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January 1, 1997
The Internet Helps People Solve Problems . . . Fast!
by Marlene Goss
Quick! What is a "technology specialist?" I need to hire one.
Answer: Quick! Post your question on Internet!
Hi! Just call me "Cyberseed Annie." That's what people have
been calling me lately. I'm planting seeds of change in a place called cyberspace. I do it
by helping educational leaders use Internet to solve problems fast.
The Internet helps people solve problems in hundreds of ways. The
example below shows when good answers come fast.. energy can be spent on ACTION steps
instead of being stuck with not knowing what to do!
This summer, a superintendent and two principals in a New Jersey school
district told me they had a problem and needed a quick answer. The principals were in
their last round of interviews for a "technology specialist" for their school
district. They had extended the hours of a custodial staff member for the following year
to do computer troubleshooting, load software, and wire the computers in the building. Now
they were searching for a technology specialist, but they wondered just what were the
right criteria and job description for the position.
On July 25, 1996, I met with them and promised to gather some
"good" information to help them with their problem. I promised I would fax them
information in the next few days. I knew they had to make a decision soon. School was
starting in four weeks.
Here's what I did. I gathered some printed information from current
educational journals about technology specialists. It was easy to do. I just used the askERIC database. Then when I was online using my
Internet account, I suddenly thought about asking my online colleagues at the Consortium
for School Networking (CoSN) listserv: "What is a tech specialist supposed to do, and
what credentials should they have?" Within two days I had many answers from people
who knew exactly what I was talking about. They answered me, pronto!
I printed the answers and faxed them to the two principals and the
superintendent. If they had had an Internet account, they would have had the answers in
seconds.
Here is how I used Internet to help answer the problem. I posted my
problem to the CoSN listserv and other colleagues such as Len Scrogan and Fern Entrekin. I
know their e-mail addresses and keep them handy in my address book. I knew Len and Fern
would answer quickly; they are my cyberspace friends. They have a pioneering spirit and
readily share their information and wisdom.
I was able to post to CoSN, because I am listserv member. Anyone can
become a CoSN member by sending an e-mail to listproc@cren.list.org.
In the body of the e-mail write, "subscribe cosndisc." You should immediately
receive a response that confirms you are on the "list" and will receive messages
whenever someone posts to the list. From then on you can post to CoSN. This is done by
sending a message to cosndisc@cren.list.org.
In my CoSN listserv posting, I gave some background and then asked the
following questions on behalf of the district superintendent and the two principals.
- What responsibilities should a tech specialist have?
- What credentials should she or he have?
- What should the job description be?
- What are the worst mistakes to avoid?
- What have I forgotten to ask?
- Any references that would be helpful?
I had replies within 48 hours. Here they are, slightly edited by
Cyberseed Annie.
Responses:
- From Len Scrogan, a consummate technology
specialist in Boulder, Colorado. An educator, technology specialist and writer of
"Tools for Change," a great guidebook for educational leaders, Len is
instrumental in networking Boulder’s Colorado Community.
- From Jerry Taylor, someone I’ve never
met. Jerry offers the job description for his own position.
- From Fern Entrekin, a friend and colleague.
Fern directs Learning Resources, an organization that supports teachers with developmental
strategies for using Internet and other educational technologies in the classroom.
- From RWONG@weber.edu, a member of the CoSN
listserv and another stranger to me.
Results:
Once I received all of this advice, netiquette required me to post an
abbreviated version of the replies I received back to the CoSN listserv for others to
read. Because the responses came only to me, it was my responsibility to share them. I
also kept an electronic file on my hard drive, so that I can always get to this
information quickly.
On August 1, 1996, I faxed the responses to the principals and the
superintendent. My cover letter shared the excitement I felt about how quickly the
Internet helped us out.
"I planted the seed of change," I told them. "Nothing
else in the world could have helped us as fast as the Internet!"
I sent them a copy of the message I posted to CoSN. I mentioned that it
was my opinion that we got answers so quickly because of the magic of the Internet’s
asynchronous technology. This allowed us to pose our questions to CoSN, a community of
learners numbering more than 750 educators, in addition to my friends on the Internet, who
are the most giving and sharing people I know. The Internet is a valuable tool like no
other. The information I received over it was added to the printed articles, experiences,
and anecdotal information that I had gathered before. I filed it all away for easy
reference in the future.
On August 15, 1996, I called one of the principals, my primary contact
at the school district, and asked if the selection of the tech specialist had occurred yet
and whether the faxed material gathered from Internet helped at all. She informed me that
the information not only helped, but also "catalyzed" them to discuss technology
with more understanding than they had before. The descriptions and advice informed them,
gave them an opportunity to reflect on their long-term technology plans, and helped them
crystallize a framework for technology integration.
The answers helped them understand the pieces they were working with
better, and now they looked forward with more assurance and confidence. She also spoke of
feeling that they were at a new and higher level, ready to move forward. They were down to
their final "callbacks" and were ready to make a decision.
Some other observations. I was told that the new tech specialist would
be central to the planning for technology integration. The principals were candid with
candidates and asked them about specific technology roles they wanted to implement at the
schools. The candidates were asked to explain how they would be successful. The principals
more effectively described what they wanted done by a tech specialist because they had
more information in their hands from people who were actually involved with integrating
technology in schools.
A seed of thought for you. Finding the right technology specialist is
not an easy task. This "snapshot" explains how I used Internet. I hope it helps
you the next time you have a problem. Any question whose answer could help move you to
take action steps could be posted to a listserv for fast response. I offer this experience
to you to show that an Internet posting (which takes only a few minutes and a relatively
low level of skill) can "catalyze" educational leaders just like you when
answers come back quickly and provide a base of information. Good answers and strategic
actions help build appropriate learning communities.
There are hundreds of educational listservs and millions of people who
use the Internet daily. No other tool in this world can connect you to so many people who
have good answers to your questions. Cyberspace is a wonderful new world. Next time you
have a question, don't hesitate to ask.
Other Seeds of Interest
What are the ABCs of the Internet?
How do you build the four pillars for technology literacy?
Marlene Goss
Director: Arks and Bridges Programs
(215) 947-5553; fax (215) 938-0626
e-mail: gossAnB@aol.com
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