David M. Merchant loves being able to bring technological change into
the classroom.
"Exciting is when I land a grant and know that faculty and students will
soon be using a lab that no longer has falling apart chairs, computers slower
than molasses in a Siberian winter, a projector with VHS quality images, or
a 'dumb' whiteboard," he says.
Merchant is both an English instructor and a technology coordinator for
the School of Literature and Language at Louisiana Tech University.
Part of his job involves applying for grant money to upgrade the technological
resources in his school.
"I have had a grant funded that replaced 8-12-year-old printers and other
grants funded that replaced old computers in the labs - one lab had to be
shut down bec ause the computers took 20 minutes to start up and load [Microsoft]
Office. And my last grant funded a smartboard."
Merchant says coordinators need to understand that new does not always
mean better. "[T]hat is another part of a technology coordinator's job: researching
technology to see which is the best solution, [most] useful solution," he
says.
"I am not a technology-for-technology's-sake kind of person, and do not
support just any change," he adds. "I look to integrate technology into our
school. [But] not just any technology - that which helps the mission."
Merchant says the toughest part of his job is trying to fill two roles
at once. "As technology becomes ever more pervasive, ever more mission-critical,
my job as a technology coordinator takes ever more time and energy, yet I
still have to teach a full load," he says.
"As quickly as technology changes, so too does my role - beyond just demo-ing
software and apps, now I work at the meta-level with teachers and all learners,
transforming and redefining learning," says Lisa Read. She's the technology
coordinator for a school district.
"It's a thankless job - you are invisible when the system is working well
and are vilified when it's not," says Darren Gasper. He is the superintendent
of education for a rural school division. Part of his role involves overseeing
the technology needs of the schools in his area.
"The other challenging piece is the constant state of change in the technology.
You have to be a lifelong learner and willing to constantly update your skills."
But keeping up with new technology is one of Merchant's favorite things
about the job. "You are surfing the cutting edge - you see what is coming,
and with luck, maybe you can be a part of it."