I titled this Thing 23a because there may be so much more to add after tonight. I whole 23 things class now behind me, I find myself with so many ideas and questions that my head is swimming. Attending the MACUL conference this year just solidified everything that I had learned through this class as well as what I have learned by "just playing". So many people as me "How did you get so good at computers?" Aside from my dad being an electrical engineer and therefore always interested in the latest technology, I learned most of my computer skills by just playing. The hardest part for me is to "walk away" from my PC and do the things that need to be done...does someone beside me hear my lonely vacuum calling?
The personal and professional use of web 2.0 is not a problem for me. My biggest challenge is pedagogically. I struggle how to get my colleauges to recognize that the use of technology is not "more to do", merely a new way to do what they already do. Once you get used to it, it's actually less work! The other challenge is that everyone I work with is at a different evolutionary place in their "tech life". It seems pretty universal that my younger colleagues are much more adept than the "senior staff". As a senior member myself, I know that we may be at a disadvantage growing up with dial phones that didn't move with you, and computers that took up an entire room, but it is possible to keep up with technological changes. Not easy, but possible.
1 comment:
I totally agree with your observations about technology not necessarily being more work, just different work. And I know that there is a learning curve involved, but eventually there is a payoff in time saved. Just ask any teacher who has learned to use an electronic gradebook. There is a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and gnashing of teeth in the learning stages, but down the road I would guess most teachers would say it was worth it, and they would never go back to a paper gradebook.
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