Hello and welcome to my corner of the internet! I’m Josh Rowey, a Primary School ICT Technician with over 7 years of experience supporting educational technology, contributing to open source projects, and building innovative solutions in my home lab.
Why I’m Starting This Blog
After years of solving technical challenges, contributing to the Forged Alliance Forever project, and helping teachers integrate technology into their classrooms, I’ve realized there’s immense value in sharing these experiences. This blog will serve as a platform to:
- Document my journey in educational technology
- Share practical solutions for common IT challenges
- Explore home lab projects and self-hosted solutions
- Contribute to the community that has taught me so much
My Background: Where Technology Meets Education
The Professional Journey
My career in educational technology began with a passion for making technology accessible and meaningful in learning environments. Currently working as an IT Cluster Technician at REAch2 Academy Trust, I support multiple primary schools across our network, ensuring that technology enhances rather than hinders the educational experience.
Key responsibilities include:
- Multi-site IT infrastructure management
- Teacher training and technology integration support
- Hardware deployment and maintenance
- Remote helpdesk support across the trust
Academic Foundation
I hold a BSc in Computing and Information Technology from the University of Derby (2023-2024, 2:1 classification), where I focused on web development, networking, and systems administration. This academic foundation, combined with practical experience, has shaped my approach to problem-solving in educational environments.
Open Source: Contributing to Something Bigger
Forged Alliance Forever Experience
One of my most rewarding experiences has been my involvement with Forged Alliance Forever, where I served as both a developer and board member from 2021 to 2024. This role taught me valuable lessons about:
- Collaborative development with international teams
- Community management and user experience design
- Project governance and strategic decision-making
- Balancing technical excellence with user needs
Notable projects:
- FAF Patchnotes Site: Automated patch note generation system
- FAF News Publisher: WPF application for streamlined content creation
- Community tools: Various utilities to improve the player experience
Lessons Learned
Working on open source projects has fundamentally changed how I approach problem-solving. The transparency, collaboration, and community-driven development model has influenced my professional work, particularly in how I document solutions and engage with end users.
Home Lab Adventures: Learning Through Experimentation
Current Setup
My home lab serves as both a learning environment and a practical solution for family needs. Here’s what’s currently running:
Infrastructure
- Proxmox Virtualization: Lightweight setup on compact hardware
- TrueNAS Core: File server with Plex integration
- Nginx Proxy Manager: Local service management with custom URLs
Services
- Pi-hole: Network-wide ad blocking and DNS management
- Immich: Self-hosted photo and video management
- Various development environments: Testing and learning platforms
Why Home Labs Matter
Home labs aren’t just about having the latest technology—they’re about understanding how systems work together. For someone supporting educational technology, this hands-on experience is invaluable when:
- Troubleshooting complex network issues
- Planning infrastructure upgrades
- Understanding security implications
- Training staff on new technologies
What to Expect from This Blog
Educational Technology Focus
I’ll be sharing insights about:
- Classroom technology integration strategies
- Device management best practices
- Teacher training approaches that actually work
- Budget-conscious solutions for schools
- Accessibility considerations in educational technology
Technical Deep Dives
Expect detailed posts about:
- Home lab projects with step-by-step guides
- Troubleshooting scenarios from real-world situations
- Open source tools that solve real problems
- Automation scripts that save time and reduce errors
Career Development
I’ll also cover:
- Professional growth in the IT field
- Certifications and continuous learning
- Work-life balance in technical roles
- Community involvement and networking
The Technology Landscape in Education
Current Challenges
Working in educational technology, I see several ongoing challenges:
- Digital Divide: Ensuring all students have access to technology
- Teacher Confidence: Supporting educators in using technology effectively
- Infrastructure Limitations: Working within budget constraints
- Security Concerns: Protecting young users online
- Rapid Change: Keeping up with evolving technology
Opportunities Ahead
Despite these challenges, there are incredible opportunities:
- AI Integration: Thoughtful implementation of AI tools in education
- Cloud Services: Leveraging scalable solutions for schools
- BYOD Programs: Supporting personal device integration
- Accessibility Tools: Technology that removes barriers to learning
- Collaborative Platforms: Connecting classrooms globally
My Certifications and Continuous Learning
Current Certifications
- Introduction to Cybersecurity (Cisco via Credly)
- Computer Hardware Basics (Cisco via Credly)
Learning Goals
I’m constantly working to expand my knowledge in:
- Cloud technologies (Azure, AWS)
- Cybersecurity best practices
- Advanced networking concepts
- Educational technology trends
- Open source development methodologies
Community and Collaboration
Connect with Me
I believe in the power of community and collaboration. You can find me:
Contributing Back
I’m always looking for ways to give back to the community that has taught me so much. Whether it’s:
- Contributing to open source projects
- Mentoring newcomers to the field
- Sharing knowledge through this blog
- Collaborating on educational initiatives
What’s Next?
In upcoming posts, you can expect:
- “Setting Up Proxmox for Home Labs” - A beginner-friendly guide
- “Teacher Training That Works” - Lessons from 7+ years of experience
- “Open Source Tools for Schools” - Budget-friendly solutions
- “My Home Network Setup” - Complete infrastructure walkthrough
- “Career Transitions in IT” - From help desk to specialized roles
Final Thoughts
Technology is most powerful when it serves people, not the other way around. Whether I’m helping a teacher integrate new software into their lesson plans, contributing code to an open source project, or setting up a new service in my home lab, the goal is always the same: make technology work better for the humans using it.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned and even more excited to learn from all of you.
What topics would you like me to cover in future posts? Feel free to reach out through the contact page or connect with me on social media. Your questions and suggestions help shape the content of this blog!: post
]]>