Education Trends, Uncategorized | Jun 28, 2011
Stop the tech snobbery
By Angela Watson
Founder and Writer
Stop the tech snobbery
By Angela Watson
If we want to ever get technophobes comfortable with technology, those of us who love the stuff have got to stop being tech snobs. I’m at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference where tech lovers in education unite. Unfortunately, there are occasional wafts of divisiveness that kill the otherwise pervasive spirit of collaboration and enthusiastic learning here:
- Said to a publisher in the exhibit hall as he walked past dismissively: “I don’t read [printed] books. I have no use for them.”
- Tweeted on Twitter: “I can’t believe tech people are hearing things at this conference that are 100% brand new to them. Very SCARY.”
- Announced by a presenter in a session: “It burns me up inside when teachers tell me they’re using technology and then show me a PowerPoint they created. Doesn’t that burn you guys up?”
Um, no, it doesn’t.
You can’t shame educators into using technology any more than you can shame kids into behaving. Does it work? Yeah, sometimes. But it also breeds resentment, bitterness, and fear which make learning twice as hard.
If people are resistant to your ideas or slow to adapt them, it might be because they sense a patronizing, conscending attitude, one that you don’t intend to show but shines through nevertheless. They know you’re mocking them behind their backs to your fellow techies, which makes them resistant not only to you but to all the wonderful technology that you represent. It’s tough for learners to be open to new possibilities when they feel judged and defensive.
So, if you really want non-tech people to incorporate tech use into their instructional practice, you have to inspire them, not embarrass them. You have to demonstrate the passion you want others to exhibit. Be so enthusiastic about what you do that it’s contagious. Make experiences with technology so enjoyable that people can’t help but shift their paradigm.
Model. Support. Scaffold. Meet the non-tech users right where they’re at. Praise and encourage them in their small wins. Acknowledge that the learning curve is tough, and you’ve been there too…but the payoff is worth the perseverance.
That’s the way we treat our students. It’s the way we need to treat each other, too.
Angela Watson
Founder and Writer
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Imagine if we said to our students “You’re still reading Encyclopedia Brown books – that was sooo 20 years ago” – or something more menacing. There is an incredible lack of ethnicity.
Wow! Quite the popular post! You make a thoughtful point about our interactions with students and how it turns them “on” or “off” to learning. Change is hard enough on its own, but when you add in belittlement and fear it takes out the possibility for positive long, lasting effects. Educators are role-models, your every move is watched closely (counting your attitude)! Remember, everyone was a novice at some point.
Yep, I am still amazed at how many tech tools there are to be a novice about! It seems like ten new tech sites/services are started everyday. Checking out the latest programs and apps is a great way to stay humble! 🙂
Angela, thank you for this post. There is definitely a gap between the haves and have-nots in the classroom, especially in the area of tech resources. There are many great Web 2.0 tools that I use in the classroom, but with only one computer, I, not the students, am usually the one using them for instruction. Sometimes my colleagues scoff at my use of paper handouts and “old-school” methods. However, I do not have a computer for every kid in the class as they do. Besides, sometimes paper, pencil, and tangible (not virtual) manipulatives can be easier than technology for both student and teacher, and many times these methods are just as effective as tech methods. I agree with your reminder, and I believe we must remember too that simply using technology for technology’s sake, or to say we an use the latest-and-greatest equipment, will not necessarily make us better teachers. I keep up with tech as much as I reasonably can, and I appreciating you reminding the haves of their privilege.
Spot on! As a mentor to “the most unlikely candidates ” of teachers in my district as far as tech integration goes, this is exactly how I tackle the challenge. My team spoke at ISTE on our success, failures and advice along these lines on Monday. Relationship building and trust goes much farther than “this is easy” or “you don’t know how to do THAT, that’s easy.”