Hot technology topics in Vermont

Several topics have been lighting up the list-serv for Vermont educational technologists in recent days... I expect these are a sign of the times:

1) Acceptable use policies-- as technology has become more deeply embedded in curriculum and instruction, the stance that "using technology is a privilege" is increasingly untenable. Sure if a student is misusing technology, then that needs to be addressed and separating the technology and the student may be necessary (just like we would all take a pencil away from a student who was poking others with it). A student who "looses computer privileges" in the 21st century is loosing the opportunity for a free and appropriate education.

Increasingly, school policy is "assumed" relative to technology... school leaders assume that parents agree to allow their children to use the technology resources in the school (just like they assume parents agree to allow their children to use books and paint brushes and similar tools) and that action must be taken for the parents to opt out of that aspect of education for their children.

2) School technology personnel-- school technology personnel tend to fall into several categories- teachers, administrators (especially those who have access to email and other information stored on networks), and support personnel. Their role in the classroom, their status within unions, and their protection from reduction are all issues that must be addressed.

These and other issues are challenging traditional school planning and organization, and these challenges will grow as cloud computing changes needs for technology support and simplify tasks that previously required significant expertise.