A growth mindset for techs

It’s sometimes tough to help people increase their knowledge without making them feel stupid or incompetent, but good teachers do. Phrases like, “My third graders can do that.” “You know it works better when you plug it in.” and “No, the other right arrow.” are not recommended. From the "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Technology Trainers"

Those of us in the technical world are often hired for our technical prowess, not our interpersonal skills (as the old Saturday Night Live sketch above illustrates*) or our teaching skills. What this means is that all of us need to learn about working with "warmware" as well as working with software and hardware.

During the last two bi-weekly meetings of our district technology staff, we have discussed the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset - echoing an initiative begun by our teaching and learning department based on the work of Carol Dweck.

At our first meeting, we introduced the concept by showing the TED Talk by Eduardo Briceño titled "The Power of Belief - Mindset and Success." We then examined our own language that reflected these approaches to challenges.

Given continuous learning nature of technicians, the whole "I don't know - yet" as opposed to "It can't be done" resonated with the group.

During our next meeting, we focus on how should we respond when hearing a "fixed mindset" statement from those we serve. "I've just never been good at technology." "I don't have time to learn this." "It never works." Adding a little humor (and perhaps some venting), we listed a few common fixed mindset statements we often hear, then composed a "inappropriate" response and an "appropriate" response.

For example, a common fixed mindset statement we often hear from others in our schools is "I'm just not good with technology!" An inappropriate response (plus those in the opening quote), might be "Then just what ARE you good at?" An appropriate response might be, "Technology can be confusing, but perhaps I can show you how to fix this problem in the future. I know you can do it!"

Being a teacher is not a part of most technicians' formal job description, but I would guess that not a day goes by that techs don't try to help those they serve become more self-sufficient and competent tech users by teaching simple processes and solutions.

And like all teachers, a personal growth mindset is imperative if we want others to exhibit it as well.

And we all plan to strike "MOOOOOVE!" from our vocabularies.

* Here's a full Nick the Computer Guy sketch - caution, rather rude

Comments

[Alexis Taite]

Hello Mr. Johnson,
My name is Alexis I am a education major at the University of South Alabama. I believe it can be difficult for a technician to assist someone who has a closed mindset when it comes to doing things with technology. However, not all individuals are interested in learning how to use technology or they are use to someone just doing it for them. I think technicians should encourage people to become technologically advanced. For example, the video in your blog post shows a technician who is frustrated and just tells the lady to move. This was not a very productive way of handling the situation. I believe he should have been patient and went through the process step by step on how to solve the problem. Then, the next time she had the same issue she would know how to fix it herself. Teaching is not just something that is limited to school. Everywhere around us there is something new to be learned. So, for jobs like a technician I believe they should be open to teaching others how to solve their own problems.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Alexis,

Thanks for reading and commenting. Good luck with your studies. We need people with growth mindsets in education!

Doug​

[Julie Brink]

Doug- This SNL skit is a go to for me! I still get a laugh out of it because it is so true!! However, you are right on about the need for change approaching others who feel they are "no good at tech." I think people become nervous or say that because they feel so left behind. Tech can do that to all of us. There is so much trial and error which can be very frustrating at times. We have to be really cognizant of this. One helpful way would be to train the IT dept. to do just that train others! Once they come in and fix a problem, they could show that person how they fixed it. Or tell them, if it happens again, here is what you do! That would really help me! We are in the business of constantly learning!

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Julie,

Thanks for your observations. Training others instead of doing something oneself is a new role for most techs. It will take time and practice to make the shift.

Doug