Techlearning blog

Excellent post. You are so right about the "rocks". The way I see it is just like I believe all children can learn, I believe that about teachers too. You simply have to find what I call their "x" factor.

Even rocks got into teaching because of their love for children. That is the place where you can bargain. Help them see that change is truly in the best interest of kids and they will come along, reluctantly, but at least you have a starting place.

I have had success with my most techno reluctant by using reverse mentorship. The rock thinks they are helping little Bobby with his self-esteem, when in fact the teacher gains much more from what Bobby helps her master.

Thanks for the reminder that we need to be targeting *all* teachers with the message and not just those who get it.

Your post makes a rather big assumption. It sounds like you are saying all technology using teachers are great and all teachers not using technology are not great. This is just not true. I know some great teachers who are not blogging, wiki using, multi media creating web 2.0 savvy teachers. And I also know some highly technically literate teachers who need development of other teacher skills. Let us not get sucked into thinking technology is the answer to everything. We need to build better teachers focussed on all the aspects of teacher quality. I do agree though that if you start with a great teacher and help him/her build technology skills you are going to have an even better teacher. Your suggestions for helping these people are good ideas and you are right we do need to try and not just give up on them.

Hi Paul: thanks for the comments-you make some good points. When I wrote the post, my message was trying to remind us not to give up on people, and that the success of the organization is dependent upon moving all forward. I too know the two types of teachers you mention-some very good teachers who take kids to great places without technology, and some that are techno-savvy but need some real help in other ways. I often mention in my workshops that there are numerous ways to get to the same end point with kids, but I believe more and more that must include technology, so I believe that all teachers must participate at some level with using technology as a learning tool.

Hi David

I think a whole other teacher population are those who are working in conditions in which they rarely (or ever) have access to technology. Not just 2.0 technology, but 1.0 or even 0.5

Many urban schools are woefully lacking in technological access. Interestingly, it frequently seems to be those urban schools that are a cut above some others - students performing just good enough to eliminate extra funding, grants, etc. I've met teachers with no access to classroom technology, and spotty access to old computer labs.

So, we need to work with the "rocks," as well as the "hard place."

Good post! My concern about the "rocks" goes a little furter than just the use of technology in the classroom. It has been my observations that the "rocks" are not only reluctant to change by intergrating technology into their lessons, but they are reluctant to change they way their lessons have been taught overall. But unfortunately for our education system and the children in it, "If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got."

I view this lack of intiative to change as a lack of professional responsibilty. As teachers, we must continually educate ourselves about the best practices used in our profession. Not to do so, shows a great disrespect for the occupation of teaching. If their were new technologies available for doctors, we would all expect our doctor to know about them and use them effectiveley for our health care. Why should we lower our expectations for teachers, the same group who continually argue for the respect they feel should be given them in comparison to other professional groups.

I would also like to look at the issue from another angle. How many of these "rocks" were reluctant to use the new technology provided by the copy machine? How many "rocks" said; "no- the ditto machine works just fine- I am not going to use the copy machine." I don't think I would be to far off base if I said very few "rocks" had this reaction to the copy machine. And- I don't think I would be to far off base by saying that the copy machine made their job easier was the motivating factor for the "rocks" to embrace the "new technology."

I don't think that we should throw the "rocks" under the bus and not allow them the opportunity to develop new skills as teachers. But I do believe the responsibilty to become a more effctive teacher for students who will be using technology endlessly lies on the shoulders of teachers. I also believe that responsiblity is acted upon only when people are motivated to do so, and I am not sure that the "rocks" find their motivation in the children they teach to the extent that other teachers do.

I would add that we need to draw upon the wealth of knowledge they bring to education. For these educators to reach "rock" status, they've more than likely put in years of service.

What do those years have to offer us? How can these pieces be tied in with what we are trying to accomplish today? How can they shape our moves so that they are more efficient and effective?

In my experiences, it isn't that the "rocks" are shut off to change but they have a hard time believing that change will make a difference.

Chances are that if we discuss their needs as you said and offer our ideas in a fashion that is open and encouraging of discourse, a powerful bond can be formed.

After all, we call them rocks but it is often the pioneers, the geeks, the technologists that are the rocks in the sense that we believe it to be our way that will promote the positive shifts.

I agree with David and Sheryl on this point. In my work as Lead Teacher in a rural high school, many of the veteran teachers were more resistant to technology..at first. Mainly because they had seen so many hit-and-run reforms pass through that had done more harm than good for students. Once they became convinced, however, that something was actually beneficial, they became some of the best at using technology. Lousy, uncaring people for whom working in schools is just a job will not be improved by their use of technology. Dedicated, professionals who love the profession and the students they teach, but don't yet use technology are diamonds in the rough.

The rock speaketh! I have recently taken to technology in order to be competititve with the children I teach. Believe me,it has been hard work but the rewards are beyond words.

Someone I admire a lot says "create the need and they will follow". Most of what is asked of teachers and their pedagogy using ICT is not seen as a need but as an "add on".

My other refelection is that many of the "higher ups"(present company excluded,of course!) who keep saying to teachers use this ICT stuff can't/don't do it themselves. If this Web 2.0 world is so important why aren't we all there?? I know of many luddite middle-managers who all to easily criticise the teacher of the Grade 9 class, (you know the one - with the special needs students and the computer network which is unreliable or out of date) for being slow to integrate ICT!!!

The teachers I work with are by and large very aware of the need to use ICT with their kids and keen to do so - they struggle to find the time!!