rusty155 Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 Ok people! What is your role as IT Manager/Technician? What does your job involve? - Daily routine, what are you responsible for? And what are your plans for the future in your current role? (the dreaded 5 year plan?!) Just interested to know what everyone else is doing!
Jake Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 IT Technician here I maintain a dozen servers , DNS server, ISA server, exchange servers, OWA server, SIMS, fileservers, intranet server etc etc Install interactive whiteboards, projectors, printers, etc etc Password Changes for curriculum logons and SIMS Installation of CAT5 cables, making CAT5 cables up, trunking, network points etc etc Day to day maintenance, printer toners, damaged keyboards, mouse etc etc Backup of server data to tape A few dozen other miscellaneous odds and sods, essentially you name it, its something I do at some point My plans? same plan I have for everything in life, just to enjoy myself and have a laugh. I'm not hugely ambitious so I am quite content to carry on performing the role I do at the moment, I had a sizeable lottery win 7 years ago, so I dont give a flying hoot about increasing my salary at all.
rusty155 Posted January 17, 2007 Author Posted January 17, 2007 IT'S A MEMBER OF SMT! QUICK! RUN! Lol!! No! - i'm just a technician looking to step up to IT Manager Role and looking for a few pointers. Know that the SMT's are always banging on about 5 year plans and was wondering how to tackle this one really! What have you got planned? How do you respond to SMT if asked what your 5 year plan would be? Any help greatly appreciated!
dezt Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 My role is about the same as Jakes, except I don't have as many servers yet, (I want more). I'm also looking to step up to Network Manager sometime soon. The 3 year and 5 year IT development plans have been part of my role since last year. All I do is look at how the school needs to be improved in regards to IT, and I also wrote the computer replacement policy which talks about PC replacement after 3 and 5 years. SMT Loved it, we didn't have one until I started, it was a matter of lets just see who can shout the loudest for computers.
witch Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 See Jake's job except I only have one server per job (got 2) and I don't make up network cables. Oh yes, and I haven't won anything on the lottery! As for a 5 year plan - neither school has a 10 minute plan, let alone 5 years. Personally, progression is not possible at either school as I am a one woman band at both. And as I have had no 'personal progression' interviews for 2 years, I don't think SMT even know I exist (until the computer goes wrong, of course) Bitter, moi? There has been another topic about what people do on the forum somewhere, for more info. Can't put my hand on it at the moment, can anyone else?
kylewilliamson Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 I'm a "Network Administrator" for a (shrinking) secondary school in the Southampton area (Hants LEA). My role falls somewhat between "IT Technican" and "Network Manager" (we have one of each as well) and includes the following: VLE Management, Telephones, User accounts ,etc, Hardware repair, etc, Network Security, IT Purchasing, MIS Co-ordinator, Development Plan Role, Specialist Schools Steering & Timetabling. Our "five year plan" tends to be a three-four year plan, as it tends to be aligned to the Spec College designation cycles. Essentinaly, we've found you need to do the following :- Outline your targets, such as * 1:3 computer/pupil ratio * A greater use of ICT across the curriculum * You then need to break down year by year such as :- * In Year 1, we will install an IT Suite in Languages. This will cost (approx £) * In Year 1, we will commision a VLE. This will cost (approx £) * In Year 2, we will install 2 computers in every Science Classroom. This will cost (approx £) Its about setting out targets, and then the steps to achieve them in each year. Obviously this is always subject to change - such as if you loose specialist schools funding or a HoD talks the head into serious investment in that area, etc. Our network staff & the head of ICT tend to meet on a regular basis and look at the development plan and review and update it. This tends to become a live "working" document thats updated on a regular basis. Our current format outlines the following headings :- TARGET STRATEGY SUCCESS CRITERA* INCLUSION** FINANCE * Always include a Success Critera - in the OFSTED world of self-evaluation, you have something to evaluate your development plan on. Such Criteria's could be "ICT now used to some extent in 50% of Languages Lessons" ** Inclusion - Make sure, for instance with regards to a VLE that will be used for homework that you have included some angle of "what kids who haven't got the internet should do" or "what kids who have poor eyesight should do" etc. Hope that helps. BECTA's website has some tools for the purpose, but its down right now. Kyle DUPLICATES REMOVED - Tony
GrumbleDook Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 Have a look at Level D of the Technical Competencies from Becta as this will give you some idea of the technical side of IT Management in schools. To look at the educational side then you need to delve into the world and roles of e-learning, personalised learning and a heap of other buzzwords. There are several of us on here that can give you a step up in those areas too. Me ... I am Manglement! and trust me me, Midget ... running does not help!
Midget Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 Have a look here http://www.edugeek.net/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5825
Midget Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 kylewilliamson: so good you posted it 3 times?
amyr Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 Ok as ICT Technician in a Primary school my role is: Manage a network of 1 server/36 Desktops and 37 laptops on the curriculum side, and 3 desktops (one of which acts as a server) on the admin side Backup curriculum server daily (oh the joy of scheduled tasks) Maintain all PCs so that they are running smoothly. Maintain 13 Smartboards and their corresponding Projectors Maintain the school website Maintain the school email accounts Install SIMS updates and create new accounts as necessary Test software and new hardware Hardware procurement Liase with potential and existing suppliers Deal with any problems ICT wise as they occur Train staff in new programs/hardware Run 2 ICT Clubs for 6 weeks every 2 terms Identify areas of improvement for ICT support class teachers teaching ICT lessons (occasionally teaching them myself if Class teacher is very unsure of what they are doing) Oh and if its got a plug on it and looks remotely technical it must be something to do with my job! Hmm 5 year plan...more like 5 goals... 1. Update current CC3 network to a vanilla build of 2003/XP or Vista 2. Re-design school website to be more child friendly/interactive instead of boring formal 3. get all staff using their smartboards interactively instead of as glorified projectors 4. develop ICT clubs so that they run more regularly 5. get a new ICT suite with air con! (its not fun in here in the summer!)
webman Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 My official title is either ICT Technician or VLE/Web Manager. So much has changed I don't know which one is relevant any more, but IT Support covers everything I do so I use that I do our website, general technical support, setting up equipment, user maintenance, occasional video editing, changing printer toners, supervise a lunch time homework club, re-building and imaging machines, set up and manage new servers (linux), and soon to manage our VLE.
Simcfc73 Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 I sometimes call myself IT manager and some other times Network manager. I think network manager sounds more IT than IT manager. As the sole person responsible for IT I do everything in the school related to IT including the website and on the management side I manage my budget and purchase everything in school that comes under my remit. I try and do paperwork but I am on my toddle so I usually don't. We have a business manager who is above me and we make the decisions on budgets, who gets what and when but the buck stops with me. We used to have a ICT committee but it was a committee just for the sake of having one. Useless really and I didn't like people telling me how I should allocate my money. I did do a 5 year development plan but it usually gets overruled by the Principal who gets a bright idea and we implement it. Lot of jobs in IT weekly by the way.
kylewilliamson Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 Midget: Sorry, I kept timing out (I only got one confirmation, promise!) I shall now be relegated to the using classes. I also share the "Oh and if its got a plug on it and looks remotely technical it must be something to do with my job!" aspect too Kyle
tosca925 Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 As well as a Network Manager I sometime suggest i put a broom where the sun down shine if hey think i can possibly fit more into my day.
ThatBoringBloke Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 Ok, Slight change of question then if you don't mind guy's. What is the difference in the day to day job role of a Network Manager and an ICT Technician?
Midget Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 Ok, Slight change of question then if you don't mind guy's. What is the difference in the day to day job role of a Network Manager and an ICT Technician? If there is only one person in the school, then nothing, just the title and the pay If there are more, then its standard boss/underling. boss does software and paperwork, underling does the firefighting
steve Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 I'd suggest some of the following: Responsability for more than one technician High level problem solving - network equipment + servers Dealing with manglement, including some input to SMT on future development of systems A 2nd / 3rd line of support for ICT Technicians to escalate issues to Work on own initiative to identify and solve problems before they affect the system
kingswood Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 NM = General dogs body with bigger dogs biting you constantly Technician = Small but growing dog usually nipped and kept contained by bigger dog (NM) NM + Technician = Utter dog hell. Rottweilers biting you, dobermans chasing you, and little nipping whiners constantly snapping at your heels I'm probably the third.
Andie Posted January 17, 2007 Posted January 17, 2007 If there is only one person in the school, then nothing, just the title and the pay Here, here! I guess this sort of question is designed for those in secondary schools??
sidewinder Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 What is your role as IT Manager/Technician? My official title is Network Engineer - which isnt really a very accurate job description - but hey I get quite a bit more than a technicians pay (but less that the network manager by quite a bit) We have a slightly different structure here than a lot of schools I think. NM is obviously in charge, but Im in charge of all the technical stuff, and then 4 technicians - so its kinda a 3 tier thing What does your job involve? - Daily routine, what are you responsible for? Im responsible for looking after all the servers - 7 of them, as well as all switches, access points etc. Any technical problems with the above get directed to me as well as installing any new of the above. Backups, new software, user creations all are my responsibility too. Oh and all the Apple Macs As well as all that, I do quite often get my hands dirty doing the mundane stuff as well, ghosting, fixing printers, basic hardware problems etc, due to the fact the technicans are quite often all out doing classroom support. I never feel anything is below me though, Im happy to do anything (apart from classroom support!) And what are your plans for the future in your current role? (the dreaded 5 year plan?!) Impossible to say really, because as much as I love this job, unless theres a way to actually move up in terms of pay, Im very unlikely to be here in 5 years - money doesnt motivate me but I struggle at the minute living in the South. But my aims for the next year or so are just general improvement of the network, make it quicker, more secure, get a proper firewall solution in place, resist NM trying to get is onto CC3 (!) etc
alonebfg Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 What is your role as IT Manager/Technician? i fix repair all computer and network probs including tvs vidios projectors overheads (most things eletrical except photo copeir and lights) What does your job involve? - Daily routine, what are you responsible for? i do 12 hours a week ( 40 most) and this involves backups and as discribed above i also pat test. also help with new sofware and hardware buying ( assisting ict cord) And what are your plans for the future in your current role? (the dreaded 5 year plan?!) hopefully getting more hours but i dont know yet?
bossman Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 Whole school IT, Procurement, Design, Planning, Strategic T and L for ICT, Security, Consultancy, Development, Testing, Disaster recovery plan (including backups), Health & Safety IT, Statistics of ICT T & L, Phsycologist for the Staff using ICT, Teaching both Staff and Pupils and hands on solution finder for anything that plugs in. If I were to change jobs i would find life a little boring to say the least, days and months fly past and there is never a dull moment especially when webman and myself get our heads together eh webman
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now