Comments on: Ed tech quarantine?

By: kyedtech.com» Blog Archive » EdTech & Managing the Super Hype

kyedtech.com» Blog Archive » EdTech & Managing the Super Hype — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:38:07 +0000

[...] on this which sparked me to think and share a bit on it. (Referencing this 2008 article on Dangerously Irrelevant, cross posted at the TechLearning Blog. ). I see the importance rising due to many factors, but [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Yes, as one of those that is not an early adapter this would be helpful for me as an administrator. Because teachers are so busy now with little time to think about learning new tools and then embedding them into units and lessons the leaders such as yourself need to consider answering the Influencer questions.

Why should I do it, is it worth it? (What is the benefit to me and to my students?)
Can I do it? (Where do I use it and how do I use it?

The process you describe I believe is necessary to find answers to these questions before rolling out to most of the rest of us. Those answers are necessary for us to open our doors to consider change.

By: Martin Jorgensen

Martin Jorgensen — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Last year I launched http://www.lightningbug.com.au … and then rebuilt much of it after getting feedback from students and teachers that gave the site a try. Paper testing of a product is valid to a point, but you only really know how effective it will be when you put it in front of the kids!

Seems to me that maintaining an element of trial and error in your teaching is what keeps it fresh and interesting anyway?

By: Raenette (Auckland)

Raenette (Auckland) — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

I absolutely agree with you. As a new(ish) ICT lead teacher, I tend to get so enthusiastic about new gizmos, that I scare off exactly those people that I’m trying to influence and inspire. I’ll keep your advice in mind next time!

By: JClarkEvans

JClarkEvans — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

I agree with your idea here, but think that you need some practicing teachers in the testing room with you sharing ideas. I teach full time but get just as excited as the rest of you when new “cool tools” are found.

By: tweenteacher

tweenteacher — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

I agree to a point. It would benefit any pioneer to remember what it was like prior to their epiphany about using technology. I remember the lost instructional time waiting for someone to just rewire my LCD projector. I remember the feeling in the computer lab for the first time with students, unsure if I was in control and how to protect myself if every kid just up and went to an R-rated site.

The fact is that teaching is hard, and while I and many of us have discovered and embraced the ease and success that technology brings to our classroom, I do not for a minute blame those not willing to take that leap of faith.

I find that the most effective leadership is in being available and pushing my agenda at other levels of the district. For instance, I’m not going to hold my staff hostage at a faculty meeting trying to preach from my pulpit. However, as of this year, my Speech & Debate team began a student written, performed, produced, and publicized podcasting network. We were selected to present at CUE in Palm Springs, and we’ve gotten some great attention for our district.

Cut to the present. Today I have a meeting with my superintendent scheduled to discuss what I can do to help integrated tech curriculum into the district and to pitch a district-wide podcasting program.

The teachers find out about one’s successes and want in. That’s how you bring them to the fold.

I remember what it was like to be a Luddite. And while I want to move my district forward, I need to do it with respect for those who may not share my philosophies as a pioneer.

Our responsibility, however, is to the students. And what we cannot do is allow those who won’t move forward to dictate whether we do move forward. It can’t be an “if” we adopt technology issue, but with forward motion, I can accept the issue of “when.”

Keep pushing, but with respect from whence we came.

By: R. Turner

R. Turner — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Couldn’t agree with you more! Not being able to show what the new tool is useful for in the classroom and to a less-techy teacher is very hard to do. There are teachers who DO look for these new tools and are ready to implement them as they see fit. A network of some type should be in place so all these teachers can work together in “quarantine” to work out the classroom uses and teacher training. Great idea. Keep it rolling.

By: David W. Keane

David W. Keane — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

I would agree that focusing your efforts to ensure success of either a new technology or a new strategy is a good idea. Then you can have your most enthusiastic individuals share the hurdles which will be encountered for those less enthused individuals. I would also comment that it is not a bad thing, in my opinion, to have a few conservatives on staff. One of my big weaknesses is the love of the new. The new is not always the most effective. An example of this is the new student management systems out there. If you have one that works, you might want to stay with it until some of the bugs get worked out of the new ones. Otherwise you will spend a great deal of time debugging when you could be using that time in a more productive capacity. By allowing the early adopters to work out some of the kinks, you build capacity so you alone are not troubleshooting for your entire staff.

By: C Grabe

C Grabe — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

I agree to the necessity of making the relevance of the tool clear to those we are trying to help use it to enhance learning. BUT “Our kids can’t wait”. The relevance of our educational system continues to diminish in the eyes of our students. Our jobs as educators become harder as we use these tools – not learning the tools, but giving up the control of learning and taking the risk of not knowing when we let our students share in the adventure of learning. Many teachers find it frightening to not know the answer – we should instead find it a sign of a successful learning environment.

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000

I agree with the other posts but add a question like “How do I do this task in alow or no-tech way, and how will this new technology make me more understandable, faster, efficient, engaging, or useful?” (The true test of any technology!

Barry