Introductions and such...

[Andy Thaggard <andy@mtdc.org>]

re,
	It is time that I introduce myself (after all, I have been reading 40
messages a day...I feel I am beginning to know some of you already ;).
	My name is Andy Thaggard. I am the Technology Coordinator (among other
things) for the Aberdeen School District, Aberdeen MS. I am a rookie TC,
but I came from as ISP in Columbus, MS. I am just starting my Masters in
Instructional Tech from MSU this semester....
	This class hits the spot for me. Aberdeen will begin revising its tech.
plan this spring.  
	I will have my web site up soon....working to get my personal domain
back up (yup, I am a geek). If you are a TC and have a tech plan online,
please let me know. I want to try and help others in my situation...my
tech plan will be up as a PDF as soon as I can purchase Acrobat.
	
	Now.....Planning...lots and lots has been discussed already. Someone
put 
Plan = Roadmap. I very much agree....a means to an end. A well designed
tech plan will not only be that requirement for the Dept-O-Ed but will
be the definitive guide for implementation. If the guide is lost, so
will be the technology in the district...PC's in place with teachers
that don't know how to use them (if they even care about
computers)...technology placed with no plans to maintain.....technology
with no accountability nor purpose. Toys. Nifty-Neat-O's. Powerful tools
collecting dust (figuratively and realistically).

	But, even though I think the plan should be a good roadmap, I think it
should have some goals that are 'lofty', that show vision.

	Someone asked the chicken or the egg question earlier. Chicken. Even if
the funds are not there...do the plan. You can't go somewhere without
having somewhere to go. Even though most plans are (as already
mentioned) reports, it is a start. I am reminded of a line from a
song:'It only takes a sparc to get a fire going'. I agree, we have to
have a Vision. 


	Okey...I have dribbled way too long now. Thanks for your endurance if
you have made it this far. I look forward to having my Vision shaped by
everyone here.

:]
-- 
Andy Thaggard
Technology Coordinator
Aberdeen School District
http://ahs.aberdeen.k12.ms.us
The First Mississippi Public School Online.