After scanning the faculty and staff directory at Beachwood High School (BHS), the only position from Dr. Shutkin’s list that I identified was the Library Media Specialist, who is Angela Maxwell. Paige Dudley is another librarian and the Media Assistant. However, the following positions were not applicable: Director of Educational Technology, Curriculum Technology Integration Specialist, Technology Maintenance, and Technology Security Personnel. However, I did identify a few people with the title Technology Teacher, which included: Marc Chalice, Christopher Croftcheck, and Craig Alexander. 

While it was not clear from the website what the role of Technology Teacher entails, there were many courses offered at BHS that deal directly with technology, such as AP computer science, honors media production, honors robotics, honors software engineering, Adobe Creative suite, and TV production sequence. Therefore, I infer that these three Technology Teachers may take part in teaching these types of classes. I also thought of the possibility that they may help other teachers to facilitate the integration of technology in the classroom or briefly drop into classes to demonstrate different types of software for the students. Unfortunately, I could not find this information on the website. In addition, I emailed my cooperating teacher last week, but she has still not responded; I am assuming due to the circumstances with coronavirus. 

Regarding the technology that is available, Ms. Shapiro explained to me during my observations that each student has access to a Google Chromebook. Rather than having a technology cart in the classroom, which I have frequently seen in other schools, students check their Chromebook out of the library at the beginning of the year. After checking it out, they are free to use the device for the entire year, which includes bringing it home. As a result, families are not responsible for purchasing these devices for their children.

Students also have the option to bring their own personal device to school if they already have a laptop they use regularly. In the English classroom I observed, there was a fairly even breakdown between students who had their own personal devices and those who used the school’s Chromebooks. I thought this policy was interesting because it may create inequality for students who may have access to better technological resources than others; however, I understand the students’ and parents’ desires to be able to utilize technology that they already own and understand.

In addition to these Chromebooks, students have access to the computers in the library, which are in working order; students simply have to sign in at the front desk to enter the library, and they are free to utilize whatever resources are present there. However, I did not discuss with Ms. Shapiro if there is a means for reserving different types of technology. Teachers have the same access to technology as the students so it seems, but I did find this form on the BHS website, enabling teachers to request technology that they would like the school to purchase. The form states that requests are granted based on “need, consistency with current/future technologies, and pilot projects” by a Technology Committee, which is directed by Ken Veon. 

Regarding a firewall application, Ms. Shapiro and I talked briefly about a software called Guardian that the school is trying to implement next year. After looking at the company’s website, Guardian is primarily used to prevent unauthorized tracking, block aggressive ads, mask IP addresses, and secure data. Ms. Shapiro mentioned that the Technology Committee, which is spearheading this effort, is also considering blocking more specific applications, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., to eliminate distractions for students. She understood this decision, as many students use these programs during class time or study halls. However, she also thought it was problematic because she, and a few other teachers, often try to incorporate these social media applications into the classroom to engage with the students and spark their interests. As a result, she is working with the committee to ensure that there is a way for teachers to move around the firewall if they want to utilize a blocked application.