Teachable Moments
Every night, I've sat down ready to write an email back to a teacher on a list-serv who provided an example of blogging to one of my networks. Each night, I close that email never sending the thoughts I have about what at best is an attempt at a discussion board and at worst is an electronic worksheet.
Sadly, this isn't the only case where I've not offered the critical feedback. Sure, I've blogged about it. I've presented about it. I've written about it. However, it is always in the abstract. What I missed doing was taking advantage of the teachable moment and that is just poor practice. Not only is it bad for the individual that shared the example, it is really harmful for those that take the lack of criticism from others as a sign that this is how a teacher should implement these tools into the classroom.
Just think about the examples provided when someone ask for great examples of blogs or wikis in the classroom. What we typically see are discussion boards or teacher websites using the blog or wiki platform. How many of these examples were not exemplars and yet no one provided feedback, no one challenged this teacher to see beyond their current practices, and no one helped this teacher and those watching grow?
I know I've failed to take advantage of these teachable moments and that is simply poor leadership. Yes, it is hard to be a person offering that type of feedback especially in this day of "there are no rules; go crazy!" attitude that rears its head when someone does offer feedback.
However, we have to remember that we have a professional responsibility to provide this type of critical feedback especially those that are considered or consider themselves leaders in the area of educational technology (not me by any stretch of the imagination). Remember, these teachers are being observed and evaluated. These teachers are sharing with colleagues. Most importantly, these teachers are teaching students.
If these teachers are not engaging in best practices (I know... I know...), how can we simply turn a blind eye? How can we set these teachers up for failure in their classroom? How can we let these poor ideas spread to others? How can we let what were less than stellar practices before participatory media continue just because they are using technology? How can we let students suffer from these poor practices?
Across networking sites, educators in various positions constantly share examples of participatory media in the classroom and the feedback is usually non-existent or if there is feedback, it is excitement that they are using these tools INSTEAD of looking at how they are using these tools. Isn't it time that along with the sharing of the uses of participatory media, there is some questioning and some challenging? Isn't it our professional responsibility to capture these teachable moments?
"A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go but ought to be." Rosalynn Carter
"Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathy with despised and persecuted ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences." Susan B Anthony
If you would like to comment, this post is available on Metanoia.