What really determines the success or failure of change?
Without a doubt the decision to enter into a marriage is the greatest leap of faith a person can undertake. It tends to happen either one of two ways. Many will spend months, if not years in deliberation. Significant time is spent getting to know each other; identifying each others' potentials and pitfalls; analyzing the upsides and downsides; evaluating the long and short-term repercussions. All the while time passes by. Finally, after much thought and hand wringing on both sides the decision is made to make a go of it, or not. While others simply act on a hunch, a feeling, a sense that the moment is right and leap, or not. Rash maybe, but certainly moving forward toward a goal. Interestingly enough the success of a marriage is all too often ultimately defined by the length of time it survives rather than the growth and benefit to those involved and productivity that results. Yet, when we face change isn't it really our attitude going forward that really dictates success?
Reflecting upon today's information and the exciting potential benefits that the infusion of technologies like Google could bring to bear on the education, I'm feeling like a young lover on the verge of popping the question while wrestling with the uncertainty of success: Will they love me back? For life? The reality is that I feel we need to move sooner rather than later. Waiting on this one will cost us and our students dearly especially in this day and age.
The reality is that our collective attitude toward the change, more than the change itself that will will determine the ultimate success of anything we do. If we proceed with the thought that success is uncertain, we will work to meet that end. If we approach this change with the attitude that we will only accept success we will work towards that end. The tools of Google Docs is a great, and inexpensive place to start allowing our students to learn and create.
"The reality is that our collective attitude toward the change, more than the change itself that will will determine the ultimate success of anything we do"
ReplyDeleteYou speak the truth! It is sort of like technology is not just an object, but can also be a concept, or a process. A bridge is a technology object, but the IDEA of a bridge is also a technology.
It is not that technology will save us per se, but perhaps that technology affords us the opportunity to reexamine our collective attitude toward changing education. Reexamine our own "teaching technology."
I love your marriage analogy...so true about the "leap of faith". Our students will leap whether we're with them or not, and I, for one, do not want to be left behind. Rather, even though I may not be able to lead the way, I can certainly set the conditions for exploration, discovery, and learning.
ReplyDeleteAs in marriage, take one day at a time... If it is the right relationship it will last longer and you feel already engaged with the versions up to come. If the tool is not for you, you will know it on the first date... Good analogy.
ReplyDeleteTrue enough, "Our collective attitude toward the change". Attitude is everything. This is an exciting path and it is my hope we can quickly cultivate the fields to foster the new growth.
ReplyDeleteGreat reflection Rhett.
Stunningly perfect analogy.
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