I have taught Computer Studies at The Haverford School since 1989. During this time, my title has gone from computer teacher, to Computer Department Chair, to Technology Coordinator, to Computer Specialist. What follows are goals that I have set for myself as Computer Specialist for the Lower School.

I. Define the role of Computer Specialist
a. work with LS teachers to incorporate computer use into the curriculum.
b. maintain lab and classroom computers
c. troubleshoot academic technology problems
d. provide training  and  RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
e. infuse technology into the curriculum
    1. research curriculum connections and develop lesson plans and grant proposals
    2. computers in the classroom: AlphaSmarts, desktops, laptops.
    3. centers in the classroom
    4. presentation systems in the classroom
f. re-evaluate the Computer Studies curriculum
g. support comment retrieval/filing over the network
h. encourage and support electronic communication via the Internet:
   1. faculty e-mail with hot-links to curriculum related sites
   2. student address book for individual feedback and group communication
   3. parent address book for appointments and notices
   4. teacher web pages
            a. use teacher pages in Computer Studies and other curriculum
            b. create and update own web page
            c. student web pages
                1. for use in reports
                2. portfolio assessment
                3. re-examine the internal vs. external issue
    6. Listserves
            a. ADVIS
    7. Memberships
            a. ISTE
            b. Scholastic Network
            c. Apple Learning Interchange

II. Keep abreast of current trends in educational technology
a. take graduate level courses in Educational Technology – Rosemont College
b. Researchers Writing and Technology Project - http://www.mevw.org
c. attend a professional workshop or conference – PETC in March
Laptop Summit - Seattle, Washington
d. visit other schools
e. subscribe to technical journals
f.  ISTE Technology Standards for Students

III. Hardware solution for Lower School in year 2000-2001
    Acquired:
a. AlphaSmart cart: 30 AlphaSmarts, cables for Mac and PC
b. Three Dells in each 2nd grade classroom
c. Hand-me-down Macs into the pre-K and kindergarten
    Still Need:
a. Mini-lab with combination of Macs and Dells, scanner, video camera
b. New computers in 3rd, 4th and some 5th grade classrooms.
c. A second AlphaSmart cart
 

IV. Maintain a non-technical role in the school
a. Dean
b. Coaching
c. Mentoring
d. Minds in Motion
 

The Teacher Website
http://teachers.net/
Resources, projects,  teacher chatboards and more!

Harcourt Brace: The Learning Site
http://www.hbschool.com/
A site that blends interactive learning for kids in grades K-8 with resources for teachers and
parents -- all to complement Harcourt Brace school publications.

Teacher Resources
http://stcharles.k12.la.us/schoolwww/hurst/links.htm
St. Charles Parish Public Schools offer a wonderful site that includes links to subject areas complete with project ideas and lesson plans.

The Global Schoolhouse
http://www.globalschoolhouse.org/
Linking kids, teachers and parents around the world.

Apple Learning Interchange
http://ali.apple.com/FMPro?-db=dnd.fp3&-format=ali/index.html&-view
More than 11,900 of your colleagues have joined the Apple Learning Interchange. The site offers resources, units, projects, lesson plans and staff development opportunities.

Scholastic Network
http://www.scholasticnetwork.com
A great resource for students and teachers in all curriculum areas. The site is updated with seasonal themes, authors online, current events and various curricular games, contests and activites. Haverford School teachers should contact Jay Brown to get our user name and password.

Ask Jeeves
http://www.askjeeves.com/
This site allows the user to type a question and receive links to appropriate sites on the Internet.

Ask Jeeves for Kids Teacher Resources
http://ajkids.com/Teachers.asp
Lesson plans, interactive classroom projects, glossaries, quizzes and more!

Dogpile
http://www.dogpile.com
This site is a multi-search engine which compiles the results of many differents search engines, thus providing a broad search.

InfoPlease
http://www.infoplease.com
A dictionary and encyclopedia rolled into one.

Education World
http://www.education-world.com/
Where educators go to learn.

Education Week on the Web
http://www.edweek.org/
American education's online newspaper.