Comments on: Are you an “enabler”?

By: cawp

cawp — Thu, 22 May 2008 22:45:23 +0000

You made me aware of how I am not helping the teacher when I do it. When I am really busy, I just want to be in and out, but I really need to take the time and make them touch the mouse and move it. I am doing the learner injustice. Thanks for helping me see the light.

Bill Gaskins

By: Heather Loy

Heather Loy — Tue, 13 May 2008 23:46:05 +0000

Cathy, for me it all depends upon the situation and person. If I’m strapped for time, I usually just fix whatever is wrong. If I have time, I’ll make the teacher do the driving. I’ve always learned by doing and when it comes to training teachers (and students) I prefer to have them at the controls and walk them through it vs me lecturing them the whole time.

By: Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Sun, 11 May 2008 15:44:24 +0000

@Doug
Up until that day, I did think my enabling teachers to use their tools was a positive way to support them. I was proud of my ability to enable them. It was a powerful feeling that gave me a lot of elation. And my friend who called me an enabler meant no harm. She was paying me a compliment. So, yes, enabler is a complimentary word. But it did make me realize that I should change my ways a little, and transform from one who would do everything for them to one who would enable them to help themselves. I’m happy to report that I have done exactly that, but admittedly there are crisis moments where I have to spin my magic. It helps too that colleagues think I’m a miracle worker at times. Keeps my principal happy too, not to mention the ego booster it is for me.

By: Doug Johnson

Doug Johnson — Sun, 11 May 2008 15:31:42 +0000

Hi Cathy,

This topic has long bothered me as well. I’ve addressed it in two ways.

When asked to do something for a teacher on the computer is usually, “I will do FOR you this time, but next time I will teach it to you.” (If a thing happens rarely it is more time efficient to just do it for a person.)

I always encourage my techs and media specialist to wait 10 minutes before responding to any tech “emergency.” It is amazing how many times the teacher figures out the problem him/herself in that short amount of time.

“Enabler” should have a positive connotation if we are empowering others.

Good post!

Doug

By: Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:56:17 +0000

@Pat–at least you have your husband in the fray–mine just rolls his eyes and can’t figure out the lure, and my 17 yo son always asks if I’m talking about real friends or virtual one. They love teasing me. I’m proud to know you were able to get your husband to enjoy something that brings you pleasure as well.

@Jen–yes, that was more than a year ago, and then and there I decided to no longer be the “enabler.” While my friend meant no harm and was just teasing, I realized that indeed instead of helping people I was handicapping them. While it is rewarding to feel needed and a vital component in a program, it is much more rewarding to teach them to be independent.

By: Jen Wagner

Jen Wagner — Sun, 11 May 2008 07:17:22 +0000

I will admit that I was an enabler…..
and the way I broke it –

I NEVER sit in their chair nor touch their mouse when I come to help anymore.

When I walk in, they always stand up — and I tell them to sit down and walk them through the fix.

Takes a bit more time, A LOT more patience….but in the long run, we both win.

Jen

By: Pat

Pat — Sun, 11 May 2008 03:35:34 +0000

Sometimes I think it depends on what I want the outcome to be. In order to get my husband to blog, I had to set up the blog for him rather than spend the time teaching him how to set it up. He wanted to do the blog posts but is easily frustrated and I knew if he spent the time trying to set up the blog, he would have lost interest in it. As he gets more comfortable with actual blogging, he is comfortable asking me how to do little things to enhance his blog. I am trying to decide now when I teach my summer course which one I want to put more focus on: the setting up and then blogging, or the blogging and then enhancing the blog.