Comments on: Picking your battles http://technosavvy.org/2005/09/24/picking-your-battles/ Great teaching and learning with technology Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:58:59 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Teacher in Development :: Celebrating Small :: October :: 2005 http://technosavvy.org/2005/09/24/picking-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-779 Teacher in Development :: Celebrating Small :: October :: 2005 Mon, 10 Oct 2005 14:35:31 +0000 http://technosavvy.org/?p=307#comment-779 [...] A few weeks ago I ran across this post over at The Savvy Technologist blog. It stopped me cold. It made me think. Best of all, it made me realize something new… “I’m starting my third year as a “technology integrator” and I, too, am more convinced than ever that I will be more effective as a one-on-one “coach” rather than a “trainer” who conducts large-group sessions. I’ve done too many training sessions and workshops with almost no discernible impact over the past two years. Casting a wide net just doesn’t work.” [...] [...] A few weeks ago I ran across this post over at The Savvy Technologist blog. It stopped me cold. It made me think. Best of all, it made me realize something new… “I’m starting my third year as a “technology integrator” and I, too, am more convinced than ever that I will be more effective as a one-on-one “coach” rather than a “trainer” who conducts large-group sessions. I’ve done too many training sessions and workshops with almost no discernible impact over the past two years. Casting a wide net just doesn’t work.” [...]

]]> By: Tom http://technosavvy.org/2005/09/24/picking-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-775 Tom Sun, 09 Oct 2005 02:53:04 +0000 http://technosavvy.org/?p=307#comment-775 You see the exact same thing with students in classrooms. You can't reach everyone. Imagine how much teaching and learning would improve with the ability to focus on much smaller groups or even one on one (even if for just a short time). It'd be nice if that were possible. I've been doing technology integration in 4 different elementary schools and it is amazing how much the different school cultures affects the teachers and their acceptance/rejection of technology. I'm moving to one school which will allow me to focus better and maybe I can change some minds. I figure if you focus on the willing and build them up they can act as "evangelists" and go forth spreading the word. It seems like this would begin to impact the school culture and maybe draw more computer savvy teachers. You see the exact same thing with students in classrooms. You can’t reach everyone. Imagine how much teaching and learning would improve with the ability to focus on much smaller groups or even one on one (even if for just a short time). It’d be nice if that were possible.

I’ve been doing technology integration in 4 different elementary schools and it is amazing how much the different school cultures affects the teachers and their acceptance/rejection of technology. I’m moving to one school which will allow me to focus better and maybe I can change some minds. I figure if you focus on the willing and build them up they can act as “evangelists” and go forth spreading the word. It seems like this would begin to impact the school culture and maybe draw more computer savvy teachers.

]]> By: Aaron Nelson http://technosavvy.org/2005/09/24/picking-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-652 Aaron Nelson Tue, 27 Sep 2005 16:14:59 +0000 http://technosavvy.org/?p=307#comment-652 Wow. I really enjoyed reading this post. It really rings true for me, as I find myself in a very similar situation as you....seeing the futility of trying to convert the masses. I think you are absolutely right: It's all about one-to-one. Relationship driven. Conversations. Getting close enough to your people to be in "influencing range." A different paradigm: It's not how many you share your message with that counts, but how many actually adapt and live it. (Quality vs. Quantity.) I like what you had to say here. I think you've just helped me realize something important on how I work with our school's teachers...and students. Thank you. Wow. I really enjoyed reading this post. It really rings true for me, as I find myself in a very similar situation as you….seeing the futility of trying to convert the masses. I think you are absolutely right: It’s all about one-to-one. Relationship driven. Conversations. Getting close enough to your people to be in “influencing range.”

A different paradigm: It’s not how many you share your message with that counts, but how many actually adapt and live it. (Quality vs. Quantity.)

I like what you had to say here. I think you’ve just helped me realize something important on how I work with our school’s teachers…and students.

Thank you.

]]> By: Clarence Fisher http://technosavvy.org/2005/09/24/picking-your-battles/comment-page-1/#comment-632 Clarence Fisher Sun, 25 Sep 2005 11:42:19 +0000 http://technosavvy.org/?p=307#comment-632 I think this is exactly right. When I worked as a curriculum consultant, I spent a lot of time with people 1 on 1, in thier classrooms, teaching lessons, on their prep periods making plans and trying to help them see things a little differently in their classrooms. Now that I'm working in a junior high room, it takes a lot of courage and a lot of strength to face kids, administrators, and parents each day and convince them of the value of doing things in new ways. I think this is exactly right. When I worked as a curriculum consultant, I spent a lot of time with people 1 on 1, in thier classrooms, teaching lessons, on their prep periods making plans and trying to help them see things a little differently in their classrooms. Now that I’m working in a junior high room, it takes a lot of courage and a lot of strength to face kids, administrators, and parents each day and convince them of the value of doing things in new ways.

]]>