It’s obvious that Mira Costa is taking strides toward becoming a true 21st-century learning environment, but technology program gaps and lack of tech support still mar the plan.
Principal Ben Dale has already committed to modernizing Mira Costa, but moving forward requires a firm grasp of the current situation as well as careful and measured implementation of new technology.
Currently, Mira Costa is in the midst of a pilot program, putting iPads in teachers’ and students’ hands and campus-wide construction of a Wi-Fi network, starting in the library.
The administration recently removed all printers from the library, citing their frequent malfunction and overuse. These were the only printers available for use by the student body on campus. While abuse is a legitimate complaint, students should be able to print assignments if they absolutely need to. Even if the librarian has to charge for printer-use, some availability is better than no availability.
Public libraries offer computer facilities and printing services as an industry standard, so it is only reasonable that Costa would do the same for its students.
Although shifting to a paperless environment remains a school-wide goal, some teachers will not cease to demand that students physically submit assignments, like those benefitting from library printing.
Another significant step that must be taken before thorough technology updates are implemented is the development of an adequate support staff. Mira Costa only plans to employ two full time tech-support members. With technological integration as vast as what’s being proposed, the current tech-support staff might not be able to keep up.
Although the current staff can manage existing technology problems, this will not hold true as more new machines are purchased and improvements grow to more expansive systems like campus-wide Wi-Fi coverage.
The administration has said new technological purchases like iPads require less technical support. However, all forms of technology inevitably break down, and with the push to develop complex improvements campus-wide like Wi-Fi networks, it would be wise to have a larger technical support staff.
It is imperative that the district and administration ensure that Costa has a sound technology base before pursuing a full-scale overhaul. With this, as well as a solid tech support foundation, the program can realize its full potential.
It would benefit students far more if the emphasis was on Technology and Engineering courses rather than technology to support existing classes. I am very concerned that we will feed Internet addiction rather than benefit higher learning.
Our highest priority should be what goes on a student’s transcript and offering courses such as AP Computer Science or Project Lead the Way do that. Then purchase technology to support those objectives.
Regarding the paperless office, we talked about that in the early 1980’s when I was an engineer at Xerox and we invented the mouse, graphical user interface and ethernet. The paperless office never materialized because paper is still an effecitve means of communication. Technologies die, such as a rotary phone or typewritter, but media never dies, it only expands.
But learning the hardway is still learning. And MBUSD will learn.