Frequently Asked Questions

Keith Wills Design works primarily with schools and school districts on projects involving the use of technology in the classroom. Similar issues may exist in a small business and can also be managed as needed. Though we can assist with tech support our primary focus is on consulting services and design services.

1.  

    What are some of the services that are offered?
   
   

   • Professional Development Sessions - We offer training on uses of technology in the classroom for activities such as web based lessons, digital photography, blogs and wikis, blackboard or moodle courses, online curriculum and software such as Inspiration or Powerpoint used to enhance standards based curriculum. You are the expert on the curriculum and content and we are the support helping you find the best way to present that curriculum using technology. Technololgy is highly motivating for todays students. Let us show you why and how in a 1 hour demo or short 8 hour workshop. We also can offer ongoing professional development and tutoring for staff. 
     
   • FileMaker Pro Design - this powerful database software can gather data from a number of different sources and view it in literally infinate ways.  Help with setting up a server for FMP, design of a system to collect your information or modification of my own system called SISY (Student Information System) is available on a project or hourly basis. We are a FileMaker Solutions Alliance member and have been working with FMP for over 15 years. 
     
   •  District Technology Planning - help with writing a school single plan or district LEA or technology plan in the area of technology integration is available on a project or hourly basis. Much of this service is facilitation of the meetings and the data gathering process within your own school or district and some comes from pointing you toward resources that you can tap into to integrate technology into your program.  
     
   •  Web Design - help with using web hosting services and sitebuilders, training with Adobe GoLive or Photoshop, web site maintenance and updates and consulting on what would be the best way to communicate information from your school to your community. Help with suggestions for hosting services such as EdLine or Schooloop as well as assistance with online grade books and calendars. 
     
     
2. What does this cost and how is it billed?
   
   Our hourly rate is $50 per hour plus additional expenses such as travel, software and materials needed to complete the project. Most work is bid on a project basis with a minimum and maximum set in advance. Billing can be monthly or quarterly at your convenience. 
    
3. What experience have you had using technology in the classroom? 
   
   I began teaching 35 years ago after graduation from Cal Poly in SLO with a degree in Graphic Communications and Journalism. I served at Santa Cruz High for 28 years during which time I was a major user of computers in the classroom. I taught print shop, photography, commercial photography, yearbook and a few years of physical science and also electronics. All of my classes were project based and hands-on.  The SCHS yearbook was the first in northern California to be produced on a computer back in the 80's. I was often a requested speaker duirng this time at yearbook camps.  In the late 80's and early 90's when a textbook was needed in my photography  class I designed the http://www.scphoto.com web site. This site is still in use by at least 100 different schools in the nation and receives about 1500 unique visitors per day. I also have an online class hosted on http://class.scphoto.com  that serves the home school population.  In the late 90's I taught courses on Photoshop and Web Design for the San Jose State Extension program and was also a speaker at a dozen conferences for Classroom Connect. During that same time period I was asked to lead SCHS into it's Digital High School set up and training period as the technology coordinator helping teachers use technology in their classroom. That work moved me out of the classroom into work for the district office doing much of the same things on a district level. There I gained experience on working with technology plans and also with WASC. I retired from that position in March 2007.