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School Technology Coordinator

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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."

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