Christopher Wells

As most teacher librarians know, there are tech directors who build very restrictive kingdoms and tech directors who see the principal use of technology as teaching and learning. Wells seems to be in the former camp while proclaiming interest in the latter. This book is full of things to fear about technology and what to do about those fears in creating policies that will be ENFORCED. Yes, everyone is going to be involved, but in the end, the rules will be straightforward and will protect everyone against attacks by students and teachers. Computing in the media center must be watched, Wells says in the last chapter because you know what will go on and you have to get control of technologies that the students will bring to school. There is no mention of could computing. No mention of Web 2.0, and while tighter and looser filtering policies are reviewed, we are convinced that Wells loves the tight controls. We are waiting for a book by someone who really has teaching and learning at the center of school policies on technology. The policies encouraged in this book do not respect the idea that we need to approach technology by encouraging personal responsibility and trust in the adults who are working with kids. Every tech director has to understand that NO means IGNORE THE RULE AND GET AROUND IT to many kids, teens, and even the adults. Teacher librarians who bump up against impossible filtering and tech bureaucracy understand full well the difference between policies that discourage rather than encourage. This book argues a policy that is unrealistic and impossible to enforce. Ignore this book.… (mere)