Tech abuse
Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 08:00AM Last Saturday I posted an old letter sent to teachers from a "tech's" POV, explaining why some of the security processes put in place are necessary. In response, I received the comment below that is sufficiently horrific that I am elevating it from comment to post status. My reaction in italics following.
BTW, I was thinking about these comments a lot as our department selected a new building technician. One of my core beliefs is that one can always teach a new employee tech skills, but it's nearly impossible to change a person's fundamental human relations skills. We offered the job to a fellow who reported receiving 4.9 out of 5 rating on customer satisfaction surveys in his last job.'Nuff said.
Comments from Kimberly
I understand what you are saying. Here are my problems
5.[Numbers reference items in original post.] I am told, by the tech department to use an app that controls my computer/whiteboard. The app requires an install on the desktop. I don't have permissions to install. My Campus Instruction Technology Specialist can install it but not so that it works under my log in. So I have to put in a work order that takes weeks.
5. and 10. I have IPADS, I am REQUIRED to set up my own account to download apps. I pay for the apps. I have to haul them home and use my bandwidth to update, back up and install apps sometimes because the filter gets cranky and won't let me get to the app store. Then I get yelled at for using amazon to look up a book I want for the classroom, or checking that my direct deposit actually got into my bank account - and wasn't delayed 3 days like it was a couple of months ago.
7. I put in a work order about a computer that the fan is making a loud wheezing sound and I specify that
A. I tried shutting it down making sure the air vents were clear.
B. That I timed it and the sound starts after the computer has been on for 45 min.
C. That the case is hot to the touch so I'm turning it off. If they call me before the tech heads out I'll turn it on.
Tech comes in turns it on, boots it up, waits 5 minutes, and I kid you NOT pats me on the head (in front of students) and tells me he knows woomenn don't understand machines and it is fine. I registered my complaint with my principal, HR, and the help desk on that one. They had a different tech back at our school in about 30 minutes. He took it back and there was a blasted RECALL on that brand and model for over heating.
5. During an "emergency" (drill and kill software not working) I am given permissions to install some software and fix a bug. I spend my conference period, and time before and after school fixing this and get yelled at for the time it takes. I know of 4 other people that could help, they volunteered, but I'm told no they can't help. (Some of these people hold degrees in computer science and switched over to teaching. My degree is in Poli Sci and I added on teaching)
10. I would add it is NOT your e-mail. Honestly this is the first election since I started teaching that I haven't had to tell multiple coworkers to stop e-mailing me political stuff - they put it on facebook. I don't have to see it. Win Win
Bonus - social networks - This one is on my principal not our tech department. Last year it was you are all fools for being on facebook, you can't friend any student not even your own kid or their friends until they are 18) (Turns out he was wrong if know the kid outside of school you can friend them.) If you post something negative about our school I can fire you.
This year it is you have to join facebook, you have to like our page, you have to vote so we get target gift cards, you have to let us post pictures of you and Tag them (I don't allow pictures of myself to be taken much lest posted), you have to friend parents. HELL NO - facebook is for me, my family, and my friends. I am not going to friend a student's parent and risk them coming unglued because my university aged relatives post something stupid. they did. I'm not going to defriend my niece or her cousins because of what they might post. I'm the sort of cool cousin/aunt. I will come pull you out of the fire, give you 24 hours to fess up your stupidity to your parents before I do. I'm not cutting that contact. What about my political friends and family. It is a political year what if the parents don't like family members' positions. As for parents they have edmodo, the class blog, school e-mail, school phone, and mobile phone* to contact me they don't need facebook.
*I have always given it out with guidelines. Never been abused. During a weather emergency I had parents from that year and the year before calling me because our IP phone system couldn't handle the volume.
Kimberly,
I hear echos of your concerns from frustrated teachers in our district and each time I do, I wince. I have no defense for unprofessional behavior in any tech department staff member.
Your district's technology departmnt sounds desparately understaffed and poorly managed. And while I hope it is an exception to the rule, it may be typical of many, many districts.
On the Facebook/social networking thing, cut your admins a little slack. Everyone is still trying to figure out if and how these new resources are used in education. I keep hoping Facebook will allow the creation of both personal and professional accounts, simplifying a great many things.
Cut us a little slack on iPads too. These devices were designed for personal, not institutional, use so we are all figuring out how to manage them. My sense is the desire to select and add apps immediately will increase personal responsibility for managing these devices.
Thanks again for the wake-up call.
Mordoc Doug
Reader Comments (2)
"Tech comes in turns it on, boots it up, waits 5 minutes, and I kid you NOT pats me on the head (in front of students) and tells me he knows women don't understand machines and it is fine."
OMG!!! I had hoped those days were gone forever. "Oh darn, little old me is just CLUELESS about this big bad machine and that internet thingy". Geeeshhh!!
Absolutely LOVE the graphic.
Also - I have a new job for you Doug. You need to design a course in personal interaction skills between techs and teachers/clients. Perhaps a good chunk of it could be directed at developing the empathy, clear directions, and humor that you use!!
Hi Jacquie,
"Social Skills for Technical Workers" - hmmmmm, it would either be really long or really short!
It does sound like a fun challenge, however.
Doug