The e-pioneer leads by example.
When e-pioneers feel they are not reaching the hearts and minds of teachers, they should first examine whether they themselves are practising what they are preaching. Aesop’s fable of the crab and her son drives the point home:
A Crab said to her son: “Why do you walk so one-sided, my child? It is far more becoming to go straight forward.”
The young Crab replied: “Quite true, dear Mother; and if you will show me the straight way, I will promise to walk in it.”
The Mother tried in vain, and submitted without remonstrance to the reproof of her child.
The moral of the story is that example is more powerful than instruction.
One way in which an e-pioneer can set a good example is in the manner of communication. Perhaps teachers are reluctant to use e-mail. There is no better way to encourage them to use this form of communication than using it yourself! Principals who stopped sending out notices and instructions on paper and used e-mail instead have found this an excellent way of motivating teachers to adopt this mode of communication.
The e-pioneer never has the attitude of “do what I say; not what I do”. Leading by example is the best way to make sure others are following.
Click here for more food for thought for e-pioneers.
We just have to follow the example set for us. Thanks for the reminder, Kobus.
I have encountered that educators do use ICT-not just the way we may want them to use it. E-mail, Facebook, Internet Banking and searching for info that pertains to what they perceive to be of value (using Google)…..and admin. The issue is not necessarily to prevent people of using these all of the above, but rather to get them to use it in an educational sense (except for the Internet Banking thing). Moreover, the learners should get supervised access of ICT facilities.Social networking is an excellent tool in the educational field. How about a staff creating a small network on Twitter which allows people to tweet short messages up 140 characters on any school issue? Messages are short and tweet…oops sweet.
ICT should not create a barrier or distance, rather it should bring people closer and remove hurdles.
Setting the example in a such a manner that will not “upset” the follower, is the “straight” forward way to go.
Albie the Father Crab