Interview Notes
TAHS = Taylor Allderdice High School (Public)
WT = Winchester Thurston (Private)
Sandra Phillips - Math Teacher (TAHS)
- Current system- Dashboard
- Teachers can chose to upload things or not, kids almost never look
- People find her in person when they want to meet independently
- Often times she meets during lunch
- Some teachers pay to use 'blackboard' or more efficient systems
- Dashboard only lets you view grades and assignments
Jane Smith - Spanish teacher (TAHS)
- Each teacher is assigned an email and ID# for dashboard through pittsburgh public schools
- You can upload things, but you can NEVER take them down
- Would a new application work? Certain groups in the upper level might, but even within that
- Highest level only some will use it. Just because they are in the gifted program doesn't mean they are hard workers.
- Most people probably wouldn't use a new application
- HAVE TO CONSIDER COST - iPhone implementation just wouldn't work in a public school. period.
- What would you use a new system for? COMMUNICATION (Comments, interaction, conversation). Kids can maybe ask questions to review and revise materials.
- Every single student has a cell phone, just not iPhones, and also not allowed in school
- ZZTeacher, ZZPeriod2 (sending emails to mass groups, already existent)
- When developing our new system, she would like us to keep in mind: Size of screen (letter size - magnification)
John Smith - History teacher (WT)
- People wouldn't use an application to just communicate. Environment is already really open and accepting to one-on-one contact. People approach him in person when they need to know anything
- Having it out there doesn't mean people will use it.
- Current issues? Three different systems for communicating (especially with parents) -> "Magic Wand", "Teacher Ease", "WT website". Then also people call sometimes... not very unified
- It's difficult to see other people's schedules and line them up with your own. There needs to be a way to see maybe if an entire class has a 'free period' at the same time, so bonus study sessions can be scheduled, but also on a more personal level to try and arrange 1-on-1 meetings.
Alex Sullivan - Math Teacher (WT)
- Wants to see an email device made so that you can be notified once someone receives an email that you are sending. So for example if you send a student an email asking if they can complete an assignment, often times the kid says he didn't get it. However, with this new system, the teacher would be notified once the student receives it so he has proof.
- Says communicating with parents is never really an issue
- Scheduling probably would be helpful
Chip Hoolihan - Student (WT)
- Scheduling would be helpful
- Maybe viewing grades, projects, essays, exams
- Missing homework
Jason Stone - Student (WT)
- Similar comments to ryan
Mark Davidson - Dean of Students (WT)
- New website is being made which may review a lot of current issues.
- Parents often want to see their kids' homework schedule, what they haven't done, grades, etc Additional Comments
- Scheduling system seems most practical
- Can’t use public school, just isn’t realistic for use of iPhones or any other application
- Features may include:
- View schedules
- - Adjust your own schedule
- - Check for free times of other people’s schedules (both individuals and mass groups)
- - Make schedule requests
