What are some things you have learned and/or tasks you have accomplished this semester?
This semester the Wall of Excellence has not only started coming together to create a real portrait of our project, but has also become a near future reality. In the past, it was constantly on paper, a thought and an idea. However, this semester we did our best to get together as often as possible to brainstorm and problem solve all things concerning the Wall of Excellence. Not only were we able to finalize the criteria, but we have spoken with lots of staff to make sure everyones voice is heard and understood. We now have the website up and running, and our planning to present to staff at the March Staff Meeting. Therefore, I would say that our individual time managing has been improved and has allowed us to get to where we are right now. It has been challenging to be able to get everyone together at one time to be able to discuss all the issues and ideas we may be experiencing; however, a solution that I found very effective was splitting up into mini groups. With smaller groups, comes a smaller chance of clashing schedules, and more resources to get the multiple objectifs done. As our project is reaching the end point, there isn’t anything I believe needs to change, we have reached a good momentum and as long as we continue to take advantage of our momentum our passion project will continue to progress in the right direction.
As Riverside continues to immerse itself into innovation and technology, what do you think Riverside can do to provide support and help for teachers and students?
The bootcamp is a very wise idea and it should be continued; however, I find students are very overwhelmed, since it’s their first day of high school. Therefore, I would say a followup bootcamp later in the month of September could help to improve a student’s ability to work with device and it will give them more time to work on their About Me page, because a few students were never able to finish it. Additionally, since our school has come so far with technology, it would be very cool if we could have actual Apple and Microsoft professionals come and teach the students for a more immerse and specialized course on their devices. As well as, a day like sports day, but technology day, where students have the ability to be able to go work in the Marker’s Space and/or get specialized courses from the professionals. These are simply ideas, but I think since our school is so technologically adversed, we should give them more professional tech days.
Do you have any feedback or suggestions, as we move forward, that could help the Tech Team meet the needs of our school and staff / be more effective?
Like I was saying earlier, a tech day would be cool to experience, and if that is not possible to cancel classes for a day of a half a day; then we could do a tech team bootcamp on a Pro D day, and bring in someone from Microsoft and/or Apple during the morning and have the afternoon to investigate the things in the Marker’s Space or use the things we may have learned from the teachers/speakers in real life and on our own. This would give us the opportunity to immerse ourselves more into not only our own devices, but the devices the school offers to us.
