Life on the cutting edge.

Image via WikipediaIt’s not unusual when somebody shares a tip with me and then appends it by saying, “But I’m sure you already knew about that already.” I always find that funny because the only reason that I am familiar with so many sites and applications, is because people have learned about them and taken the time to share them! Rarely would I ever be so bold as to say that I was the ‘first’ person to discover something. It’s like we’re playing a giant game telephone, but in a multi-linear fashion. If I have any secret, it’s that I do my best to stay connected with a rather large group of people that are much more cutting edge than many of them believe themselves to be.

And that’s the other piece that I find absolutely fascinating. It often seems that most people that come up to me and chat after a presentation start up the conversation by saying, “I’m so far behind everyone, but I’m trying to catch up.” I couldn’t disagree more. In my experience, most educators are still FAR ahead of the curve.

Here’s what I mean. Jump onto a public bus or train. How many people on there do you think have ever created a blog? Listening to a podcast? Have created a network on Twitter? Know how to use Google Docs? Have collaborated on a wiki? And so on… What percentage of teachers do you think are adept in all those things? I dare say the overall percentage would be fairly low.

That’s why I truly do believe that the people who are sharing ideas with me on Twitter or staying behind to chat after presentations are more than likely WAY ahead of the majority of educators. They just don’t seem to believe it themselves. Why is it so hard to believe?

So out of curiosity, I’d love to hear where you think you fall on the bell curve. Ahead, behind, right on the top of the wave? And why?

36 Comments

Dan Callahan
12/16/2008

The thing is, when people feel the way you describe, as I sometimes do, we’re placing ourselves on a completely different bell curve. I’m pretty sure when it comes to this tech stuff in comparison to all teachers that I’m on the far right side, but when I compare myself to you and many of the other great educators I’ve met online or in person, I feel way on the left side of a new curve entirely.

You guys are the ones that make the rest of us aspire to be more than we are, better teachers. I’m much better off looking up at the pros and saying “I need to be more like that” than resting on my laurels by comparing myself to people who aren’t yet looking at this stuff.

Dan Callahan´s most recent blog post.. This week’s comments elsewhere (weekly)

Dan Callahan
12/16/2008

Commented on @teach42 ’s blog: http://tinyurl.com/5dvc6s

Sue Waters
12/16/2008

I agree majority of educators I meet are in the same situation and knowledge/skills of online tools is extremely low. But the good news is each year we are seeing increased usage of all as people learn of their benefits.

Me? I’m still learning Like anything in life the more you learn the more you realise the less you truly know (but isn’t that the best part?)

Sue Waters´s most recent blog post.. Insomnia, Twitter and Personal Learning Networks!

Bill Ferriter
12/16/2008

Hey Steve…

One of the sad realities of being ‘just a teacher’ is that subtle messages surround us every day that we are not the experts. We end up–just by proximity–being pretty far removed from decisions and decision makers, and as a result, we doubt what we know and can do.

This poor self-perception plays out in the kinds of interactions you describe here. The teachers you mention don’t see themselves as your equal because their school leaders wouldn’t see them as your equal. You are a ‘consultant.’. That is higher up the perceptual food chain than ‘classroom teacher.’

So the real question for me becomes when will the heirarchies come crashing down?

I think digital tools are helping with this because they are bringing transparency to the work of teachers. I know that I’m the digital equal of most because I can compare what I’m doing to the work of thousands of others—those comparisons weren’t possible even five years ago.

What’s more, others can see my expertise easily—through my blogs and wikis and contributions to digital conversations. That visibility breeds equality—and once other teachers embrace it, it will lead to increased professional confidence.

Does any of this make sense? I’m writing on my Blackberry and concentrating more on the keys than on my thoughts!

Bill

Leslie Healey
12/16/2008

I know alot more now than I did a year ago! And it is really fun: I have internalized enough that when I plan a new lesson or tweak an old one, tech improvements are often first. I am still surprised at how little our “tech savvy” students know-I can’t wait until more of them show me how to do it (besides AIM and facebook, that is).

Leslie Healey´s most recent blog post.. R-E-S-P-E-C-T….What does it mean to you? For THE FLASH

Aaron Smith
12/16/2008

I’m just far enough over the top of the “bell” part of the bell curve to see how much I don’t know yet.

Liberating and infuriating at the same time, as the learning from here on out becomes more difficult.

Martha Thornburgh
12/16/2008

For me, I think it is kind of like learning and speaking another language. The more I know, the more I know I don’t know. So, as I learn more, my bell curve changes. I am not comparing myself to teachers in my district. I am comparing myself with the big out there. And you are one of the windows to the big out there for me.

Martha Thornburgh´s most recent blog post.. The Science of Snowflakes

Robert Rowe
12/16/2008

The biggest lesson I learned was “don’t be afraid of messing something up”. It’s the reason I have one grandmom who emails, pays bills online, and connects to her grandkids through Facebook, while another grandmom is literally afraid of breaking her CD player.
So now, I give everything a try, then see if it belongs in my life or not.

Robert Rowe´s most recent blog post.. Catalyst’s (can we recycle more?)

Shaun Wood
12/16/2008

I have always thought of myself as doggy paddling about halfway up the wave. Having just completed my teaching degree, I can say that most new teachers are familiar with technology and the web. But they are at the bottom of the wave of understanding and applying these skills for an educational context. Our universities still operate 20st century while advocating 21st.

Janet Bianchini
12/17/2008

Although on the surface I am making the best attempt I can to learn about new technologies as they happen, deep down I still feel I am behind. No sooner do I think I am beginning to understand something than suddenly something else crops up which is totally new and mysterious!

Everything is happening a bit too fast for me. I guess that is my personal problem to deal with as I can. However,I have to admit, I have somehow learned more in the past few months than I have in years so for me that is definitely an encouraging learning curve. Reading postings on my blog sidebar every day is a good way of keeping up with what is “cutting edge”.

Janet Bianchini´s most recent blog post.. Odd Word Out

Shelley
12/17/2008

In the physical world, in the building where I work, I am a member of the ubergeek squad. Small, but mighty. Or so we would like to think. Sometimes it feels more like small and lonely. But we’re evangelizing, and well-supported.

Meanwhile, out in the wide cyberworld, I am a competent amateur, happy to sit and watch the masters and imagine my way towards the unknown future.

I think my comment stream consists largely of gratitude. Like this: Thank you for another thought-provoking post.

And I really mean it.

Andy Kohl
12/17/2008

I really like this post, Steve. For me, I see it as a depth versus bredth issue. I feel like I have a better than average knowledge of the ed-tech zeitgeist, but it’s probably not nearly as deep as it could be. On the other hand, I know other teachers who gravitate to a tool and really develop their instructional knowledge in that area. Talking to those people really opens my eyes and challenges me to take the time to learn, and not just collect buzzwords.

With so much happening in technology, it’s hard not to get pulled into the whirlwind – to try and collect as many resources in your head as possible. The challenge is to give yourself time to see the personal value and develop a “quality relationship” with that tool.

Thanks for starting this conversation.

Clif's Notes
12/17/2008

Suggested Reading…

The Coming Storm by Chris Lehmann
There are starting to be some stories breaking about what may be the single greatest crisis facing education and our society — college. The recent stories…about the rising cost of college, …scholarshi…

Paul Wozney
12/17/2008

Steve,
For me the issue isn’t feeling ahead or behind on a bell curve of technology use. I most likely fall hard right on anyone’s bell curve when it comes to integration and use of technology in my teaching.

The issue is feeling like the enemy when I want to push the envelope with something new, and being actively constricted by people at a school board level that have the power to decide what I can or cant’ do but lack anything approaching the knowledge or experience to understand what I would like to try or recent practice in teaching that makes use of technology for anything other than project powerpoint.

Like you, I’m all about searching and sharing. Conferences are like an escape from alcatraz- you get to see what the outside world is doing. I devour ed tech blogs like yours to get linked to great new sites and tools.

Most of all, I love to share. I’d partner with anyone who wanted to learn something, because it usually means I learn something new about whatever it is I’m teaching that pushes me to grow and adapt and become more effective.

I love cheerleading and encouraging peers not only try new things, but to not stop at one- to stay open and play with things on your own and keep learning.

Even an expert who stops reading and experimenting goes stale fast in our day- the pace of change is too great to stay parked.

Paul Wozney´s most recent blog post.. August Rush: Making A Connection

rosao
12/17/2008

Reading http://tinyurl.com/5tzx65

Errin
12/17/2008

Hi Steve,
Neat post and it makes sense. I think that educators are generally fairly modest people because of the students. So much of our work each day is about others that we don’t really think about ourselves as much as people in other professions might.

Also, as Sue mentioned, “the more you learn the more you realise the less you truly know”. Combine modesty with educated people who realize all the wonderful things they still have to learn, and you’ll get that inferior perspective.

Instead of a bell curve, I’ve often thought that I know more than most but not as much as some. It’s a comfortable spot for me and pretty much where I try to keep myself. That way, I know enough to feel knowledgeable, but still feel motivated to learn more.

Errin´s most recent blog post.. Edublog Awards

Brian
12/17/2008

For those of you that feel you aren’t “ahead of the curve” because you see so many great examples online, think back to your old psych classes for a moment. It’s a perfect example of the availability heuristic.

When you search the internet, you find a lot of education blogs about technology. It’s easy to think of an example of someone doing innovative things with technology, because writing your own blog about your classroom presupposes a pretty hefty amount of technological know-how and gumption. That doesn’t mean that all educators are reflective, blogging, tech experts.

Whether you’re talking about the “big out there,” or your own small little pond, if you’re experimenting with technology – no matter how small – you’re probably pretty far to the right on the bell curve. Don’t underestimate your own courage and creativity. You’re probably light years beyond the majority of the education world.

Another point to consider is that it’s not necessarily technological savvy that sets you apart – it’s the courage to try new things. Once you abandon the old model and open yourself up to the possibilities of technology, you’ve broken the mold and headed to the front of the class.

Here’s an example from my own school. One thing I’m proud of this year is maintaining a website for my class with a record of assignments, resources, etc that students might need. It’s hosted on Wordpress.com, meaning that it requires relatively little “tech savvy” to create.

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve introduced two other teachers to the idea, shown them around the Wordpress dashboard, and they’ve since started their own sites. One of those teachers was pretty clueless about technology, but she quickly realized that she already had all the skills she needed – what she needed was resources (like Wordpress.com).

Brian´s most recent blog post.. What Do They Want to Learn?

Doug Johnson
12/18/2008

Hi Steve,

This is a fascinating topic. Can I think of myself as being at the back of the front? Or the front of the back?

I do think that the spread among those who “know” and those that seem clueless, has been exacerbated by technology. (See: http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2008/10/2/the-continuums-ends.html)

And will this be a continuing, growing trend?

Doug

Doug Johnson´s most recent blog post.. Equal time

Steve
12/18/2008

While I do see what you mean about putting yourself on a different bell curve, and I would hope that it would be for the sake of motivation and inspiration, I feel like many teachers almost feel dejected, embarrassed, and down on themselves because they’re ’so far behind’. It would almost be like me trying to judge my swimming ability by comparing myself to Michael Phelps. It would be fair to me!

I do hope that for most people, they don’t REALLY believe that internally, but my gut reaction is that they do.

Steve
12/18/2008

@Sue Couldn’t agree more. As many people consider me an expert in… well, something, there are so many others out there that I know are so much more knowledgeable and that I learn from every day. That’s the great thing about having such easy access to so many different communities of people. The experts are all within reach!

Steve
12/18/2008

@Bill First of all, I’m amazed that you could type that much and that well on your Blackberry. Heh, I can’t even type that clearly when I’m on a keyboard!

You touch on an interesting point though, which is the “You can’t be an expert in your own village” idea. Ironically, while I was considered an expert in podcasting, blogging and Web 2.0 in general, the school I worked at wouldn’t those ideas the time of day until one of them heard Alan November speak. He wasn’t saying anything different than what I’d be pressing for all along, but I was considered to be just a ‘tech-guy’, and certainly not an expert.

Perhaps that’s one of the most powerful aspects of online social networks, is it provides a means for getting the recognition for your knowledge and ideas that you may not get at your day job.

Steve
12/18/2008

@ArtGuy That’s a fantastic perspective on it. Totally agree. The more you know the more you realize how little you know.

But surely you can put it in perspective and realize that you’re more savvy than the average bear, right?

Steve
12/18/2008

@Shaun I like the dog paddling analogy. And that’s true, it’s important to separate basic knowledge/awareness, from understanding and application. I guess I’m hoping that the new knowledge is inspiring and empowering, instead of frustrating and debilitating. I think most teachers are more knowledgeable than they give themselves credit for. And if they don’t believe that they have ‘tech skills’, they’ll be less inclined to try to make use of the ones they have!

Steve
12/18/2008

@Janet I gotta tell you, I feel the same way. Everytime I think I have a good grasp on what’s out there, somebody else drops a name that “EVERYONE knows” and that I’ve never heard of! I think you’ve captured exactly what I was trying to convey in the blog post. Despite the fact that you’ve learned an incredible amount in the past few months, and that you’re reading and blogging and so on, you still feel like you’re behind. And yet, I look at you and think that you’re so far ahead of the vast majority of the teachers I meet!

It’s an interesting conundrm. There are so many teachers doing truly inspiring things with technology, but don’t quite realize how cutting edge they truly are. They’re just doing what they do best… teach children!

Steve
12/18/2008

@Shelley Your comment made me smile! And I really mean that

What you’re referring to is almost the opposite of Bill’s comment, in that at y our day job you get validation and recognition that you’re the expert, the proverbial big fish in the little pond. And then you feel that when you’re online, you’re a smaller fish in a bigger pond.

I guess I’m thinking that you’re a big fish and the size of the pond is becoming increasingly irrelevant!

Steve
12/18/2008

@Paul Very depressing, but I do appreciate the perspective you have on things. I know the feeling quite well, I was helping educators around the world get started podcasting and blogging and such… and never got permission to do any of it with my own teachers at the school I was working at.

Steve
12/18/2008

@Erin Modesty can certainly look a lot like inferiority and that’s a much more half-full sort of perspective. I like that a lot and hope that it’s true. Entirely possible. Definitely a different spin to put on the experience. And clearly there are people who I consider to be experts who are rather humble about their own knowledge. I just hope that inside themselves they are able to pride in their own expertise and accomplishments.

Steve
12/18/2008

@Doug Hrrrm… That’s tricky. A new sort of digital divide. And my gut reaction is to agree in some sense. Considering, the people that ‘know’ are going to keep getting more knowledgeable while the others will be remain stagnant.

And what will close that gap? I can only thing of two things. 1) Retirement and 2) Peer/institutional pressure. That’s a doozy.

Dave Sherman
12/19/2008

As a web 2.0 focused principal, I would say that most of my colleagues would are clueless regarding the Read/Write web. They are they majority on your bus. Most do not blog, have wikis, or have a clue about Google Docs. That is why I continue to write posts like this one. It may be old news to those of us in the edu-blogosphere, however, I feel as if I still need to share the wealth of these wonderful teaching and learning tools.
http://blog109.org/communities/dsherman/archive/2008/12/14/38974.aspx

Dave Sherman´s most recent blog post.. Google Docs Rocks!

Koichi
12/21/2008

Wayy ahead of the curve

Saying that, I definitely still learn so many new things every day…there’s sooo much information out there it’s impossible to “keep up with all of it.”

I totally agree with you, just the fact that all of us here are reading this blog make us ahead of the curve. But… people are catching up. I know my 10 year old cousins know some things I don’t – it’s a whole new generation, and now I’m starting to feel old

geek.teacher » Blog Archive » This week’s comments elsewhere (weekly)
12/21/2008

[...] Life on the cutting edge. – Teach42 [...]

Jean Tower
12/27/2008

I am snugly ensconced in the lower half of the upper third – my own silly way of saying I think I’m ahead of many and behind a bunch when it comes to the “cutting edge.” What worries me is the significant number of educators who still seem to be oblivious to the R/W web & 21st century skills and are not in high gear trying to learn about it.

Jean Tower´s most recent blog post.. The “Next Net Day”

Jeff Hamilton
12/27/2008

I’d like to think that I’m skiing down a black diamond slope to the right with the wind in my smiling face. However, I think most teachers just don’t invest the time to explore the tools that you mention. Maybe it’s that fear of the unknown that holds them back. I don’t know. But, as a tech resource teacher, I find many classrooms with a wealth of technology gathering dust. That’s why I invest so much time telling others about Web 2.0 technologies and other OSS available via the web. Every chance I get, I use the mantra “Give me 30 seconds and I’ll show you something that will change your life.” Before long, I’m getting emails from a friend of a friend asking where they can find that cool link or application. At a Christmas party this week, I told a colleague about how I added ClustrMaps to my blog, and finding that I was averaging about 100 hits per month. While I thought this was next to nothing, he informed me that he was one of those few hundred . . . and to keep posting. After reading your post, I reflected on why I started my blog 1) to warehouse ideas I longed to explore myself when time allowed (which needless to say is hard with a one-year-old at home), and 2) to share with colleagues. His comments, and your post, inspire me to keep blogging.

diane
12/27/2008

I feel very much a latecomer when I read the posts on my Google Reader, or interact on Twitter or Plurk.

Yet no other teachers in my district have a blog or participate in social networking (to my knowledge).

My superintendent and principals “humor” me, our IT tries to accommodate my wishes but won’t give me override privileges. In my little world, I am a leader, a mover and a shaker. But it isn’t trickling down, and our students aren’t reaping the benefits of my intense personal PD.

I am learning and growing, but my school is not. How very sad for all concerned.

diane´s most recent blog post.. Christmas Celebration 2008

ken
1/8/2009

Okay, so ahead of the curve.

Now what?

What does the knowledge of, awareness of, ability to sign-up for, all mean to me?

Yeah, to me. Is that a self-serving, get-out-of-education position?

But I’m reading Outliers by M. Gladwell and he writes about immigrants who came to this country with an ability to sew. That ability turned them to the garment industry. And then, through pluck, moxie, and fortunate birth dates, they were able to forge successful careers.

So what does one do with knowing these tools? With being able to say, ‘yes, I know about Quark, Snark, Plurk, and Jurk’? I mean, more than sharing with other people?

Okay, so I’m ahead of the curve.

Now what?

ken´s most recent blog post.. OTC irony

Steve
1/8/2009

@Ken
Interesting, I may have to read that one. I don’t have an easy answer for ya (nor would you want one I think), but imho, being aware of different sites and applications is in some sense similar to being aware of algebraic equations. The more you learn what the rules are, the more you can do with them.

Being on Twitter and Plurk doesn’t do anything for you. Participating actively in them can raise your awareness of political issues, best practices, collaborative projects, and new techniques that other people are employing to improve the education they provide to their students. Can you do that without Twitter and Plurk? Absolutely. But having a broad understanding of what’s available and ‘out there’ CAN be indicative of a deeper understanding of how the tools can be used. No, there isn’t a direct corrolation, but there is a loose connection there.

What does it mean to you? It means you have paths available to you besides the sewing industry.

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