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?