Richard Fitzgibbon

Name: Richard Fitzgibbon
Title: Technology Coordinator
Affiliation:

County: Allegheny
District: Riverview
School: Verner

700 First Street

Verona 15147

E-mail: rfitzgib+@pitt.edu

ACTIVITIES:

We have a LAN at the high school, connecting 3 (mostly) business labs, the library, a science classroom, some other individual classroooms, and the office.

BARRIERS:

The biggest barriers are financial concerns by the Board, as well as the need to continue teacher training. There never seems to be enough time to the latter. As to the former, technology is expensive and, to a certain extent, risky. Boards are reluctant to take the plunge. In some, there is a lack of vision; in others, a lack of will.

GOALS:

We are planning to add two labs in our Elementary buildings this summer. A District Internet connection is planned, pending the next Link-To-Learn funding.

INFORMATION NEEDED:

Educational value of the Internet

How other school districts are using the network

How students, teachers and administrators can gain access to the network

Strategies for effective leadership

Professional development

Technical architecture

Funding sources

COLLABORATIONS:

Would like to be part of a consortium

EXPERTISE:

SUPPORT:

Currently our major technical support is from B.D. Laraway and Associates. They installed and currently maintain our high school LAN.

SUSTAINABILITY:

Set-aside in operating budget

Grants and donations

SCOPE:

schools

NETWORKING SUPPORTS REFORM:

Yes

How technology assists reform:

Allows improvement in teaching strategies

Brings additional resources into the classroom

Increases the relevance of student learning

Reduces isolation of the school and classroom

COMMENTS:

[No information provided.]

EXPECT TO ATTEND:

Yes