A majority of productivity software is already provided
by the district using eSchoolPlus+ (i.e. e-mail, grade book, attendance, etc.).
However, that software is not necessarily the most user-friendly, nor is it the
most efficient. For example, the attendance function keeps track of current enrollment
and instantly submits student attendance as absent or tardy with a helpful feature
for marking an entire class as present. Unfortunately, a report generator for
daily attendance is not available which would make auditing attendance much easier.
Another example is the software’s grade book function. This function also keeps
track of current enrollment instantly submits students’ grades and conveniently
calculates weighted grades easily; however, the process for “defining”
assignments can be tedious, especially when creating assignments that are
slightly different for different classes.
Also, district e-mail is provided for teachers via the
internet using Microsoft Outlook Web App. Like many apps, the MOWA does not
have the complete functionality of Outlook such as shortcuts, formatting, view
options, etc. MOWA is certainly better than not having e-mail and offers more
functionality than e-mail services such as Yahoo! mail, so for that I am
thankful.
Although helpful productivity software is provided by
the district, there are certain tasks that, as educators, cannot be avoided. Perhaps
the most important and most time consuming task is communicating with parents.
Of course, there are tools to simplify mass communication such as automated
call systems and web sites for the district, the campus, and individual
teachers. Still, communicating on an individual level is not so easy.
Policies require that teachers contact parents whenever
a student is in danger of failing; attempting
to contact parents does not satisfy that requirement. This policy is
complicated by other policies that prohibit teachers from contacting parents on
Fridays and Mondays.
Grading assignments and recording grades presents another
important and time consuming challenge. Assessing students’ knowledge and
understanding is a non-negotiable in education and tools are provided to assist
with the workload. However, policies require that each student have 15 grade
entries for each grading period, in addition to three exams and a final exam,
no small task in today’s overcrowded education system.
These tasks are further complicated
by logistics. Secondary teachers are given 90 minutes with which to plan, grade
assignments, record grades and complete a myriad of other administrative tasks
including communicating with parents. Needless to say, the task is difficult,
especially with 160 students. Even at three minutes per phone call or three
minutes per assignment, it would require 480 minutes to grade every assignment.
Multiply that by the required 15 assignment minimum and teachers are almost
assured a night filled with homework.
Finally, teachers are faced with making copies. Whether
for exams or worksheets, copies are a requirement. Considering the cost of technology
(i.e. tablets, laptops, etc.), the price associated with going paperless, making
copies is not going away anytime in the near future.
