Christian Howd's List: Technology Staffing

• In discussing this issue with school administrators, I recommend a model that separates these roles into four different positions: director of technology, help desk analyst, on-site technician, and computer teacher or lab moderator.

• "Tech Support Rule-of-Thumb"

   

  Keep in mind that the corporate standard is to have one support personnel for every 50 laptops or PCs. In schools that distribute computers to every student, that means 400 students and faculty members would require a technology staff of eight-hardly the norm.

• Recently, the state of Maryland adopted a new five-year technology plan calling for "at least one technical support person for every 300 computer work stations" and "at least one LAN/WAN administrator per 1,250 computers." Few schools in the state currently meet this standard, which for some represents an unattainable dream.

• In an ideal world, districts would hire two people to head the technology team-one from the education field and one from a technology field-with supervisory authority given to the educational administrator. Together they could offer the district both the best in curricular integration and the best boxes, wires, and software to meet their learning and productivity goals.
• Training: Technology directors know they must stay ahead of the curve. Such directors are good for the school district since they prevent investments in technology that is about to become passe. What's more, they need to keep abreast of innovations in curricular integration. Technology is always changing. Those who direct technology have a burning desire to upgrade their skills and will feel hamstrung if a district does not understand and support that notion.
• Conferences: Sending the tech staff to state and national conferences sends the message that the district wants to keep its staff in the know.

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