Access denied at new Frederick Douglass computer lab?
Gov. O'Malley, Mayor Dixon, Dr. Grasmick and Dr. Alonso were all on hand Monday afternoon to celebrate the official opening of a new $25,000 computer lab funded by Verizon at Frederick Douglass High School.
But according to this post by a Douglass teacher on The Challenge to Care in Charm City blog, neither students nor teachers have access to the lab, and they don't know when the situation will change.
"Now, don't get me wrong," the post says, "the new computer lab that has been donated to our school is gorgeous, and I am extremely grateful to Verizon and to those who worked tirelessly to solicit the donations and to assemble the finished product. However, it was disheartening for me and for my students when we were told that we were not allowed to actually use the lab. My ninth-graders had written outstanding research papers, and it was very frustrating for them when I told them that they would not be able to type them, even when the technology was clearly in place. Currently, neither students nor teachers are allowed to use the lab, and nobody will respond to inquiries regarding when or if this policy will change."
I'll let you know if someone responds to me. I've e-mailed the principal as well as officials from Verizon and the governor's office. So far I've heard back only from the Verizon spokeswoman, who said she doesn't know anything about this.
The teacher goes on to describe some school activities that are worthy of fanfare, such as a production last week of Live Blacks in Wax, where students portrayed historical characters.
"It was a true community effort, and it passed unnoticed by the people who have been so critical of our school. I would like to see less focus on the glitzy technology and more focus on what really matters-- the awesome things students are doing here every day."
The photo above was taken by Sun photographer Liz Malby.
UPDATE: Here is an e-mail from Principal Clark Montgomery, who says that teachers need to be trained to use the technology in the new lab and follow sign-up protocol. Other labs are available in the building.
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Comments
What the heck does "approximately 5" mean? Is it really too hard to count that high?
Posted by: TS | April 2, 2009 1:55 PM
Something similar happened to me. We had 2 new computer labs put into the building, 1 was given to our technology teacher and the other an open lab for (I assumed) classwork. I signed the lab book for 2 days and my principal arrived in my class while we were working dilligently, not a sound coming from the room.
He verbally reprimanded me, asking me who gave me permission to use the lab and told me it wasn't to be used because "we" didn't want students breaking things... Later the lab became dedicated to Bridge projects & Novel, and shortly after the mobile laptop lab was broken by a teacher... Very excited to start my research project with these kids next quarter. /sarcasm
Posted by: Brandon | April 2, 2009 3:11 PM
Approximately 5 that teachers can't access. It's a big problem in almost every school, technology that isn't being used.
Posted by: Stu | April 2, 2009 7:20 PM
As a former teacher at Douglass it doesn't surprise me that it would be hard to count to 5 for some, without mentioning any names. All of the cloak and dagger style policies were always made to give the illusion of accessibility, safety, and whatever else was "positive". Protocols and procedures?! The only protocols and procedures were on not wearing hoods, jackets, or hats. I strongly agree with the statements of the teacher.
Posted by: Former Douglass Teacher | April 2, 2009 7:43 PM
Please!!!!! Post the procedures, put a memo in the teachers' mailboxes, use announcements on TSSS, and GET ON WITH IT! This is the problem in City Schools. Every thing needs an agenda, an evaluation, endless memos, meetings, etc. all to justify someone's power or job. We should be nearly paperless. You hired me. I am responsible. Let me use and care for the equipment. Stop wasting time on ridiculous meetings and training. Thinkport and Thinkfinity are good BUT they are self explanatory. Training??? Who has this school hired that need that sort of training. I am OLD but I know my technology. Young teachers REALLY know theirs. Oldies are are stalled in another era either need to get their own training or step aside and let others do their job. Of course we are responsible for the equipment! Duh! Ditto for copiers, laminators, elmos, LCD's etc. My fifth graders know as much or more than most adults. Let them in the lab. And why does this so called leader not even know how many labs are in the building? Someone tell the truth. The principal's response is so typical of the daily employee-correct cover-ups that go on. That is why we don't sign our names. Truth folks! Truth!
Posted by: wise educator | April 2, 2009 8:19 PM
What concerns me most is that this school's principal doesn't actually seem to have read the blog post in question. What is he disagreeing with? This Douglass teacher made his/her point amply clear: Douglass does have lots of great stuff going on, so lets pay attention to those things which really matter! The principal says above that "we should highlight the positives in our schools"--and isn't that what this teacher has spent most of the blog posting trying to do? What? Really? I'm glad the rest of you people see the insanity here...
Posted by: teacher_man | April 2, 2009 9:25 PM
Same here. At my school, we were told, over the intercom, that teachers "couldn't be trusted" with the computer lab.
Posted by: Steph | April 2, 2009 10:16 PM
Do NOT get me started on the technology issues in the city? The filters, the unavailability of computers, and how about the fact that if the Media Specialist isn't in the building, printing in the lab can be done? The laptop cart can't come out of the Media Center and the one working lab not in there is off-limits to anyone except three teachers who are running a program for 25 students. If we are supposed to be teaching 21st century skills, let's get 21st access. Of course, materials will break, get stolen and the like. Budget to fix that and maybe we could spend money on something besides extra support staff who basically sit around all day and kivitch.
Posted by: vetern teacher | April 3, 2009 11:22 AM
"We should highlight the positives in our schools."
So does this mean we are to ignore the troubles with our schools. Why is this response used so often? Here is a idea, open the lab to someone besides the mayor, M'OM, and Dr. Alonso. UGH!
Posted by: Brian King | April 3, 2009 12:57 PM
This type of thing will continue to happen in schools.
It is a shame that when companies come in and donate equipment and monies for our children as well as the teachers to better their work and then it is put in the schools for show.
Now that the media is gone, how long will it take before the students and teachers will be allowed access?
And the worse thing is that by the time the okay is given to use the Lab, the computers will be outdated and then they will have to wait forever for ITD to come and fix the problems. Verizon has done their part now the school needs to do its part.
Posted by: calamity | April 3, 2009 1:16 PM