We recently sat down with Gateway’s Director of Technology Kevin McCoy. We discussed the state of technology in the field of education and how Gateway Public Schools plans to meet the challenges in moving toward implementing new common core strategies. Mr. McCoy and his staff (a Data & Reporting Manager and a Technology Specialist) manage and support the technology needs of 100 faculty and staff members, as well as roughly 800 students. Over the last several years, Mr. McCoy built a comprehensive and innovative network of servers, hardware, software, and services that elevates Gateway schools in all of its technological endeavors. Plus, he’s driven to do more.
How did you end up at Gateway?
I transitioned into education technology (ed tech) after working a while in larger corporations. I lived and worked through the dot-com boom and bust and eventually, found my way to education with Aim High. To me, education as an industry is much more rewarding and enriching. At first, I did some teaching in addition to technical support. Sometimes I miss teaching, but I really enjoy the broader scope of what I do now.
What was the tech landscape like when you first came to Gateway?
There weren’t a lot of technology resources when I joined Gateway in 2002. We had a small desktop lab, which was the first TechCenter, and the “laptop cart” was a plastic bin with 8 laptops that teachers would have to lug up the stairs. The student-to-computer ratio was poor. We only had one digital projector that was secured to a giant piece of plexiglass to prevent theft. So, the immediate need was to improve student technology resources.
In my second year at Gateway, I presented a technology plan to the Board that doubled the tech budget in order to increase the access to technology for students and teachers. Initially, we concentrated on improving network services, increasing access to computers, and implementing new information systems. Since then, I have continued to grow our technology services. We’ve increased access to computers, including a recent deployment of iPads and Chromebooks, as well as modernized our classroom presentation devices to include digital projectors, blu-ray dvd players, digital document cameras, and speakers .
How do you keep up with the latest trends and what works for other schools?
Besides my own research, I participate in the Bay Area Independent Schools Network (BAISNet), which comprises many of the Bay Area’s Independent schools in addition to a few public institutions. It’s an email listserv that also meets up during the school year. We get together and discuss how to best leverage technology in K-12 education. While Gateway may not have the resources of some Bay Area independent schools, some of the solutions discussed are adapted for our environment. I’m currently working with our Operations Director to create a similar network for California Charter Schools.
Where do you want to go?
One of the biggest challenges at Gateway has always been a teacher’s time. I refer to this as “the competition for time.” This year, teachers are committing a lot of their energy toward the Common Core changes, and they are really stretched. One key to successfully implement common core strategies is to increase the baseline for how all Gateway teachers use technology to aid in student learning. While there might be new tools we can use to address Common Core activities or initiatives, we are also examining how we use the tools already at our disposal. So I’ve been working with leadership at both schools to help raise that baseline.
While brainstorming how to accomplish this, I had an aha moment: Teacher Tech Toolkits! We are now in the process of developing these Gateway-centric Educational-Technology Toolkits, and we’re starting by gathering information from teachers. Teachers are documenting what tech tools they’re already using and how they’re using those tools (e.g., I use a timer to manage class time activities). I’m now working with leadership at each school to categorize the tools they use into different “buckets” (assessment tools, communication tools, etc.).
Phase 2 of this project will be to share the Toolkits as a discovery-based platform, accessible to all Gateway teachers online. During the upcoming school year, the Toolkit interface will also serve as a platform for teachers to model the tech tools they’re using in the classroom to other teachers during organized meetings.
Of what are you the most proud?
Well, opening the Middle School was a great new challenge. We had the opportunity to design systems from the ground up. In terms of technology, there were no preexisting systems to repair or improve upon, and I brought a lot of knowledge and lessons learned from years of experience at the High School. The Middle School also presented special challenges with technology in that every system had to be mobile since the school would be moving each summer until it reached its full enrollment.
I’m proud of the fact that Gateway is on the cutting-edge of K-12 tech. Some larger schools resist changes in technology, for a variety of reasons, but one of the many benefits of Gateway Public Schools is that it’s quick on its feet. It can easily adapt and leverage new technology solutions for the benefit of its community of students, families, teachers and staff.
Here are some additional resources for more information about the latest in ed tech: