Technology Program Administrator Evaluation

South Effingham High School

Steven Hill
FRIT 7739
Spring 2016

Executive Summary
The South Effingham High School Media Center is home to a traditional media center as well as a
technology resource center. There are two media specialist, one media assistant, and a part-time high
school student technology specialist. One media specialist focuses on the print resources while the other
media specialist focuses on the technology resources within the media center as well as staff technology
issues and needs. In accordance with the guidelines outlined in Information Power, the SEHS media
center operates a flexible schedule that allows for optimal use of resources throughout the school day.
Teachers may schedule whole classes or small groups, and individual students may visit the media
center during school hours, as well as before and after school. The media center is not closed to
individual students when whole classes are scheduled, however, students may find that computers are
unavailable during this time.
Methods
A variety of sources were used to complete my evaluation report. My data was collected through interviews,
observations, school website, and daily discussions with Mrs. Alford, the Technology Specialist. The data
collection instruments are found in the appendix.
Center Context and Goals
History
South Effingham High School and its media center opened their doors in 1996 with a student population of
1,220. As of the current 2015-2016 school year the enrollment is 1,548. The school serves 9th through 12th grade
students, as well as a Pre-K program. The media center opens at 7:45 a.m. each day and remains open Monday
and Wednesday until 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday until 5:45. The center closes at 3:45 on Fridays.
Mission Statement
The mission of the media center staff is to support effective teaching, to promote successful learning, and to
encourage productivity.
Vision Statement

We believe, and research suggests, that an exemplary library program promotes student achievement and
encourages lifelong learning. An exemplary program includes a quality collection of print and non-print
resources, ample computer hardware and software, flexible scheduling, and highly qualified media
professionals to assist students and teachers. Flexible scheduling and collaborative planning are essential to
insuring curriculum-based, need to know learning opportunities as proposed in Information Power: Building
Partnerships for Learning. We envision accelerated use of library resources and services as our school strives to
meet and exceed state and federal standards for student achievement; and, we pledge to insure that every student
has positive experiences in the library.
Goals
The media center will support and enhance the educational process by:

Providing an open, accessible, and user-friendly library with flexible scheduling to meet the needs of
students and teachers

Seeking input from the schools media committee to insure a broad perspective on decisions that affect
students and teachers use of the media program

Working collaboratively with teachers to insure meaningful, relevant learning activities that support and
enhance the curriculum

Providing up-to-date print and non-print resources and technology necessary and desirable for student
achievement

Helping students become discriminating users and creators of information through instruction and
hands-on curriculum-related activities

Stimulating interest in reading for pleasure as well as for academic achievement

Effectively managing people, funds, and equipment to better serve the learning community

Center Activities
Students

Student Orientation Classes: Classes are scheduled for freshmen at the beginning of each semester.
Students are instructed in the use of network folders, printers, and appropriate Internet use; and, in
addition, students are given general information about media center hours, circulation procedures, and

behavior expectations.
Lounge Area: The lounge area has comfortable furniture and is a popular student hangout spot during

lunch time.
Book/Magazine Displays: The displays reflect current and popular book and magazine choices of

students.
Maker Space: There are two chess boards, a jig saw puzzle table, and a Lego table located in the lounge

area.
Story Time: Local leaders and authors are invited to read to the Pre-K students.
Childrens Book Week: The library teams up with a number of classes, along with the Pre-K and

special learning classrooms to sponsor these 2-day speaking events.

Media Festival: The purpose of the festival is to stimulate student interest and involvement in all types
of media production. K-12 festival activities progress through three successive levels: building, system,
and state. Entries must be evaluated at each level and receive a superior rating in order to proceed to the
next level. Student media projects such as live action video, website design, animation and photography

foster learning across the curriculum

Dedicated Special Education Time: Special education classes come to the media center daily for

enrichment and remediation technology time.

Chromebooks for Individual Checkout: There are a limited number of Chromebooks for student with

special circumstances.
Desktop Computers: There are ninety-five desktop computers for use as well as fourteen Mac

computers design for graphic design use.

School Website: The site offers a digital tour of the media center, digital references, news and

happenings, digital video book trailers, and additional cool links.

Stomping Stangs Book Club: The book club meets twice a month during lunch time to discuss

favorite books and plan activities. Authors are invited to speak to the club.
Internet Club: This is a new club which is sponsored by Mrs. Alford.

Library Gold Star Winner: Students complete a book review slip for each book read and are entered

into the drawing fore a $5 gift card to the Stang Zone.

Fund Raising: The money collected from Popcorn Fridays, Student Talent Show, and Boo Grams are
used to enhance the media center environment and technology for student use.

Faculty

Collaboration: The media specialists plan with teachers to provide curriculum-based instruction that

relates to information access and meets the diverse learning needs of students.
Solicit Recommendations: The media specialists solicit teachers recommendations for the purchase of

resources in formats that best meets the needs of all learners.

Computer Lab: The media center houses a computer lab containing enough desktops to service even

the largest classes in the high school.

Technology Training: Teachers and students can receive training on a variety of technology upon

request.
Chromebooks: Along with the Chromebooks that are stored in carts which are kept on each wing in the

building, there are six additional carts available for teacher use.
Digital Technology: There are digital cameras available for checkout, a smart board, two printers and
surround sound for classes in the media center, electric overhead screen projector, and multi-media

equipment.
Additional equipment: Teachers may bring in pictures on thumb drives or paper to have printed into
poster size printouts. A laminator is available for teacher use.
Evaluation

My evaluation, after more than thirty-five hours of observation and interviews, is that the South Effingham
High School Media Center is achieving their mission of supporting effective teaching, promoting successful
learning, and encouraging productivity. While collaboration with teachers is not school wide, it is not for a lack
of trying on the media centers part. They remain available to having classes in the media center. For their
mission of supporting effective teaching to improve, the Media Specialists need to conduct a needs assessment
to find away to encouraged teachers to use the resources that the media center offers or adjust the services being
offered. While the information on the school website is current and relevant, the media centers website needs
more attention. Some parts contain a large amount of information which could cause confusion with students,

parents, and faculty. The websites resources links need to be weeded, to remove outdated or ineffective tools
and make space for more current resources. The growing popularity of Makers Space activities, the media
center has the space and computer resources which would be needed to start such a program. While my my
time at South Effingham High School was limited and my experience with student clubs nonexistent, I do have
additional recommendations relating to what I have learned about the clubs. The book club, which is mentored
by Mrs. Oliver, could incorporate book trailers into their projects. While they do have some elements of a
Maker Space program, they could easily incorporate a coding program such as Arduino or other computer based
activity into their program.
Appendix