The Island Phenomena March 8, 2008
Posted by Ed 831 Ken in Uncategorized.trackback
As a technology leader in a school you often feel isolated. Technology changes so quickly it is difficult (impossible) to keep up. Few others (if any) in your school understand or have the same passion for technology as you.
In discussions on blogs and in our weekly class meetings, it is evident that teachers are frustrated with technology.
Leaders in the area of technology often feel isolated and wonder why teachers don’t get on board the technology train. This creates frustration for the technology leaders in our building. Clarence Fisher and Kim Brown alluded to this island phenomena.
The result of this is an environment where teachers criticize others and get their backs up in a defensive manner. If this environment permeates a building, little (if any) quality change will occur.
How do we get the technology train permeating throughout the buildings?
We need a thorough plan which includes resources, training, plc’s, incentives and a shared vision. This is easier said than done. It will take courage to welcome other’s views and accommodate them, rather than isolate them through criticism.
As I reflect on my career in technology, one or more of these pieces has been absent. It’s no wonder that the train stalls or breaks down all together.
I love the island analogy. Islands however remind more of permanent isolation. I prefer the “only guy who doesn’t know anybody at a party” analogy. When we begin to engage others, understand their challenges through time, then we can provide our input and viewpoints in terms of pedagogy. The first step is the hardest…walking over to that group of people, developing that type of relationship where can use that social capital and trust to have educators re-examine educational practices…..
Be prepared for the first little while to hang out by the food and drink……