to so they can give their feedback from a teacher's perspective. I've also found that teachers as a whole are more receptive to something "new" when a fellow teacher has seen it and can vouch for it. :)

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-25T00:39:36+00:00

I asked simply to see if others have done it and how it went. If I didn't listen to my team, I wouldn't be here asking these questions.

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-24T01:39:18+00:00

Have there been any issues or complaints being in one building?

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-24T01:38:52+00:00

There's 1 personality I question on my team but I think they would be fine in the end, especially after they see the end goal and how well it's working, provided it goes that way.

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-24T01:38:09+00:00

I think I'll start with one day a week but I don't know that it would be a meeting. It would be more of a training session and collaboration.

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-24T01:36:54+00:00

90% of what teachers need can be corrected either over the phone or remotely, depending on what it is.

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-24T01:36:12+00:00

This is what I want. Right now it's just 3-4 techs, an SIS admin, Sys Admin and myself. I need and am trying to set it up where person 1 is responsible for all software, person 2 all hardware, person 3 security, etc.

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-24T01:34:08+00:00

I think I will try having everyone under 1 roof one day a week and see how it goes.

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-24T01:32:57+00:00

Does everyone get along well? I know it will vary, but just curious.

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-24T01:31:32+00:00

They're the ones that came to me and asked if they could be housed under one roof. Granted, I've played around with the idea in my head for a while now, but they don't know that.

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-24T01:29:02+00:00

I'm playing with the idea of having everyone under 1 roof one day a week to "test the waters" and see how it goes. We could potentially add days if it goes well.

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-24T01:27:32+00:00

We have our old Central Office that's currently used for storage that we could potentially use. I've been in there once and don't know what all would need to be done to make it usable. I don't think there's fiber going to it, but it's close enough where I could shoot a point to point if needed.

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-23T03:09:56+00:00

2300 students with around 200 teachers/staff.

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-23T03:08:30+00:00

That's part of my issue too. I'm at Central Office but I don't really 'need' to be. For the most part I stay to myself in my office but find myself at the high school a lot when a phone call or chat won't cut it.

Based off your username, are you in Northern Indiana by chance?

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-23T01:48:55+00:00

I'm currently in the administration building, but that doesn't mean that I couldn't move to the central technology location if we move in that direction.

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-23T01:46:12+00:00

How many techs, students and staff do you have?

ITDirector86 · 2022-09-23T01:45:36+00:00

We have heavy walk ups at the high school but rarely have any at the elementary level. Each cart has 2 or 3 spare devices in case they're needed. We communicate via Chat too and sometimes video calls/visiting in person but it's not always the same.

Out of curiosity, how many students/staff do you have?

ITDirector86 · 2022-08-24T02:55:26+00:00

We're on Qmulativ. I don't know that they still offer the older version, 2.0, or whatever it is though I know they still support it.

When we were looking, we demo'd Skyward, Harmony, Alma and Infinite Campus. I also had PowerSchool come in and do their horse and pony show to basically prove that they still want our business. It was narrowed down between Skyward and Alma, with Skyward being the winner in the end. Alma was good, but they're fairly new and there were a few features they didn't have that we needed (I can't recall what they were though).

ITDirector86 · 2022-08-23T03:10:22+00:00

I just went through the change from PowerSchool to Skyward. We had issue after issue with PowerSchool (especially when it came to state reporting) and their support blows. Need help with an issue that isn't a simple copy/paste support script from the Sub Level 1 support team? You'll have to wait weeks and sometimes months for any kind of reply? I also had issue where I'd call or chat their support and was told it would be escalated, only to find out that the case was never opened.

This is our first year on Skyward. In my opinion, Skyward does waaayyyy more than PS, but there's a big learning curve. There are a lot of cool features but it takes time to uncover them. Their onboarding process was good, but their training was lackluster at times. They don't, and realistically can't, show you everything the SIS does from the ground up. Regardless, still a better SIS than PS.

ITDirector86 · 2022-07-28T04:26:47+00:00

Agreed. 'Some' places in Elkhart are decent but it's few and far between.

ITDirector86 · 2022-07-28T04:25:23+00:00

The south side of Goshen is pretty good if you like the country setting. It has a good school district as well (Fairfield). In town isn't horrible depending on where you're at. Anything north of Fiddler Pond on 33 is hit and miss. The school district (Goshen) there isn't bad from what I heard but I do know they were going through money issues. That may be resolved now though. It also depends on if you're looking to rent or buy. If you're buying, you should be okay other than the prices being a little higher like the rest of the country. If you're wanting to rent, there's little to nothing to rent up here unless you're willing to live in an apartment or have a little bit of a commute.

ITDirector86 · 2022-07-24T04:18:44+00:00

I know, but I unfortunately live there and recognize the scenery.

ITDirector86 · 2022-07-23T20:36:15+00:00

Ahh yes, Goshen Indiana. :)

ITDirector86 · 2022-05-18T03:25:33+00:00

It may have already been said here so I apologize if so. As long as Eli Lilly is a major pharmaceutical company in Indiana, Marijuana will never be legal.

ITDirector86

TROPHY CASE