So much truth here it hurts!
Dec 19th, 2011 by Cathy Jo Nelson
I love how Christmas break frees up time and really allows me to throughly read through my feeds. I can take the time to think through the posts, reflect, ask myself questions, develop action plans, and apply what I am learning to my own teaching and learning context. Many times I leave my reader knowing I have shared good content with those who need to read it, hear it, see it, and feel I am doing my part–leading by example.
By Ari Moore, Flickr, CC Licensed
Truths
Today though, that is not the case. Doug Johnson has struck a nerve and now I am hurting! for me it’s about truths. I have been in the mix of PLNs and 2.0 learning for such a long time now–past the five-year mark (my blog was born on October 17, 2006.) it was then I decided to do more than just take from my network, but work to give back as well. I have used various tools including my blog, other blogs, wikis, nings, Twitter, and even Facebook as a way to advance my own learning and at the same time SHARE with others.
Read the post – 12 signs
Today though after reading Doug’s post, 12 signs your tech leadership is obsolescent, I realize there is so much more to be done, particularly on the home front. I see signs of hope–there is a Facebook and Twitter presence where there was none before, and teachers may request “district issued” gmail accounts to engage students in some 2.0 tools…but in terms of most everything else in the list, there is so much more room for growth. What’s a girl to do? I have evangelized the merits of many of these in the list before, but often wonder if it is falling on deaf ears? Am I sharing with the wrong people?
No, I’m not mad or angry.
Sometimes truths like this are what motivates me into action. I guess I need to develop an action list and work even more towards relevancy on my own home front. But being one voice in one school, I’m just not sure my impact can be greater than those I directly interact with on a day to day basis. But I also realize I have to start somewhere.
And that, my friends, is why this hurts. Sigh.
SIDENOTE: As a scoured flickr for cc creative commons license picture to use her, I came across the one above. I always open them up to see who posted it and maybe get some context from it. The picture accompanied a brief description that stuck with me too:
This is a mess. I was waiting for Shira to finish with the black pen and wrote “tell truth” in a million fonts, making it really difficult to read. This annoys me, but I think it brings up an interesting idea: truth is messy and complicated sometimes, but it’s still got value in that it’s truth, and it deserves to be heard and understood even if it’s unpleasant or difficult.
Ari Moore, July 22, 2006
Cathy -
I love that you are able to read Doug Johnson’s post and it spurs you to action. However, as one who thorougly enjoys your blog and learns a ton-load (it’s a word, I promise) from you, please remember that your tech leadership is NOT obsolete. I work in a district where technology is slowly catching on, and I have to constantly remind myself that it’s OK that we aren’t at the front of the pack – what is important is that we teach kids to think and teach them how to use technology, even though by the time we finish teaching them about any given technology, it’ll be out of date. Our responsibility to our staff and students is to be good role models and to encourage them to integrate technology (and reading) into their daily lives. You do that. Daily.
So I wish you the best of luck with your holiday goal setting, and you’re awesome for always wanting to be better! But please don’t forget about all the good you already do.
Happy Holidays,
Suzanne
Suzanne´s last [type] ..Trapped by Michael Northrop
Thanks Suzanne. I really needed that!
Hey, Cathy Jo,
It’s important to realize that good tech efforts are always team responsibilities. No matter how progressive any one individual may be, a reactionary tech director, principal, faculty or superintendent can slow the process down. I know that happens in my district.
Have a happy (and guilt-free) holiday!
Doug