…technology with a twist

You need to appreciate this on several levels … I had a somewhat irate email from a co-worker today because it was perceived that I am hogging the bookings of the laptop pod (that’s the lemons)… my first reaction was irritation mainly because it was copied to our Head before it was even discussed between me and the co-worker … not a biggy I know but one of those common courtesies that I would normally try to afford others myself … truth of the matter is it was an honest mistake by me on the booking process where I selected the wrong end date etc etc and I immediately offered my help for today and then set about rectifying the long-term error - even called in TFT to help  … THEN tonight, on the way home, while I was still mulling it over, it occurred to me … and I smiled … this co-worker, who professes to know little about using computers, was fighting for computer time!! (that’s the lemonade!)

But what do I do now about my dilemma that I want that time for my class?

…it has been a funny kind of week with lots of highs and lows so like these guys…just dont know what to do when I get stuck like that…

The highs have been starting in on thinking about enriching the technology of Middle School. It is most definitely exciting to realise that some of the many wonderful things we’ve seen in place elsewhere may well become the tech environment we create for our kids.

I mentioned a competition to redesign the school desktop while I was on Middle School Assembly and had a yr 5 girl bring me a design the next morning - and its really cute & suitable as well. Then there was the Yr 5 boy who wanted to wait to find out what brand was the wireless mouse - the prize - before he put his energies into it!

I have an idea to create a progressive dinner around the restaurants of the bay as the girls and mums reciprocal of the boys and dads heading off to state of origin. Have called in two more lady teachers as allies to get this one up and running.

Then the lows..well..seems too many…friend talking about taking stress leave because leadership not giving real support, yet another friend diagnosed with breast cancer, daughter being tough on herself over a not-as-good-as-usual exam result, people ‘getting in the way’ all over the place and for a variety of reasons, wintry mornings, staff room ran out of real coffee, having to be diplomatic and listen when I would rather wring necks, wishing we could head to Luke’s diner and sit down for a girly therapy chat with Lorelie and Rory, assessments and exams and programs to write, register, hard copy, electronic copy…..sigh.

These are fabulous in the sense that they are a great wake up call to hop off the excuse train…how many do you use?? I counted 11 for me…is that good or bad??

The last part of the article offers the following advice:

1. Make a list of your three most bothersome excuses.

2. Turn each excuse into a powerful question, starting with the words “How can I?” or “How can we?”

3. Brainstorm each question - alone and with your team.

Ok then here is my list of excuses & my powerful question:

I don’t have the time.

How can I use the time of members of the ICT Committee and KICT to achieve more goals?

I can’t get the funding.

How can I be more proactive about thinking of new ways to raise funds/sponsorship?

My boss will never go for it.

How can I show the boss where it fits into the vision for the school?

I’ve got too much on my plate.

How can I delegate tasks to others on the ICT Committee and KICT?

There’s too much bureaucracy here to get anything done.

How can I use that bureaucratic process as part of the timeline to achieving the goals of more projects?

I won’t be able to get the ear of senior leadership

How can I ensure that senior leadership knows what the ICT Committee discusses and proposes?

I won’t be able to get enough support.

How can I use the support I have to build further support in all areas of the school?

They won’t give me any more time to work on the project.

How can I change the timeline on goals so that the project is achievable?

I don’t have enough clout to get things done.

How can I keep the projects and goals of the ICT Committee and KICT transparent to leadership and teachers?

I don’t want another thing to think about.

How can I combine ICT goals with my classroom teaching so that I achieve progress in both?

It will hard sustaining the motivation required.

How can I build in smaller, achievable goals within a larger project so that we can celebrate milestones along the way?

The BRAINSTORMING will be in my next post…

Possibly only once or twice a week

Just days before the challenge was launched I discovered CoComment and installed that to track comments. Previous to that, however, I simply used the option to have further comments emailed to me

I do tend to comment at the same blogs, but will occasionally comment on others when the post strikes a chord with my thinking at that time.