Results of Technology Survey 2009

Thanks to all who contributed. The large number of people participating (29) helps us plan more accurately. (Note: not all answered every question; percentages refer to those who answered that question.)

1. To be a more effective teacher in my classroom, I would like: ways to display work that’s on my teacher computer (example: websites, DVD, youtube video, textbook website, PowerPoint presentation):

a. Daily 54% (15)
b. Weekly 14% (4)
c. Occasionally 29% (8)
d. Never 4% (1)

2. To be a more effective teacher in my classroom, I would like the following (check all that apply):

a. Student computers for use in my class 29% (6)
b. Access to computer lab for all-class computer activity using computers/internet 71% (15)
c. Ways for students to use PowerPoint and other Technologies for class presentations 29% (6)
d. A Smart Board 29% (6)

3. I would like to upgrade from a desktop to a laptop for the computer in my classroom (so that I can take my computer to Duty, take my computer home, etc.)

a. Yes 22% (5)
b. No 26% (6)
c. Does not apply 52% (12)

4. I’d like to learn how to do the following (please check all that apply)

a. To use a thumb drive to move documents between school & home 0% (0)
b. To use Edline File Locker to move documents between school, home 43% (6)
c. To use PowerPoint 43% (6)
d. To use Excel 7% (1)
e. To use Email 7% (1)
f. To use Edline 0% (0)
g. To use Gradequick 7% (1)
h. To find free resources from internet to use in my class 43% (6)

5. Please tell us more about what you’d like to learn (including matters we might not have included above):

PowerPoint presentation. More proficient with Powerpoint and how to use computer in my classroom for all-class presentations. New features in PowerPoint and Excel. Squirrelmail. How to set up Podcast teaching scheme. Can the school afford new technology? We are addressing these needs individually.

6. Our school website (saint-bernard.com), which presents the school’s face to the world, should include the following:

a. Academic offerings, standards, goals, mission 79% (19)
b. Pictures/videos of students in academics, extracurricular 83% (20)
c. Faculty degrees 42% (10)
d. Alumni activities and information 63% (15)
e. Admissions activities and information 71% (17)
f. Current information about today’s activities 58% (14)
g. Showcase of student work 50% (12)
h. Present a polished, professional appearance 92% (22)
i. Be easy to use 92% (22)

7. Does our present school website meet these needs?

a. Yes 29% (6)
b. No 71% (15)

8. Are you experiencing any technology problems at this time?

• 7 people responded and we are addressing these problems.

Thank you again for your useful participation and feedback. You’ve helped us plan for the coming year(s).

Has anybody pretended to be you?

Recently, I discovered that a student thought it would be funny to create a Facebook page, using my name; he pretended to be me.  He doesn’t think it’s so funny anymore.  But anybody can impersonate you online, so I thought it would be useful to tell how to identify if this has happened to you. 

Every couple of months, Google yourself.  Go to Google and in the Search field, enter the name you normally use, and put it in quotes, like this:     ”Fran Lo”    This way Google searches on your name, not on just your first name and just your last name; you’ll you have fewer entries to look at.  You might also want to do a search like:  facebook “my name”    or    myspace  “my name”     You can do this in just a few minutes.

You will be amazed at how many people around the world  have your exact name.  And you may discover something a student has posted about you without your consent.  Because if kids can do stupid things, kids will do stupid things.

Why no Wikipedia example

If your students want to know why they shouldn’t use Wikipedia, here’s a perfect example.  A college student deliberately inserted a fake quote into the Wikipedia page about a public figure who had just died – and the fake quote was included in many newspaper obituaries as if it was something said by the public figure. 

Kind of amazing when the quote was listed in Wikipedia without a link showing where it came from (usually a clue that the information may be bogus).  Only a few of the newspapers have apologized…  

More ways to communicate

Still more ways of communicating with prospective and current students and parents

                Because so many of our prospective students use Facebook, St. Bernard has a Facebook page at

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Uncasville-CT/Saint-Bernard-School/60005107447.

A Facebook page is a great place for photos and videos that help prospective – and current – students and parents learn more about our school.    People who wouldn’t search out our school website might be more likely to look us up on Facebook.

If you have such materials that could be added, please forward these to Molly Murkett at mmurkett@saint-bernard.com.  You don’t need a Facebook account to do this.

(By the way, you’ll need to look at the school’s Facebook page at home, as Facebook is blocked at school.) 

Since our students are so often on Facebook, if you are a faculty advisor for a club, activity, or event, you might want to consider using Facebook to promote participation.  According to Molly, “As of 4/26/09 there are 160 fans of the Saint Bernard School page. Fans receive updates and messages that are an additional reminder for upcoming events and activities.”

Even if Facebook is outside your comfort zone, if you email the materials to Molly, she can add your information to the St. Bernard page.  Molly is available at x131.

There is also a Saints blog you can follow or contribute to (again at home) at http://sbsambassadors.blogspot.com/   Again, contact Molly for more information.