<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"> </head> <body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000"> David Hopkins wrote: <blockquote cite="midbad371bd0802031322w26f27290u988e2888d971d50f@mail.gmail.com" type="cite"> <blockquote type="cite"> <blockquote type="cite"> <pre wrap="">Link promotions and pay increases to performance enhancing technology proficiency testing devised by the tech geeks like us. When the ego is slapped with the paycheck, many people will start paying attention to the nerd who is trying to teach them how to stop looking foolish. </pre> </blockquote> </blockquote> <pre wrap=""> trouble is what constitutes good use? </pre> </blockquote> If by that you mean "basic proficiency", then that would be for *us*, the tech geeks, to decide. No, hacking /etc/dhcpd.conf or the Windows Registry doesn't need to be on there. But obviously stupid stuff should be: 1.) The CD/DVD drive tray is *not* a cup holder. 2.) Yes, you must actually press the Power button to turn on the computer. Duh.... 3.) No, the mouse is in fact *not* a "gas pedal." 4.) The phrase "move the mouse across the screen" does not actually mean to put the physical mouse on the physical screen and move said mouse. Duh.... 5.) Show basic competence in Web surfing, office productivity (word processing, spreadsheet, presentations). 6.) Know what the "ping" command is, as well as how to find your own IP address and default gateway. Yes, this is basic, i. e. "how-to-use-a-can-opener"-type stuff. You have to know more to be able to drive a car, so by comparison, *this* list is a snap. <blockquote cite="midbad371bd0802031322w26f27290u988e2888d971d50f@mail.gmail.com" type="cite"> <pre wrap="">No matter what you pick, the union will get involved and then it gets very very complicated. Just look at the fuss over using standardized testing as a measure of teacher effectiveness. The approach I've found to work is patience and re-enforcement of the 'but the kids don't have an issue with it'. Couple this with showing them things they can do with the Linux-way that can't be done easily nor cheaply the MS/Apple way and get upper management to take the savings and put them back into the classroom as books, field trips, pay increases, other benefits, plus being able to give all the software to the kids for home use and most of the teachers start to appreciate it. </pre> </blockquote> At some point, a teacher needs the paycheck threatened somehow. Sad, but all too true. The way to do that in my district is to "de-staff" someone from a school during the school year. That de-staffed faculty member then goes into a "pool" awaiting assignment, not to exceed six weeks, at which time the district itself assigns that teacher somewhere. But while in that pool, i. e. not actively teaching, that teacher DOES NOT GET PAID. Teachers emphatically *do not* want this to happen. And the union cannot do Jack Diddly about it, because in my state, it is illegal for teachers to strike. Yes, the carrot is a good tool. Unfortunately, the presence of the stick must also be made known. <blockquote cite="midbad371bd0802031322w26f27290u988e2888d971d50f@mail.gmail.com" type="cite"> <pre wrap="">Which is why we use StarOffice instead of just OO.org ... granted it is only $80.00 for the entire district, but ... it is a paid product. And I have had someone in the DOE actually ask me why they should be interested in saving money since if they don't spend it, then their 'power' is reduced on the next budget.</pre> </blockquote> No, it's not. You're able to spend it on training. Believe me, if you want a way to spend lots of money and thus keep your "power", that's an excellent way to accomplish that. Oh, and your people directly benefit as a result! Wow...what a concept.... --TP </body> </html>