Filed under: ECI 831
As I began reading blogs tongight, one of the first one’s I read was Marlene’s, and her post of reflections from February 26 and 27. Her comment was general, but a couple of words really stuck out. It’s been a thought rolling through my head the last couple of weeks as we have listened to such remarkable people like Dean Shareski and Clarence Fisher. She talks about “teachers who get it, supportive adminstration, policies and time”. People like Darren Kuropatwa, Dean, and Clarence are obviously people that get it. But what about those who don’t? Those that don’t want to? Those that have other passions? These people tend to be dissenters. They don’t see the value of technology. They are either scared of it, too set in their ways to change, or don’t want to take the time necessary to learn. People like these can become roadblocks in our progress. Constantly questioning why we have to use the technology. How do we get through to them? Do we just go around them and try to get to the people who are willing to try?
Then what about the administrative support Marlene mentions? I’ve actually been told (a couple of years ago) that I have to watch overusing technology in my classes, that sometimes I focus too much on it. Administrators need to be willing to let teachers experiment and learn as long as the students are learning. Administrative support also not only needs to come from within a school, but on a division level as well. Someone like Dean is obviously in a position to be supportive and their division will no doubt excel in the ventures they dive into. What if that support is not there to the same extent? What if other divisions have ideas in a different direction such as less teacher support and more division mandated? What if they only seek out those that seek them? How do we educate division leaders to open up sites like YouTube? How can we use new software when the ability to install on a computer is restricted? When testing software has to go through a rigorous acceptance process?
Last but not least there is the time factor. There are those of us love technology, would love to use, but time is so precious. Darren mentioned the importance of family, the demands of the teaching profession, so many teachers being generalists, curriculum renewal. How do we find time to fit all this in and so much more? There are so many questions. I find trying to implement technology in a school can be frustrating without support. I want to do so much, but with teaching (which involves the expectation to coach) and administrative duties it is hard to fit everything in.
Now I don’t ramble on here just to complain. I just want to point out that there are many obstacles. They can be overcome, but people need to be realistic within their situations and abilities. I love technology yet I understand I will never be at the level of Clarence, Dean, Darren, Alec, and the many others I have come across in this class. I try to do the best job I can within my other responsibilities. Taking a class like this is one way I can learn and improve my use of technology. We can’t all be the best. We can strive to be the best we can be. Don’t get frustrated. Learn at your own pace. Do what you can do and do it as well as you can. Whatever your contribution, it will make a difference no matter how small. And above all, never let the dissenters win. Someday they may see the light!
