RE Log Fall 2018

)$// Ransom Everglades LOG 33 5( XVHV WHFKQRORJy WR HQKDQFH OHDUQLQJ There was a time when “tech support” meant ¿[LQJ SUREOHPV DQG re-directing confused users to resources. New technology or old, it meant helping to address everything from the mundane to the compli- cated. While I certainly spend time repairing broken machines and rescuing colleagues, I’m proud to report we live in D GLɣHUHQW HUD DW 5DQVRP Everglades School. The bulk of my time is de- YRWHG WR D WUXO\ VLJQL¿- cant cause: Integrating technology creatively at Ransom Everglades. You may have heard that phrase before; it’s one RI +HDG RI 6FKRRO 3HQQ\ 7RZQVHQG¶V ¿YH VWUDWHJLF LQLWLDWLYHV )RU PH ± WKH &KLHI 7HFKQRORJ\ 2ɤFHU DW 5DQVRP (YHUJODGHV ± DQG P\ WHDP LW¶V D PLVVLRQ statement, a compass, an inspiring objective. While technology professionals are often thought to speak in terms only computers scientists can understand, my role allows me to bring technology to our community in very accessible ways. Simply put: Our role is to enhance our curriculum, engage our students, em- power our faculty and help RE grow as an institution – through smart, strategic, innovative use of technology. We don’t add machines because they are the most advanced on the market. We add them because we have an educational plan. I don’t get rid of something old because it’s old; I do it because I’ve found something that can be a game- changer for our students, faculty or school. Since I arrived to RE in 2016, we’ve worked to transform the approach to technology at Ransom Everglades with enhancements large and small in our classrooms, libraries, laboratories and curricular toolboxes. The list is long: We’ve added hundreds of computers and dozens of interactive display boards (replacing the projectors of old). Our students have access to touch-and-stylus en- DEOHG ODSWRSV 0DQ\ WHDFKHUV EHQH¿W IURP VLW VWDQG GHVNV DQG WKH\ FDQ UHFRUG YLGHR DQG DXGLR RQ WKH À\ 7KH\ FDQ WDNH DVVHVVPHQWV DQG VKDUH FRXUVH PDWHULDO GLJLWDOO\ 6WXGHQWV can plug into a lecture or assignment from virtually any device. It is not about a particular SODWIRUP :LQGRZV RU 0DF26 RU W\SH RI GHYLFH EXW UDWKHU ÀH[LEOH WHFKQRORJ\ WKDW DOORZV XV WR YLHZ WKH ZRUOG DQG NQRZOHGJH GLɣHUHQWO\ , IHHO IRUWXQDWH WR EH DW D VFKRRO ZKRVH Creative Technology Continues on page 90 5DyPRQG 6WHZDUW 0DWKDPDWLFV DQG &RPSXWHU 6FLHQFH 'HSDUWPHQW &KDLU -HDQ 'XWy