Upon interviewing Kathy Politis the Director of Instructional Technology at the Fulton County School System, it was easy to become aware of the complications involved in coordinating the implementation of the Fulton County School System’s Instructional Technology Plan.
Fulton County School System has all kinds of “technology stuff,” according to Kathy Politis. Technology stuff available for staff in Fulton County may be laptops, desktops, software, interactive whiteboards, LCD projectors, instant response system (clickers), etc. The best way to ensure technology integration according to Kathy is by making sure that when ‘stuff’ is purchased the system builds in the cost of training. Only when the system knows how best to use the technology for instruction and learning does any school system get the value out of it. Technology integration should be called technology for improved teaching and learning. The school system best ensures the integration when the school system thinks about the curriculum first and then applies the technology so that it improves higher order thinking skills, authenticity of task, and engaged learning.
Frequently we must also measure the effectiveness of current technology that is being used in our school system. Fulton County looks at time in use, but how often someone uses technology does not equate to how effective the technology is. Fulton County uses a system of Learning Walks that evaluates the classroom teaching and learning environment. There is one question within the learning walk that looks at whether technology is being used. The single score offers a better scale of effectiveness than simply measuring how often the computer in used by a teacher or in classrooms in a school.
School systems must approach the use of technology with the need to protect the network and equipment with the need for teacher flexibility in successfully integrating technology. Often Fulton County must weigh the instructional value against the systems’ nettwork bandwidth. For instance, a teacher may want to share a streaming video of a recent TV show. From a technical standpoint, the school system might indicate that it is not an appropriate use of the network as a streaming video can use up bandwidth that then prevents other teachers’ from accessing the web from research. In such a case, the school can help, as school leaders such as the Principal and Curric Support Specialists can make that decision as to the value of the streaming video and whether it should be used or not. It is important that every school have a technology committee to help make decisions that keep in mind that curriculum ALWAYS drives technology.
In Fulton County there is much technology being implemented. All Fulton County teachers have a laptop. Schools receive three computers per classroom (instructional unit). The school decides how those compute red are deployed in the school. Many schools opt to move some computers into a lab so a whole class can have access. Others distribute throughout classrooms. Some software is also purchased at the district level and made available to all schools’ computers. Decisions on software are made by Curriculum and Instruction to ensure the software aligns to state standards. Local schools often purchase hardware and software by local funds. However, the schools also must be careful to make sure that whatever the local school purchased is aligned to district protocols so there is a process in place for local purchases to go through a district evaluation.
There are major issues facing Fulton County School System like other school systems regarding reliability and security. Security is a big issue. The school system is bound by law to protect student information as well as protect students per Computer Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Students and teachers sign the Acceptable Use Policy at the beginning of every year as part of the Fulton County School System policies and procedures. Web 2.0 social networks must be used with responsibility so that when using blogs, wikis, etc., the students remains protected. Most IT can also can find a way to protect the systems equipment and allow the teachers the flexibility needed to use needed resources in their classroom.
Every Fulton County School has a School Technology Specialist (STS). The ideal level is for an STS is being an individual who exhibits a balance between being a hardware/fix/break expert and an instructional technologist. Through Fulton County School must be sure the equipment is working, it is equally important to be able to slate the best practices in how to use the equipment for maximum effectiveness in teaching and learning.
As part of every STS’s duties and responsibilities, she/he must assist with general maintenance to keep the Fulton County network running smoothly. This responsibility involves monitoring disk space, making sure that there is regular server back up, software manual availability and updating, addition/removal of staff users, setups of new workstations, print stations, assignments to default printers, and training of new personnel. The new personnel at a school must be trained in electronic mail, data exchange, information stored in the media centers, hardware and software. The job of STS also involves performing regular identification and determination of problems with the network. As the school technology specialist the individual also assists with coordinating and network-related repairs, handles requests with Technology Services personnel, handles the documentation of LAN wiring diagram including wiring closet identification, wiring closet equipment configuration, and wiring drop identification.
Every STS is also responsible for software administration. She/he assists in maintaining an inventory of all available software, previews and makes recommendations, regarding the selection of software for possible purchase and use in the instructional program, and is in charge of having software installed when needed. She/he also must provide training, information and other assistance to users for incorporation into instruction. Frequently as the Director of Instructional Technology, she/he provides assistance and troubleshooting when software is not working as expected, or with the extension of the software into the area of the curriculum. The STS must constantly assist with seeking the input on future needs on problems and identifying software selections. She/he also must keep current on new products available and developments in the field of educational technology along with assisting teachers with implementation of adopted district software as outlined in curriculum guides.
A school’s STS also have many responsibilities regarding hardware. She/he performs record keeping functions of hardware locations, quantities, types, and required repairs. A STS offers recommendations where future purchases and/or replacements of hardware is necessary and assists in maintenance of all equipment. Frequently a STS must troubleshoot file server and workstations system software using utility and virus protection software.
A STS is responsible to attend training sessions as necessary, to stay abreast of hardware and software utilized in the school. Then she/he is responsible to assist in the training of all the local faculty and staff in the Fulton County School System regarding school technology.
A STS also assists as a liaison between county technology personnel and school personnel to help school with planning future goals, needs expenditures and the implementation of district technology plan at the school level. Either other technology related technology duties are also assigned to the STS, the Principal of a school or designee regarding technology services of a school as needed.
A STS needs a four-year College Degree. The degree is preferably in Computer Science, Instructional Technology or a technology related field. Prior experience working with local-area networks, PC based applications; Apple Macintosh operating systems, Windows 2000, and Windows NT are also preferred.
This fall when teachers return to school all teachers in the Fulton County Schools will have a unique portal login. The portal will become the one-stop shop for whatever the teacher needs to do their jobs. A teacher will be able to easily access the tools they need such as Outlook, SAMS, Employee Express, eSchoolPlus, etc. but each teacher will also have access to netTrekker (a bank of curriculum resources). These may also be links on the teacher’s portal page to other curriculum tools like Galileo, Discovery Streaming, and Visual Thesaurus. Training will be offered through both online and f2f means. Just in-time training may be available within the tool itself such as what is now available in Employee Express. Other training will be available through Professional Learning with sign up available under the Learning Solution tab of Employee Express.
In conclusion, the Fulton County Schools Director of Technology (Kathy Polotis) is primarily concerned with the development, implementation, operation, monitoring, and evaluation of the technology programs for the school system. Kathy provides leadership in identifying hardware and software purchased, ensuring that they are consistent with the school system’s instructional technology plan and state technology guidelines. Kathy coordinates and may even deliver staff development on technology competencies needed for teaching in the Fulton County School System. Kathy also works collaboratively with other members of the school system to use technology and include technology applications as an integral part of the total instructional program.
Politis, Kathy, (2010). Fulton County School System Director of Instruction.
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