You can be a leading instance in e-learning
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 | e-Learning pioneers | No Comments
The e-pioneer is a pacesetter.
Athletes and race-horses need to pace themselves throughout a race. While starting fast enough so that they don’t fall behind, they should not go so fast that they have no energy left to finish the race. A pacesetter helps runners to maintain the correct tempo.
The pacesetter has become a metaphor for any person who runs ahead, who takes the lead, or who sets a standard for others to emulate.
The e-pioneer is a pacesetter – a leader in the field of in e-learning.
e-Pioneers set high standards for themselves – they also set high standards for those whom they lead. A pacesetter must lead by example – never ask followers to do anything you won’t do yourself. For example, if you expect teachers to use e-mail, do you communicate with them by means of e-mail?
A word of warning to e-pioneers: don’t set the pace of technology too fast. It may lead to burn-out. A good pacesetter considers the person running the race – this means that you must be mindful of the experience level of those following you.
The pacesetting e-pioneer must be a motivator. When someone falls behind – perhaps missing training opportunities – you must provide encouragement and help the lagger to pick up the pace.
If you want to be a good pacesetter you must be willing to jump – boots and all – into the race. Run alongside the ones you are leading, giving them the comfort or your presence and support.
Click here for more food for thought for e-pioneers.
More change agents required!
Saturday, March 6th, 2010 | e-Learning pioneers | 4 Comments
The e-pioneer is a change agent.
A change agent is someone who attempts to alter the behaviour of people or organizations with the purpose of enabling them to do more.
The world around us is changing at a rapid pace. The mind-blowing advance of technology is one of the greatest contributing factors to this change. Unfortunately many people are intimidated by technology and they, as well as their organizations, do not keep pace with the changes happening around them. Sadly, they are left behind.
This is why the e-pioneer must be a change agent.
It is not easy to be a change agent. When people don’t want to change they dig in their heels and kick and scream to preserve the status quo in order to stay within their comfort zone.
If you think it is hard to be a change agent, don’t forget that it is even harder to change.
You can only be an effective change agent if you understand the fears and apprehensions of those who need to change – listen to them and take note of their concerns.
To succeed as a change agent, the e-pioneer must be many things: you need to be a salesperson, a counsellor, a confidante, a teacher – and above all, you must set an example that will show others the advantages of change.
Click here for more food for thought for e-pioneers.
Teacher laptop initiative delayed … AGAIN!
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 | laptops | 14 Comments
The long awaited implementation of the Teacher Laptop initiative is not yet happening. According to reports, the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) has indicated that there is yet another delay.
The reasons for the delay are vague. The bottom line to teachers: don’t rush out to buy your laptop unless you’ve received the go-ahead from your provincial authorities.
While the authorities are dragging their heals on the Teacher Laptop Initiative, most children in our schools are walking around with cell phones in their pockets. They’re not using their mobile devices for making telephone calls – they mainly use them to send text messages and passing pictures to one another.
This means that our learners are digitally connected. Gone are the days of the digital divide for them – they have crossed the gulf. Sadly, bureaucratic bungling left many of our teachers on the wrong side of the divide.
Remove obstacles to technology adoption
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 | e-Learning pioneers | 2 Comments
The e-pioneer is a groundbreaker.
After settling in a new territory the pioneer needs a place to plant crops. A level patch of land close to a river may be ideal for this purpose. The pioneer now faces the laborious task of removing trees and rocks to transform the field into arable land. This activity is called groundbreaking and engaging in this activity makes the pioneer a groundbreaker.
At the start of a building project a dignitary is often seen with a spade in his hand, engaging in a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. We have come to associate the term groundbreaking with any initiating activity or thing characterized by originality and innovation. For instance, we often hear about groundbreaking technologies – those applications of technology that nobody has thought about before.
The e-pioneer is a groundbreaker.
One aspect of the groundbreaking is finding technologies relevant for the classroom. A far greater task is clearing the field – removing the obstacles that may prevent teachers from adopting technology.
Deep-rooted views and practices may prevail. An attitude of, “I managed all the years without technology,” is difficult to uproot. It requires skill and patience to change the way some people think.
Rocklike obstacles come in many forms, such as unstable technology, poor infrastructure or a lack of funding. From experience you will be able to add to the list of boulders that must be removed before you can establish e-learning as a regular feature in a school.
The groundbreaking e-pioneer endures in the task and rejoices when a crop of technically competent colleagues is reaped.
Click here for more food for thought for e-pioneers.
How can you be a trailblazer?
Monday, March 1st, 2010 | e-Learning pioneers | 5 Comments
The e-pioneer is a trailblazer.
The explorer makes the discovery; the pathfinder maps out the road for others to follow; the trailblazer ensures that the road is recognizable.
What is a trailblazer?
The “blaze” part of the word has nothing to do with fire. A white spot on the forehead of a horse or any other animal is called a blaze (Afrikaans: bles). The word is also used to refer to the white mark left on a tree trunk when a piece of bark is chipped off. A clear, visible and permanent trail is created when trees are blazed at regular intervals on a route.
A trailblazer is therefore one who blazes a permanent trail.
Can you see why an e-pioneer is a trailblazer?
Once you’ve discovered a technology route for others, it is sometimes difficult to communicate this information to them, particularly if they do not have a technology background. You have to make things very clear and set progressive targets for them. Blaze – make explicit – the first step; once this objective is reached, show them the next step of the way; carry on in this fashion until they are comfortable following the mapped road.
You are the pioneer – you’ve found the path. But others will not follow it unless it is clearly charted for them. Don’t assume they will know how to proceed. They won’t. Blaze a visible trail to help them find their way through the bewildering technology forest.
Click here for more food for thought for e-pioneers.
Are you a pathfinder?
Sunday, February 28th, 2010 | e-Learning pioneers | No Comments
The e-pioneer is a pathfinder.
A pathfinder finds paths where none existed before. An explorer does very much the same but there is a difference.
A sense of adventure – a hunger to experience new things – motivates the explorer to discover new avenues.
The pathfinder explores new routes and establishes a clearly marked path for others to follow.
A pioneer is both an explorer and a pathfinder, finding personal fulfilment through discovery and creating a roadmap for others.
As an e-pioneer you must not only be an explorer – you must also be a pathfinder.
During the Second World War, some British Royal Air Force pilots were asked to fly over enemy territories, identifying appropriate targets and then dropping coloured flares so that the heavy bombers had aiming points and the ground forces knew where to attack. These pilots were known as Pathfinders.
Imagine you’re hovering over the confusing labyrinth of technology. Your colleagues are bewildered and hesitant to enter the maze. But with your basic understanding of technology, your natural curiosity about cyberspace, your understanding of educational needs and your desire to help others, you’re exploring new technologies that have the potential for improving teaching and learning. When you discover anything useful you mark it clearly. In this way you’re building a roadmap for those who are hesitant to enter the world of technology.
An e-pioneer enjoys the discovery process – and enjoys the satisfaction of showing others the way.
Click here for more food for thought for e-pioneers.
Have you ever thought of yourself as an explorer?
Saturday, February 27th, 2010 | e-Learning pioneers, technology | 4 Comments
The e-pioneer is an explorer.
There are few places on earth left to explore and so people have moved on to space exploration. As an e-pioneer you can explore cyberspace – the rapid progress of technology opens up vast tracts of discovery to you.
In the spirit of a true pioneer you need courage to test existing boundaries. You must be prepared to leave your comfort zone when you venture into unknown worlds. An explorer wants more out of life than what currently exists, and is willing to make sacrifices to achieve this.
Why would you do this? Explorers such as Christopher Columbus travelled for the purpose of discovery and adventure. The ecstasy of conquest, the promise of wealth and the feeling of accomplishment were some of their driving forces.
An e-pioneer can experience the same thrills:
The discoveries you’ll make will be just as exciting as those of a space traveller.
A feeling of conquest will delight you when you achieve higher levels of technical competency.
Wealth may not always come to you in material form – not all of us are Shuttleworths – but your mind will certainly be enriched.
You will be left with a feeling of accomplishment when you’re able to lead your community to discover new vistas.
Whether you’re an explorer of the planet, space, or cyberspace, your travels will have a profound effect on you – your horizons will become much broader.
Click here for more food for thought for e-pioneers.
We don’t need no education
Thursday, February 25th, 2010 | education | 2 Comments
If you were old enough to listen to pop music in the late seventies, you will recall Pink Floyd’s song “Another Brick In The Wall”. Do you remember the line: “We don’t need no education”?
I was painfully reminded of this line earlier this week.
During a dinner hosted by the convenors of an international conference for senior educators in Cape Town on Tuesday night, a choir of one of the local disadvantaged schools provided pre-dinner entertainment. And were those kids good! The performance was world class – even more remarkable if you consider that none of the learners received formal music training.
I truly enjoyed the performance.
For some of the items keyboard accompaniment was provided by a pianist who can not read music – he plays by ear – but he was so good that one could hardly tell. The a cappella numbers sent chills down my spine – the voices, the harmonies, the musical quality, everything was just so good.
Sadly, there was one false note.
No, not in the music – but in the speech of the choir master, echoed by one of the choir members who also read a brief speech. While giving some background information about the school and the choir, the point was made that when learners can make such good music education authorities should not fault the school for a lack of academic performance (my interpretation of what was said). Both speakers said that not all learners are good in maths, science and technology – but when they excell in the arts, learning other things is of less importance.
If I can do a retake of Tuesday night, what would I do differently? At the end of each item, I joined the audience in applause. After one particularly moving number I joined in a standing ovation. Would I do it again? Yes, I think I would – one must give credit where credit is due.
But I believe that I’ve neglected my duty by not objecting to the suggestion that education in a school is not all that important. As an audience, we were guilty in condoning a wrong message being given in the presence of a group of learners who are coming from a school that does not have a proud record of academic achievement.
We could have booed the speakers! Music lovers do that when a performer does not meet their expectations. Why didn’t we boo the choir master? Perhaps we were enchanted by the singing of the learners – more likely, we were just too polite. But we should be able to draw a clear line between civility and tacit acceptance of a damaging message.
We can’t turn back the clock. We can’t undo Tuesday nigh. And it’s no use crying over spilt milk. But we can learn from the experience.
In public or in private – will we have the courage to protect our learners against negative influences?
Ironically, those who say “we don’t need no education” mean the opposite of what they’re actually saying. Who says we need no education!
Who is an e-pioneer?
Thursday, February 25th, 2010 | e-Learning pioneers | 4 Comments
Anyone who actively promotes e-learning and the use of e-tools is an e-pioneer.
Are you a school principal? Do your best to be an e-pioneer. Even if you’re not completely e-literate, you can still take the lead in your school by encouraging your staff to make optimal use of available technology.
If you are a teacher who embraced technology as a teaching tool and are now encouraging your colleagues to do the same, you are an e-pioneer. You may be known as a computer champion, or network administrator, or computer boffin – whatever name you’re given, you can spearhead the cause of technology in your school.
There is no reason why there must be only one e-pioneer in a school – the more the merrier. There are many learners in your school who need your guidance.
Education department officials who are e-pioneers are invaluable! If you hold a post as director, curriculum advisor or planner, team leader, or technology integration facilitator, your lead in e-matters is crucial.
Who is an e-pioneer? When you promote e-learning and the use of e-tools in your environment, you are one!
Click here for food for thought for e-pioneers.
e-mail, e-book, e-learning …. e- pioneer
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 | e-Learning pioneers | 4 Comments
What is the correct way to refer to electronic mail in writing? Is it eMail, email, e-mail or electronic mail?
It seems as if most dictionaries, publishers and writers have standardized on e-mail. The same is true of e-book, e-learning, e-literate, e-commerce and any other e-thingy.
Don’t forget the hyphen (-). Get into the habit of using it when you write reports or e-mails.
Dear John,
Thank you for your prompt response to my e-mail …
In view of this convention in writing, I believe it will be in order to talk about an e-pioneer – using the term e-learning pioneer seems so long-winded. And perhaps e-pioneer is a more apt term to describe those people who go into schools to encourage the use of digital resources, including e-books and e-mail - their work is not only about e-learning.
Viva, all e-pioneers.