Survey Memo

Media and Technological Resources Survey

Mr. F:

A survey was presented to the faculty and staff of ECHS in reference to the available media and technological resources. Patrons were quick to respond and readily supplied honest answers, since the results were submitted anonymously. By assembling the compilation, we were able to shed light on several aspects of the Media Center. The survey can be viewed by clicking on the following link.

All of the participants responded that they have used media and technological resources provided by ECHS and that the school should be responsible for providing specific resources to the students. One hundred percent of those that responded said that students should have access to computers, printers, and word processing applications. Other resources that should be available (in priority order) were access to the Internet, copy machines, scanners, video cameras, overhead projectors, CD burners, zip drives, TVs, DVD players, VCRs, LCD screens, slide projectors, and access to specific databases.

Ninety percent of faculty surveyed always use media and technological resources at home, compared with seventy percent that sometimes use these resources in the Media Center. Fifty percent of participants often use them in a lab setting and ninety-five percent often use them in the classroom. These numbers directly correlate to the respondents using computers, the Internet, word processing, PowerPoint software, and LCD projectors at home and/or school to prepare for class. Also, most use these very same resources in the classroom on a regular basis. Some resources that are used in class by about twenty percent of the faculty are as follows: calculators, CD burners, zip drives, online databases, blogs, podcasting, user-specific programs [i.e. construction software, yearbook software, mathematical software, etc.], and scanners.

One hundred percent of participants rate computers as a vital technological resource. Other top responses included printers, scanners, mobile labs, presentation software, search engines, calculators, Interwrite boards, and projectors. Lastly, the survey showed that faculty prefer to reserve media equipment via the school network rather than the traditional way of signing up on a clipboard.

An action plan has been developed to address several of the media and technological issues revealed by the survey. This will better help us serve our patrons in the future. First of all, it is a top priority at ECHS to provide access to all media and technological resources necessary to supplement, enhance, and teach the required curriculum. By changing the way that the faculty can reserve the resources (i.e. the mobile computer lab, TV/DVD players, LCD projectors, etc), we can allow everyone to have the same opportunity to use those resources. It is especially difficult for teachers with no planning block, for example, to come to the media center to reserve resources. By making the sign-up accessible via the network drive, everyone has fair access.

In addition, the school has worked diligently to provide 21st Century classroom resources to as many classrooms as possible. This means that Interwrite boards, LCD projectors, and updated computers have been installed in about 70 percent of classrooms. For the remaining 30 percent, having access to these items via the Media Center is vital. By purchasing more LCD projectors and TV/DVD players, we can better serve our patrons.

Lastly, having a knowledgeable and friendly Media Center staff to answer questions about technological and media resources will help alleviate many of the frustrations experienced by the faculty on a regular basis. It is difficult enough to try to provide quality instruction to students and integrate technology on a regular basis. If that technology, which you so desperately wish to implement, proves difficult or near impossible to use, patrons become aggravated and are less likely to use that technology in the future. We believe that by providing the highest quality service available, we will be able to meet the most needs of all of our patrons.


Respectfully,

jlg