ExplorNet News

ASHEVILLE, NC - Giving students the opportunity for hands-on experience is a key component of QTL's IT programs. Some teachers are able to do this through student tech support programs in their school. But what happens when that isn't possible?

Teachers attending a workshop in Asheville, NC heard how a positive relationship has led to a creative solution.

Burke County Technology Director Scott Smith is responsible for some 4,500 computers across his school district in the foothills. He has a small staff, and says he needs tight control over the system's technology infrastructure. He needs the computers to be standardized, and he prefers that his own employees do the maintenance rather than allowing students an opportunity to do the work. In this regard, he is like many other tech directors faced with a daunting job.

But Smith also realizes that Burke County's IT teachers - Wayne Whaley at East Burke High and Brett Buchanan at Freedom High - have legitimate needs in their Computer Engineering and Networking classroom. He supports the programs and has even hired students to do work such as wiring classrooms. And through a positive, communicative relationship, he's making sure they can get hands-on experience in their classrooms.

Whaley, a QTL Regional Facilitator, asked Smith to speak at the workshop and to share ways they have compromised and found ways to give students hands-on experirence with technology, while protecting each others' interests.

"He understands the Computer Engineering program," says Whaley. "He has actually helped me understand what I needed to do in the classroom. I can actually teach the kids instead of having to fight with somebody."

What they've done is to use a router to section Whaley's classroom off from the rest of the school network. Through the router interface, Whaley can control what his students can and cannot do - down to which web sites they can visit on which days, if he wants. He can prevent them from accessing Yahoo chat or sites like myspace.com that are inappropriate for the classroom. Students have Internet access, but can't get into the school's network. If necessary, he can shut down their access immediately.

As a result, East Burke students can install operating systems, experiment with networking, and perform other hands-on activities as needed without posing a threat to the school network. They get the experience they need. Whaley maintains the computers inside his classroom, and though Smith's staff will help fix a problem if needed, that rarely comes about.

"I trust Wayne to do this and I know he is responsible," says Smith. "That really makes me feel better. If he was a slack teacher, that would be different."

That relationship took time to build. At first, Smith was even opposed to letting students install operating systems. Then he studied the course blueprint and realized how important that activity is to students' understanding of the content. Communication was the key.

For teachers struggling for a better relationship with tech staff, Smith recommends the respectful approach possible, and a spirit of cooperation and compromise.

"If you go in and say 'I HAVE to...' they may cut you off. But if you go in and say 'my curriculum requires this' and ask them to work with you, they will more likely try to help you come up with a solution."

For more information, contact Robin Fred via e-mail at rfred@qtlcenters.org or call him at 888.507.3800.