Tech Without Support: IT Snags Hamper Schools' Technology Use

Moses, A. R. (2008). Tech Without Support: IT Snags Hamper Schools’ Technology Use. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/ikid-school-technology-support

Alexandra R. Moses explores how schools that lack technical support for their classrooms cannot use the technology available to them to their maximum potential. Moses claims that almost half the teachers surveyed by the National Education Association said that lack of technical support at their schools affected their use of technology (Moses, 2008). This is the reason why, Moses says, tech support is “setting the speed limit for how fast new technology makes it into classrooms” (Moses, 2008).

With funding being short, schools have found creative ways to solve their tech support problems. One example given was that of Zion-Benton Township High school in Illinois where a club called the TechCrew spends time after school fixing computers. Some of the club members are allowed to come back to work for pay during the summer. Another example is the Mouse Squad which trains students in Chicago, New York and California to help install programs, set up printers and do other computer maintenance work. Although skeptics worry about allowing too much computer access to students, proponents of the programs say that a lot of work can be done under guidance and boundaries. Teachers have also been used as stand-in tech support in schools. This can overburden educators, however, who already have heavy loads.

While these are all options if funding is no there, Moses argues that eventually all schools are going to need sufficient tech support in order to take advantages of the new technological advances. Some districts in states like Virginia are already putting mandates in place. According to Moses , the idea situation would be a mix between official support and teachers who have technological know-how.

This article brings to light a problem that will mostly likely become increasingly important. As we see smart boards, online classes and other technologies become the norm, tech support will not just be a nice asset, but an essential. It is also good to know about alternatives if one finds themselves at a school that does not offer tech support.