As educators we have all experienced change. In fact, change is almost a constant thing these days when you take into account initiatives like STEM, STEAM, Coding, Maker, Robotics, PBL, Inquiry & 1-to-1. When you look at all of these together it can be quite overwhelming to say the least!
Many of these initiatives require teachers to have a certain level of competence & confidence using technology. As a Technology Integrator and Coach, a big part of my job is to teach skills, provide support & ultimately create a culture where technology is valued & used regularly and effectively by students & teachers.
For some people, learning new skills and managing a “change” to their routine is easy. For others, “change” is as daunting as a trip to the dentist. There has been plenty written about “change” and this particular quote inspires me when I face my own “change” moments:
For me, “accepting change” is the most difficult hurdle I encounter as a Technology Integrator. My title should really be “Change Manager” as this tends to be a significant part of what I do. Managing the change process is not easy and requires a lot of patience. At times the change process seems to move at glacial speed, making me wonder if change is happening at all.
I’m happy to report that change does occur, albeit slowly and even sneakily. I’m two and a half years into my current role and now I am seeing signs of considerable growth and “change”, sometimes more than I had expected. For example, becoming fully 1-to-1 (laptop) in our secondary school has allowed teachers and students to access tools & apps that make learning more engaging, authentic & individualized. Teachers are responding to this reality by adding to their skills via our in-house Tech Tuesday PD sessions and by acquiring micro-credentials such as the Google Educator Level 1 certification.
The “change” process has been like a slow burn, plenty of hard work early on that created smoke but not a lot of fire. Today, the fire is visible and it is well established. I’m now curious to see how big that fire becomes.
Many of these initiatives require teachers to have a certain level of competence & confidence using technology. As a Technology Integrator and Coach, a big part of my job is to teach skills, provide support & ultimately create a culture where technology is valued & used regularly and effectively by students & teachers.
For some people, learning new skills and managing a “change” to their routine is easy. For others, “change” is as daunting as a trip to the dentist. There has been plenty written about “change” and this particular quote inspires me when I face my own “change” moments:
The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw yourself.― C. JoyBell C.
For me, “accepting change” is the most difficult hurdle I encounter as a Technology Integrator. My title should really be “Change Manager” as this tends to be a significant part of what I do. Managing the change process is not easy and requires a lot of patience. At times the change process seems to move at glacial speed, making me wonder if change is happening at all.
I’m happy to report that change does occur, albeit slowly and even sneakily. I’m two and a half years into my current role and now I am seeing signs of considerable growth and “change”, sometimes more than I had expected. For example, becoming fully 1-to-1 (laptop) in our secondary school has allowed teachers and students to access tools & apps that make learning more engaging, authentic & individualized. Teachers are responding to this reality by adding to their skills via our in-house Tech Tuesday PD sessions and by acquiring micro-credentials such as the Google Educator Level 1 certification.
The “change” process has been like a slow burn, plenty of hard work early on that created smoke but not a lot of fire. Today, the fire is visible and it is well established. I’m now curious to see how big that fire becomes.
