In my Mind…
Jennifer Wagner from Technospud has done it again. She wrote in one of her posts ” The Hatchery is Open“, that she could have taken word for word from my thoughts:
1. I am NOT going to conquer the school with Technology!
2. If someone asks for help, I will answer their immediate question and not show them 20 more opportunities. (Honest, I do do this!)
3. I am going to be there to support and listen — but not ambush them, in any way.
4. I am going to watch and take notes and wander around the school and see samples of what people are already doing — and go from there.
5. And for 3 weeks — I will NOT give unsolicited advice but just constant encouragement.
I am currently working together with the TechTeam at my school to develop a professional development plan in technology for the school year. We are trying to put a frame work together how to best move from “encourage” faculty, staff and administration to “mandate” a basic technology literacy among our school community. Blog posts from Kim Cofino and her Elementary School Framework Wiki are extremely helpful in putting a vision together. BUT there is a big difference in planning, imagining and predicting the excitement that the teachers surely must feel when we introduce them to the greatest thing since sliced bread…and… the technophobia, resistance, time and priority issues, etc. There is a great discussion about Teachers and Everyday Use of Technology on the Classroom 2.0 Ning Network.
Just yesterday, I was reminded that enthusiasm and passion for technology in the classroom might not be enough.
- In my mind everybody will have the same understanding, that being a teacher is the same as being a life long learner.
- In my mind every faculty member is a professional.
- In my mind when your school is going in the direction of infusing technology into instruction and giving you all the tools and support you might need, every teacher will look into that direction.
- In my mind, a teacher will comply with deadlines, be responsible in performing their duties and not blame someone else, if they were the ones who dropped the ball.
Every time I am surprised, frustrated and even hurt, when I realize that this is not always the case. i will need to find a way to not take it personal…
Any advise on that?
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