TIE 557 - Understanding Networks in Schools
 
  Course Description
  Artifact
  Reflection
  Standards

Course Description:
This course provides educators with an overview of issues related to the selection, installation, and maintenance of computer networks in school settings. Students identify, describe, and analyze procedures related to basic troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, and procurement of networking services. Students explore ways of working with technology support personnel to maximize the use of technology resources to improve student learning. Students research, evaluate, and develop a needs assessment and a proposal used to determine what specifications are needed to fulfill district/school requirements.

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Artifact:
The final project for this course was a network design for a school. For this assignment, I worked with a school of over 600 students and staff that had very little in the way of access to technology, and expanded the network with a wireless LAN throughout the school. The Appendix for this assignment was the RFP which would be distributed to any contractor willing to bid on this project.To access the RFP, click here.

 

Reflection:
This class and therefore this artifact represent a tremendous amount of professional growth for me. My experience before this class (with the possible exception of TIE532, Computers and Related Peripherals), was on the integration of technology in the teaching-learning process, and was dominated by learning theories and integration techniques. This class was an in-depth look at network technology and the wires and boxes that connect us all so that we can collaborate and learn from one another.

In the process of completing this course, I set up a small network of computers in my home attic. Because I was not working in a school setting at the time, this allowed me to see how networks are created and maintained on a very small scale.

This project, a proposal for a Local Area Network, put into practice my understandings of networks and expanded it to the school setting. I was able to learn about the hardware necessary to join separate nodes in a network into one unified whole.

Ultimately, I chose a wireless network for the school, with wireless printers and laptop computers. This enables students and teachers to work seamlessly with the Internet no matter where they are or even if they move from one place to another. This transparency is an essential factor, in my opinion, to assisting teachers as they work to integrate technology and make it an important part of their students' learning.

Another part of my work for this course was an evaluation and revision of the current syllabus for this course. Working with the instructor, Bruce Ahlborn, and fellow student and technology coordinator Eric Slaughter, I worked on the document which is attached here.

 

Standards:
The standards covered in this project include:
  Technology Facilitator Standard One (TF-1.A, B)
  Educational technology facilitators demonstrate an in-depth understanding of technology operations and concepts.
  This project demonstrates mastery of the above standards because in creating the design of the network and the RFP to go with it, I had to have an in-depth knowledge of technology systems and functions (TF-1.A) The fact that I was able to create a computer network in my home is an example of my understanding. In order to write both the proposal and the RFP, I also had to have an in-depth understanding of the functions of various computer and peripheral devices, network topologies, the interrelationships of the various parts, the specfications of cables, routers, switches, wireless and other devices. I also needed to stay abreast of current trends emerging technologies in order to take advantage of the latest eqipments and technology systems (TF-1.B).
   
  Technology Facilitator Standard Two (TF-2.C, D)
  Educational technology facilitators plan, design, and model effective learning environments and multiple experiences supported by technology.
  In order to make the recommendations in my proposal, I needed to identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability (TF-2.C). It also required that I plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities, so that students and teachers would have greater access to technology (increase overall number of computers, use of laptop carts), could experience technology seamlessly without worrying about moving out of range of a wireless access point (switch with capability of moving users to access point with more free capacity), or not having access to a printer from whatever computer they were working on (wireless printers). (TF-2.D)
   
  Technology Facilitator Standard Six (TF-6.E)
  Educational technology facilitators undertand the social, ethical, legal and human issues surrounding the use of technology in P-12 schools and assist teachers in applying that understanding in their practice.
  This proposal includes technology hardware as well as specifications for professional development. It is a plan for implementation of technology to insure that technology is available to all students and teachers equitably. (TF-6.E)
   
  Technology Facilitator Standard Seven (TF-7.A, B)
  Educational technology facilitators promote the development and implementation of technology infrastructure, procedures, policies, plans and budgets for P-12 schools.
  This plan reflects TF-7.A and 7.B in that it is intended to promote the implementation of technology infrastructure within a school of 600 students. It includes a budget for such and the procedures for implementation of the computers and related peripherals.
   
  Technology Facilitator Standard Eight (TF-8.D, E)
  Educational technology facilitators will contribute to the shared vision for campus integration of technology and foster an environment and culture conducive to the realization of the vision.
  As part of the technology committee proposing this Local Area Network and its design, the Leadership and Vision standard, TF-8, is addressed in the development and evaluation of district technology planning and implementation (TF-8.D). I examined all the components necessary to achieve the vision of greater student access and developed the wireless LAN system (TF-8.E).