Originally Posted April 14, 2013
…our school Geek Squad!
OMG! I am so proud of them!
We organized as a group in December 2013. At first I wanted to make sure they could cover all the tech programs needed for middle school, so I had them test out of Microsoft Office Suites at GCF Learning Free.org. This site houses over 750 free lessons that allows you to expand your technical knowledge at your own pace. Of course some of the members on my team were able to cover almost 6 of the test in one setting.
We originally started off with 10 members, and slowly trickled down to 4 consistant members. We started off with 2 girls and 8 boys and now we have 1 boy and 3 girls…I think we need one more fellow to balance this out hormonally, IMHO…LOL!
The main responsibilities of the G-Squad is:
- to monitor connections in our 8 computer labs and 6 mobile carts. Each of them are able to hand the dismantling of all mobile carts without supervision. Our TCIS, Bonnie Adams, has also given them privileged login information beyond their regular levels.
- learn the ins and outs of their new Tech blog, so they can be the blog Administrators
- to manage updates for our eBulletin Board
- troubleshoot tech connections when needed in their classes
- develop and manage library’s QR Code Catalog and Code Reading Station
Our school only has afterschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which means activity buses to take the students home are only available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, therefore any organization that meets afterschool, meets on these two days. Our library hosts the afterschool math tutoring as well as Debate Team research, and my time has to be divided between the three. One of the things that I am working with G-Squad on is the art of online research and utilization of Noodletools so they would be available to assist the debate team when I am pulled in another direction. Because we are working on helping the squad function with some level of independence and the members are extremely good at taking initiatives in problem solving, monitoring the squad is easy and this makes managing the afterschool activities in the library flow much better.
Here’s a sneak peek at their new blog! http://community.nn.k12.va.us/geeksquad/ It’s not ready to be linked up with the library yet. We’re still under construction, but we don’t mind you getting an early preview. If it works for broadway shows…if can work for us!
