What I Know
Equal access to technology can be a determining factor between successful and unsuccessful students. Cox Cable's Connect2Compete Program ($10/mo internet access for low-income families) states: "According to some research reports, more than three fourths of K-12 teachers in the United States assign Internet-based homework and 71 percent of teens use the Internet as the primary source for their school projects. In other words, having a PC and broadband at home is more than a nice to have – they’re essential components in helping students connect and succeed in the classroom and beyond." Schools have a responsibility to level the playing field as much as they can. We are preparing our students for jobs that do not yet exist. In order for them to compete with other job-seekers, they need to have tech skills. However, it is unwise for school districts to jump into implementing the next new tech trend, without looking at its impact. Questions: Is this tech sustainable? How does it fit in with the existing technology? Does it help our students meet their goals? What I Would Like to Know 1. I want to become more familiar/comfortable with the terminology being used in this course. 2. I want to know more about schools structure their technology. For my case study, I want to understand more about the middle school's current state, future state, and the gaps they have. 3. Is EA used in my school district? If so, to what degree? 4. Can I be a bridge between our adult school teachers and the Technology Coaches that most do not know are available to them? 5. How can I become more equipped to make decisions that an administrator would make in regards to technology? What I Learned I was exposed to terminology that is completely foreign to me. For example a framework is a "logical structure for classifying and organizing complex information." EA frameworks have different approaches and varying levels of detail. Below are each of the six frameworks covered in our readings this week and a brief summary of each: Zachman - developed by John Zachman in 1987. It provides a visual representation (in columns) of the organization and shows the who, what, where, when, how and why. DoDAF -started in 1990. Interoperability is the goal here. It is a way of uniting and linking Operational, System and Technical Standards. FEAF - developed in 1990. Its goal is to integrate the different architectures within the Federal Government. Doing this would allow customers to access information better and faster. TEAF - published in 2000 by the Dept. of the Treasury. Its aim is to integrate the different enterprises, share information. In order to best do this, interrelationships needs to be mapped out. TOGAF - developed in 1995. It focuses on business applications critical to the mission of the organization. It explains rules to develop good principles and provides guidance of IT resources. Gartner - EA is a continuous process. The current state is assessed and objectives are set to reach a future state. Resources: Be Entertained, No Matter Your Mood. (n.d.). Retrieved January 27, 2016, from https://cox.com/residential/home.html (2012). An Introduction To Enterprise Architecture: Third Edition ... Retrieved January 27, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/An-Introduction-To-Enterprise-Architecture/dp/1477258000. Urbaczewski, L. (2010). a comparison of enterprise architecture frameworks. Retrieved January 29, 2016 from http://ggatz.com/images/SOA_COMPARE.pdf. Cameron, B. (2013). Analyzing the Current Trends in Enterprise Architecture ... Retrieved January 31, 2016 from http://ea.ist.psu.edu/documents/journal_feb2013_cameron_2.pdf. I interviewed the Principal of Middle School A. Although optimistic about the increasing level of technology, the principal explained that a lack of training and not enough time was the largest gap for the technology they had. Although they had the means to provide free training from an outside source, the district still could not afford to pay teachers for the required amount of training time. Instead, it was expected that teachers learn as they teach, from peers, or from the Technology Coaches.
This is a 1:1 iPad school. I know from my participation in School Site Council, that this school learned from the mistakes of other schools. While other schools, gave the students iPads with little training and let them take it home, School A took a different approach. Not only were students trained, but parents too. Students checked out their iPad at school and checked them back in at the end of the day. It seems like the other challenges, like bandwidth have been dealt with. So, what remains? Adequate and on-going training for teachers and students. The principal's closing remarks were: “These are exciting times with technology. But time and training is needed. A common misstep is believing the students can do everything in technology just because students are digital natives. We still need to teach them tech literacy.” Click Module 1 Assignment to view a more detailed slideshow. Enterprise Architecture is a way to improve efficiency and save time. If IT is not built meaningfully with a “big picture” mentality you can have what’s called “Hairball Architecture” or a big mess. Changing one thing, can unravel the whole system. The best way to build IT systems is to make it as flexible as possible, so that there is freedom to change and improve.
Each new project needs “Project Start Architecture” or a whole plan - to install new applications, explain how they are used, and explain the hardware needed. This begins with one person - a Project Architect, whose job is to analyze the current state, develop and evaluate designs to improve, and create a detailed plan for the future for all to understand. All of this is done, with the overview and approval of an Architect Board. By looking at the “big picture” with a forward-looking mindset, companies and schools can invest money meaningfully in IT instead of wasting money. The concepts of Enterprise Architecture relate to my current role as TOSA and aspiring Tech TOSA, by shaping my thinking about technology. While I get excited about the new things I learn and want to share with other teachers, I realize that if teachers don't see the value of it or do not have access to the tech, it's not beneficial for them. Instead, I try to meet their tech needs where they are. I have built up a Google Drive ESL Sharing Folder, containing other folders, and encourage teachers to contribute. This seems like a small thing, but it doesn't cost money (just time) and it is sustainable. As a future administrator, I will remember that flexibility and sustainability are important. Reference Wierda, G. (2013. April 19). Why Enterprise Architecture? Retrieved January 21, 2016. |
Details
AuthorPassionate Adult ESL Instructor and TOSA at Grossmont Adult School. Former Adjunct at San Diego Community College District. Seeking the best ways to utilize technology in the classroom and in professional life. Archives
April 2016
Categories |