The Critic’s Corner
Feb 12th, 2008 by Cathy Nelson
Recently my school underwent a migration from Novell networking software to Microsoft networking software. It was pretty painless and I’m surprised at how easy we all made the transition. There have been a few snafus:
- Our keyboarding lab had the oldest computers in the building, and they are struggling to accept the new script. We are trying to transition less older computers in there as we find them in storage or find that they are not being used in classrooms. The workstations are Gateway E series. I inherited a situation where I don’t think a true inventory of hardware has been done in a while, and this migration is showing it really bad! Guess what’s on my to do list now?
- I’m having to go around and reset the email client (Outlook) as well.
- I’m in the process of teaching folks (or in some cases doing it for them) finding their printers and setting them as default. I love that “print screen” function!
I write though about the students’ responses to the migration. At the beginning of the year the district rolled out individual student logins. We were told the migration was coming, so we decided as a school to “sit” on the individual accounts until the migration. Our students used a generic “student” login, which caused its own set of problems. Once the migration took place, the generic student account would fall by the wayside, and all students would be required to log in. As the liaison at my school for student accounts, I disseminated the info, and each grade (6,7,8) had teachers who would give out information. I talked about it briefly on the morning news program, giving a few details and then sat back and watched. I had exlained that all document saving would go to the student’s indivivdual folder on the network, and anything saved to the desktop or C drive would be deleted at the next log in. Of course I knew kids would have to try it. They did not let me down. The very next morning my “regulars” who like to come to the library in the morning before school were all around the 20 computers trying out their logins. They were “decorating” their desktops with crazy backgrounds, creating paint pictures, ppts, word documents and more to the c drive, and then logging off to log back in and try it out. They shrieked with indignation that none of the changes or saved material was there. I used it as a teachable moment, explaining that the default saved to the network folder, and all their material would be safe unless they gave out their logins and passwords. I also talked about students who make bad choices and now they could access their work from anywhere in the building without worrying that someone else might delete it.
But I did “mess up” a little. You see their exploration into what the log in was like was my first exploration too. As I observed and answered the questions asked, I also found myself mildly surprised at the students’ desktops. They were all a simple solid royal blue, with only the user name subtly displayed, and a start menu/task bar. Right click was disabled. There were no icons. The only way students could maneuver around the computer was to click on the start menu, and access programs via that route. I know I said it, but didn’t realize a student had picked up on it.
What did I say? I said, “This is not real-world. How am I going to teach students to be ready for the 21st century if normal computer standards like desktop icons and right click are not available?” Yes I distinctly remember putting voice to that comment. And only now do I realize how keenly the crowd that gathers in the library each morning listens to me. You see we have an 8th grade current events exploratory class. The class is creating a newsletter for students–target audience–> students. 
One of my morning “regulars” is in that class, and his group is creating a “critic’s corner” for their newsletter. After getting a “no” on anything that might criticize a specific teacher or student, and getting shot down on love, sex, drugs, or profanity, the group has finally come up with a new topic they are enthusiastically researching for their contribution. It will be a critique of the new student login and restrictions on the computer. The plan to write about blocked sites, no icons, the inability to make a workspace that is “theirs” (translated they want a cool background on their desktop, their own bookmarks, etc.) and get this: they are going to QUOTE me making my statement.
Ouch. Yep, I said it. Yes, I said in front of students. No I did not realize they were paying me any attention. So what should I do? Their teacher is so happy to see them enthusiastically researching their topic, and came to tell me how excited they were. Then she asked me had I indeed said what they were using as a quote. Color me shocked!
So, my network, I need some feedback. Should I nix allowing them to use my comment? Perhaps I should allow it on the grounds of anonymity. Maybe I should allow them to use my name and stand by my quote. What would you do?
Attribution:
Image: ‘Day 97 – News Junkie‘
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Image: ‘Fan‘
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[...] Nelson has a marvelously interesting post today about her school/district’s restrictive new IT [...]
I would stand by my comment proudly. I’d also see if they could help answer my question!
I would let them use the comment. I think the students get a lesson that even as an adult in the working world you don’t always get what you want to do your job effectively and you have to learn to work around it or strongly advocate for change.
Maybe I’m too cynical but I don’t think an “anonymous” comment will truly be anonymous in a middle school setting.
Thanks for helping me review this clearly and from different perspectives. I did talk to a teacher who is from the business sector and she agreed the restrictions there are much more strict than at school. I am telling my students they may not use my comment at all, and instead suggest they try an angle that is not negative or defensive, as you have described. I also want them to “interview” this teacher, and maybe even someone (a parent, business partner to our school, or vendor that our school deals with) to see that our computer restrictions are in line with other institutions, and perhaps allow them to draw the right conclusions on their own (that perhaps it is real-world.) I’m also keeping further comments and opinions, especially ones like thatm to myself. Valuable lesson learned.
Cathy, I don’t think this quote should be used. It was said out of your frustration. As you said in your post above you didn’t think anyone was listening. Yes, there are restrictions. I don’t like some of the restrictions in my district but I don’t “attack” by being quoted by a student in a critics editorial.
I do research. I present information and the whys. Its not about us against the district. Its about learning and teaching.
Have you thought about why the students can’t change their backgrounds? I worked in a school where the entire student body had laptops. They were not allowed to change backgrounds. Why? When the students had the privilege they used the desktop backgrounds to bully, show gang connections, and sexual preference (yes, it was a high school). I am not saying all students would use it for bad but remember even though its a student login its the property of the district.
We are educators… educate people in a positive, professional manner. I imagine the IT department might listen if you request a meeting and present information compared to reading your quote in the Critic’s Corner of the student paper.
Yes MaryAnn it was a slip when I was first being exposed to what our students would see and how they would react. No i do not want the quote used at all, and have let the group doing their “critic’s corner” know this. The teacher has cautioned the students to make a positive spin and instead of focusing on dislikes, focus on ways to improve in a positive manner–no complaints accepted w/out a viable well researched solution to suggest. After experiencing the new log in over the last couple of days, I’m pleased to report the kids are not complaining much anymore. I am not “afraid” for anyone to read my blog or see my thoughts and feelings, hence the post. The comment was a reaction that was taken out of context. Nothing more. My students seem to be able to maneuver just fine, and the only dilemma we are facing now is how to get pictures (copyright friendly of course) for ongoing projects in light of right click being disabled. I’m sure we will manage fine, and I appreciate your help here.