tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524304515904591432.post8777929615124092772..comments2023-05-04T04:34:57.216-04:00Comments on The Candid Librarian: The Fix-It Fine LineJennifer Northruphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12097409206233243281noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524304515904591432.post-7384245155604884262014-02-20T13:58:27.355-05:002014-02-20T13:58:27.355-05:00Thanks for sharing your workorder idea and for ill...Thanks for sharing your workorder idea and for illustrating yet again why we need to advocate for our positions and our libraries. It is amazing to me that no matter how far we've come in terms of our standards and our necessary roles in the school setting, we're still being seen as the "fixer of all things that plug in." You're correct that our degrees at no point include any sort of troubleshooting, really. I thought the disappearance of VCRs and overhead projectors might eliminate some workorders, but we quickly replace those issues with iPad trouble, data projector woes and people who still do not understand that the plug in the back of the monitor sometimes gets bumped loose and the monitor is not actually "dead."<br />I appreciate that you found a way to balance your willingness to facilitate teachers being able to continue to "provide quality instruction" and yet attempt not to impede your own ability to provide that same quality of instruction in your own role. It is still a battle to balance and to "people manage," but your tech request stationary is a huge step forward in this process. Thank you!!Natalie E.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524304515904591432.post-16616176048009288272013-07-17T08:31:39.690-04:002013-07-17T08:31:39.690-04:00In our district, there is a person designated as t...In our district, there is a person designated as the ITS (Instructional Technology Specialist) who is responsible for trouble shooting and simple repairs. I did that job for years and it was overwhelming. Last year I finally gave it up and the teacher in charge of our Mac Lab took it over and she has the time to do a much better job than I did. It's taken a little while for everyone to understand that I no longer do the repairs, but nobody has been rude or ugly about it. The best part: NO AMTR (except the media section (honestly, it was the AMTR plus being co-testing coordinator that made me finally decide to give up the position.<br /><br />I have been fortunate that teachers are pretty respectful of not interrupting me when I am teaching. They have also learned that my memory is horrible, so emails work so much better.Paige Y.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06149764393899272585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524304515904591432.post-66345018237619952602013-07-17T08:05:13.665-04:002013-07-17T08:05:13.665-04:00I had a lot of similar experiences Jennifer. In m...I had a lot of similar experiences Jennifer. In my district SBTC (school-based technolgy coordinator) is a stipend position. People forget it is not my "real" job of Teacher librarian. I have a full fixed schedule of classes daily. For years I wanted to quit the SBTC position but would end up taking it anyway as there was no one else in the building to do it. It was NOT required! I could have said no but I felt for the good of the school community I should continue.<br />My class instruction has been interupted numerous times by students carrying notes of technology issues. Sigh. Some I acted on, but most I sent a written/verbal message that I would come during "my planning" time to assist them. People did get better about interuptions. <br />I also began to tell teachers that good quality/timely technology maintenance was becoming a union issue. In my opinion a full-time technology person (combined hardware/software & instructional technology integration) is needed at every site. In these tough economic times you won't see that happen until classroom teachers, parents, the whole school community raise their voices. <br /><br />My opinion. If you want working technology and teachers to implement technology effectively you need proper support. Maybe we could spend a little less on standardized tests and ever "new" teacher evaluation systems then channel that money where it is REALLY needed. ;) Not an "expert" but actually physically working in a school building on a daily basis should give me some "reality cred"Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07959269456263578202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7524304515904591432.post-355322170769796202013-07-17T07:27:44.059-04:002013-07-17T07:27:44.059-04:00I had a similar experience with laminating. After ...I had a similar experience with laminating. After a teacher sent a student with a huge stack of things to me in the middle of a lesson I sent them back to class and said I turned it on for her when she gets her planning it would be hot. She proceeded to complain about me in front of the entire class. Of course they came and told me. I had to address it and she tried to guess which student told me instead of admitting she was wrong. UghAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07786475320854134785noreply@blogger.com