Let the Frustration Set In..
By tnturner on Dec 5, 2007 in Random Musings, Technology Integration
For those of you that follow my Twitter feed (Tom_Turner) you will have noticed some very disheartening comments being passed along. I understand that my current position is a combination technology integration specialist and network/hardware administrator. Unfortunately for me, more time is spent working on the hardware/network infrastructure of my job description. Is it a complaint? Not really in my estimation. Just trying to keep being a realist about things.
I wanted to share this last little bit of wisdom that was shared with me this week. I recently opened up a 3rd computer lab on my campus. Again, I’m very, I MEAN VERY, blessed to have a School Technology head who purchased 40 extra workstations to use on campus. This alone allowed me to open a second and a third computer lab on campus, which I think makes all the difference. The first 2 labs are being used as a skill n’ drill type lab, so my goal was to open this one up as a research and projects lab. Now for the nugget, “There is no time to use the computer lab for such trivial things as research and to type projects.” So what is this teacher’s response to this? “Mr. T, go ahead and take me off of the lab time schedule, I’m just not going to go.”
This was just the latest one, there were more over the last few weeks. I won’t go into great detail into them, as I don’t want to harp on them. Frustrated? Yes, why yes I am. I’m sure it will pass. As with every time that I sense becoming highly frustrated, I tend to stay away from my office and work around the school. The last two days I’ve spent in the Media Center setting up (I will say FINALLY) the workstations for up there. It only took 5 months, but they are definitely done. In the end he has a pretty nice set up: 6 desktops and a movable 10 wireless laptop lab. Not even 10 minutes, while I was packing up my stuff to go down to my office, a class working on a project (this is where the hope comes in) on Lewis and Clark were having HUGE issues in finding books. Between the 2 of us, we worked with the class in using our online card catalog system to find the books they would need. To put the icing on this story this particular teacher’s response to the decree on computer use/projects was a basic “I don’t care, they need to learn how to do it anyways, so why not now!” made me feel much better.
Sorry for the rant, so </rant>
Seeking the Wisdom of the Ages…
Tom.
4 Comment(s)
Hey Mr. T —
Don’t despair — remember it is baby steps and sometimes a couple of tumbles — but in the long run, with patience, help, and encouragement — you will make an impact!!
Keep up the hard work!!
Jen
Tom, I feel your pain. Last night in my master’s class, we started presenting our action research projects that we had to do. There was a theme throughout each of the presentations. All of us in the class decided to use our district’s PD time to show teachers how to use technology in new and exciting ways. All of us were met with teachers that could care less. All of use had teachers during out presentations that used the time on the computer to check email, bank statements, or grade papers while we were presenting.
There can be two ways to look at our situations, one way will lead us nowhere. The other way is to look at those teachers are those that need to be converted into seeing the light of sound best practices in the classroom. Turn your frustration into a positive by going to the teachers and showing them an exciting lesson or two that is technology rich, does not take a lot of time and most improtantly, covers a major objective that they need to cover. Think HOTS (High-Order Thinking Skills) technology.
It may take some time, however if you continue to provide them with one on one PD and support, you may find that their lab use time increases. Remember, Shift Happens.
Thank you both Evan and Jen. Maybe I’m just pining for attention. I feel it today as I’m sitting here at my desk. Glad to be walking around a bunch today delivering more laptops to classrooms. Thanks for reminding me of “baby steps” Jen.
And Evan, for the most part, most of my teachers are VERY receptive to what I’m sharing with them. It’s more a philosophical difference in best practices at the administrative levels. Time to start my Master’s in Ed Leadership?
I totally understand where you’re coming from. I spent three years working as an IT coordinator and by the end, I spent far more time with machines than people.
All I can say is don’t let the turkeys get you down. DOn’t get into one of those situations where you’re spending 90% of your energy on 10% of the people.
Keep your eyes on the prize and put your time and energy into places where you can make a difference!