Enterprise networks are incredibly sophisticated and complex systems. They combine hardware and network software that must be scaled for hundreds or thousands of users on campus. There are three adjectives that describe every network if it is in a school or any other business: Ensuring a network is all three necessitates expertise in network architecture. Decisions must be made about the hardware and software and configuration necessary to meet Read More
Category: Technology Planning
Tech for Educators: Three Classes of Networks
Ethernet is the dominant network technology used in schools (and just about every other organization). When connecting computers and other devices to Ethernet, we use the same protocols and the same devices no matter how many nodes are connected. The devices we use to create computer networks are designed to meet three different classes of networks. One Read More
Capacity of Computers
When making decisions about the type of computing devices to install in schools, school and technology leaders must define the capacity of the devcies necesary for their purpose. This post sumarizes the factors that affect capacity. Capacity is determined by several factors. In general, these factors dictate the rate at which a system can access, Read More
Google and Schools
I recently had a series of conversations with educators about Google. I was anable to point these folks to the specific artcile I read a few years ago in which scholars challenged some of the assumptions we made how Google uses student data. I promised a blog post pointing to it. Here it is! In Read More
Contingencies and Technology Planning
174: Contingencies and Technology Planning The decisions that past technology teams made and the hardware, software, and network infrastructure they installed affect the decisions that can be made in the future. Especially in schools, the IT system tends to be a kluge; new features and functions were added piecemeal, and each was made to operate with extant systems. In many cases those integrations depended on custom programming and configurations. School budgets rarely allow for wholesale replacement of technology. The total cost of Read More
School Leaders & Technology
175: School Leaders & Technology In most aspects of school function, school leaders have experience and preparation. A leader probably started their career as a faculty member, then studied school administration and progressed through positions that gave them more experience and in which they gained increasing knowledge of school operations. Most school leaders freely admit they are not “technology Read More
Key Performance Indicators and IT
169: Key Performance Indicators and School IT | RSS.com Key performance indicators (KPIs) are measurable values that help organizations track and assess their progress toward achieving specific business objectives. They provide a framework and structure for monitoring performance, making informed decisions, and driving improvements. Information technology leaders who work in schools are well-served to have key performance indicators identified. These are goals that are specific Read More
A Story About Technology Leaders in School
161: A Story About School IT Leaders I once coached a technology coordinator who was fond of saying, “I built what they asked for, it they asked for the wrong thing, that is not my problem.” He used it whenever the educators decided the system they wanted wasn’t exactly what they wanted and they asked him to Read More
BYOD and School Networks
165: BYOD and School Networks | RSS.com To minimize the expense of one-to-one initiatives, some schools choose to participate in bring your own device (BYOD) initiatives. This finds schools encouraging students to bring devices they own to school, connecting them to an SSID, and using them for their schoolwork. This can pose several difficulties for IT professionals; security being the most important. Others raise concern about equity as individuals may not be Read More
The Ethics of Educational Platforms: Data, Privacy, and Technoethical Audits
152: The Ethics of Educational Platforms: Data, Privacy, and Technoethical Audits I am reviewing some recent books and chapters I have written as I prepare my next book. As I review, I am have AI blog posts. This is an example. The modern school is fundamentally dependent on digital technology for nearly every aspect of Read More