Norms for a Tech-Using Educator - Guest post

I challenged Blue Skunk Readers in last Monday's post to create a set of norms for educators to adopt when working with technology and technology departments. Librarian Christie Burke rose to the challenge by leaving this comment:

First, I'd like to say that this list makes me appreciate our tech team - they do most of these things VERY well, with a particular focus on "education first." Here are my thoughts about the flip side - the teacher dealing with the technology department:

1. Education first, just as you say. :) We are all on the same team. 
2. Be patient. A teacher has one tech issue, but the tech department supports many and may not be able to bump a given request to the front of the queue. Allow for flexibility in response time/method, especially if tech support people wear multiple hats. 
3. Be clear in communications. Screenshots and documentation are always helpful, but "I can't explain what happened" is tougher to work with. [Be prepared to say what you were doing when the problem occurred.- Blue Skunk]
4. Be kind. Remember that thing everyone's mom always said about catching flies with honey or vinegar? Honey really is better; please and thank-yous go a long way. Complaining behind someone's back has no place in a professional setting. 
5. Be willing to learn. Even those who are intimidated by a new tool or platform can move further along the path as long as they don't decide that they can't. A mindset that is about resistance and fear gets in the way of what students need to do and keeps the tech team from doing their jobs fully. [This is great!- BlueSkunk]

I'm a librarian, not part of the tech team - but I do work closely with tech, as I am often the front line of support for students. They are trying to do a hard job well, like the rest of us in the building. 

My only quibble with Christie's list is her statement "I'm a librarian, not part of the tech team ..." I'd like all librarians to see themselves as the teaching/learning part of the tech equation. 

I would also like to add that teachers could do a few routine tasks before calling in tech support: 

1. Turn it off and turn it back on. (I know, it's a cliche, but it is still true.)
2. Empty your browser cache.
3. Check your cables to make sure they are securely plugged in.
4. I find that if I am stumped by a tech problem, walking away, getting a cup of coffee, and coming back often presents a solution.
5. Put in a helpdesk ticket. Helps us track what devices and software cause the most issues and to balance the work load among techs.

Thanks.

Teachers and techs - we can make a great team - and we should for the sake of students.

Image source

Comments

[Christie]

Thanks, Doug. FWIW, our tech team includes a tech integrationist and I try to be very aware of the edges of her work and the edges of mine (though of course there is substantial overlap). Officially, I'm NOT part of the tech team, I'm faculty. Splitting hairs, maybe - but that is how the titles work around here. :)

[Doug Johnson]

Understood. Thanks again for the great ideas for the post.

Doug