Comments on: Tech Whisperer: drive out fear http://resiever.edublogs.org/2009/07/12/tech-whisperer/ Noticing what gets stuck and what falls through Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:27:04 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Claire Thompson http://resiever.edublogs.org/2009/07/12/tech-whisperer/comment-page-1/#comment-96 Claire Thompson Sun, 19 Jul 2009 04:14:34 +0000 http://resiever.edublogs.org/?p=74#comment-96 Hi Jan, Yes, fear definitely seems to play a big part in many teachers reluctance to dive into technology. I did a pro-d session last summer on how to use Google Reader and Blogger. A lot of the participants were very interested, but still quite reluctant to put themselves 'out there'. Do you remember when your principal or vice principal had to sit in on your classes and write up a review/critique of your performance? And when you were on your practicum, your faculty advisor was there to assess how you were doing. Sometimes this was the only time an adult was in your room to observe what you did. For many teachers I wonder if this is their only experience of being observed? If so, blogs and wikis and other on-line venues to post what you're doing must feel a little scary. Hi Jan,
Yes, fear definitely seems to play a big part in many teachers reluctance to dive into technology. I did a pro-d session last summer on how to use Google Reader and Blogger. A lot of the participants were very interested, but still quite reluctant to put themselves ‘out there’. Do you remember when your principal or vice principal had to sit in on your classes and write up a review/critique of your performance? And when you were on your practicum, your faculty advisor was there to assess how you were doing. Sometimes this was the only time an adult was in your room to observe what you did. For many teachers I wonder if this is their only experience of being observed? If so, blogs and wikis and other on-line venues to post what you’re doing must feel a little scary.

]]> By: Jan Smith http://resiever.edublogs.org/2009/07/12/tech-whisperer/comment-page-1/#comment-95 Jan Smith Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:14:22 +0000 http://resiever.edublogs.org/?p=74#comment-95 Hi Claire, I think Deming's idea about driving out fear concerns creating a culture where risk is ok, where it is actively fostered. For complicated reasons, a lot of teachers are risk-averse. We have time constraints and a packed curriculum, so experimenting is not that natural to us. The other part of driving out fear is that a supportive environment is a safer place. Yes, some would come out and say they have anxiety or fear around technology. Others will give reasons for not trying that more or less deflect the fear. If learning communities and those responsible for integration approached the process with the idea of side-by-side support I think we'd be more successful. We do a lot of one-off professional development and then wonder why it doesn't stick. A little more side-by-side might make a difference. Claire, I know you've worked with many colleagues on technology integration. Do you think fear is an obstacle? Hi Claire, I think Deming’s idea about driving out fear concerns creating a culture where risk is ok, where it is actively fostered. For complicated reasons, a lot of teachers are risk-averse. We have time constraints and a packed curriculum, so experimenting is not that natural to us. The other part of driving out fear is that a supportive environment is a safer place. Yes, some would come out and say they have anxiety or fear around technology. Others will give reasons for not trying that more or less deflect the fear.

If learning communities and those responsible for integration approached the process with the idea of side-by-side support I think we’d be more successful. We do a lot of one-off professional development and then wonder why it doesn’t stick. A little more side-by-side might make a difference.

Claire, I know you’ve worked with many colleagues on technology integration. Do you think fear is an obstacle?

]]> By: Claire Thompson http://resiever.edublogs.org/2009/07/12/tech-whisperer/comment-page-1/#comment-94 Claire Thompson Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:04:32 +0000 http://resiever.edublogs.org/?p=74#comment-94 What a thorough post, Jan. I like the idea of leading from all directions. In the leading from behind section you focus on the fear of those not already using technology. Do you see fear being the major obstacle for technology integration? What a thorough post, Jan. I like the idea of leading from all directions. In the leading from behind section you focus on the fear of those not already using technology. Do you see fear being the major obstacle for technology integration?

]]> By: Rob Jacobs http://resiever.edublogs.org/2009/07/12/tech-whisperer/comment-page-1/#comment-92 Rob Jacobs Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:46:17 +0000 http://resiever.edublogs.org/?p=74#comment-92 I love the Lead from the side piece. Lateral Leadership. We need more of it. I love the Lead from the side piece. Lateral Leadership. We need more of it.

]]> By: Jan Smith http://resiever.edublogs.org/2009/07/12/tech-whisperer/comment-page-1/#comment-91 Jan Smith Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:12:01 +0000 http://resiever.edublogs.org/?p=74#comment-91 Errin, thanks for your feedback. I tried to stick a little video at the beginning of some of our staff meeting. Some colleagues on our staff also put up slide shows of silly moments or classroom videos around themes. A particularly fun one was called Dr. Duty--laughter really binds a community. Errin, thanks for your feedback. I tried to stick a little video at the beginning of some of our staff meeting. Some colleagues on our staff also put up slide shows of silly moments or classroom videos around themes. A particularly fun one was called Dr. Duty–laughter really binds a community.

]]> By: Errin http://resiever.edublogs.org/2009/07/12/tech-whisperer/comment-page-1/#comment-89 Errin Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:45:49 +0000 http://resiever.edublogs.org/?p=74#comment-89 If there's one thing I'm learning from all these Leadership Day 09 posts, it's that effectively integrating technology into a school is a huge task. I like how thorough your 360 degree approach is. You do a good job describing the many dimensions of effective leadership and I really hear the voice of experience in your writing. Thanks for that YouTube video, I can't wait to share it at the first staff in September! If there’s one thing I’m learning from all these Leadership Day 09 posts, it’s that effectively integrating technology into a school is a huge task. I like how thorough your 360 degree approach is. You do a good job describing the many dimensions of effective leadership and I really hear the voice of experience in your writing. Thanks for that YouTube video, I can’t wait to share it at the first staff in September!

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