Technology in adult meetings

 

The use of technology in staff meetings and other gatherings of adults automatically seems to be viewed as a negative. When e-mail and other "distractions" are available, won't staff members, like kids, be distracted by default?

I would argue that technology should not only not be banned, but encouraged in meetings and workshops for adults in a school. For a number of reasons:

1. Paperless meetings (with updated information accessible online) can be held*.
2. Collaborative documents, back-channel communications, and other responsive activities can be modeled.
3. People can get actual work done when items on the agenda do not pertain to them.
4. School leaders can demonstrate the same device management techniques (put your device in listening mode), that we expect our teachers in 1:1 programs to display.
5. Devices might encourage meeting leaders to create more interactive, engaging, and meaningful meetings rather than just sit-n-git with read-aloud PowerPoints.

Here's the deal. We as school administrators must be the change we want to see in the world. (Hey, that's pretty good. Think I will write it down.) We have to model good tech use in all situations regarding human interactions - meetings, classes, communications. 

Do you really think that as a teacher, I am going to try to integrated tech in my classroom when encouraged to do so by a principal who uses paper handouts and lectures at staff meetings?

Give me a break.

* OK, why would a state TECHNOLOGY LEADERS meeting still use paper agendas? (Yes, TIES, I'm singling you out.)  If we as tech coordinators don't lead the leaders in our districts on tech use, who will? 

Comments

[Jill Ball (GeniAus)]

Great post, Doug.

I've been retired for nearly five years now and can't believe how many dinosaurs are still around in education.Now involved in local groups who are having difficulty transitioning to the 2st century I share your frustrations.

[Mary Mehsikomer]

Doug:

As a clarification, we provide paper agendas at the TIES Coordinator meetings as a courtesy for Coordinator members who perhaps did not get a chance to look at the electronic version that was sent out and posted in the Coordinator portal for whatever reason.

Electronic communications and efficiency are a priority at TIES. In my experience, we only resort to paper on rare occasions when we want to make sure people have access to the information conveniently and when they need it, when customers request it, or in those cases where it is required for a legal purpose. Generally, TIES coordinator meetings are more or less paperless.

I agree with you that administrators and others need to model good technology practice. I also feel that TIES and school districts staff I encounter generally do model effective technology use. Of course, there is always room for improvement. You might want to raise this issue at the next TIES Coordinator meeting.

Mary

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Jill,

Keep working with local groups. I "converted" our local Kiwanis to electronic newsletters a number of year ago and I don't think there would ever be any going back.

Thanks for the comment,

Doug

Hi Mary,

Very happy to know this. Not having my orientation to TIES and thus being "disoriented", I perhaps spoke too soon.

I would ask when does a "courtesy" become "enabling" when it comes to changing behaviors like this? In ISD77 we now tease people who bring paper copies of agendas instead of their devices. I didn't see too many coordinators without some means of checking Facebook during the meeting ;-)

I am looking forward to raising many issues at coordinators meetings.

All the best,

Doug