The Care and Feeding

of Your NerdlingLisa Read

District Information Technology Coordinator

Definition

nerd•ling

/‘NErdliNG

noun

1. a specialist in educational technology devices,

support, repair or networking

2. a member of the technology department

synonyms: geek, geekette, propeller-beanie, idork

Stereotypes

ster·e·o·type

ˈsterēəˌtīp/

noun

1.a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea

of a particular type of person or thing.

"the stereotype of the computer technician as a nerd”

synonyms: standard/conventional image, received idea,

cliché, hackneyed idea, formula

Culture

Expectations

A conversation or example of how the tech department behaves differently than the classroom or an office.

Systems

Theory

Communication

• Daily touch base

• Sign-out board

• Visioning/Planning meetings

• Roadshows

Fostering Teamwork

Fostering Individuality

All previous slides presented to this spot. Roughly 20 minutes.

Break into self-organized small groups, have a discussion around

the talking points on the hand-out. Based on my experience with

about 30 participants, conversation lasted easily 30 minutes.

Your mileage may vary.

What I overheard• Don’t email my staff directly

• Please don’t try to fix it yourself

• Differentiate between a Tech request and an Ed-Tech request

• Problems: Bring us the new problem, not the on-going problems

• “What have you tried?”

• Expectations for educators to have a minimal proficiency

• Demo at staff meetings

• Give your techs a “script” for emails or phone calls

• “The Union doesn’t like it when…”