Why Did You Stop (Using Technology)?

Add a Comment

10 Comments

Comment by Michael McVey on February 13, 2008 at 9:15pm

Please use the video as you wish.

Comment by Rita Hughes on February 13, 2008 at 2:11pm

Thanks for your story--it has certainly created a number of questions in my mind about teaching tech to teachers--and when we stop supporting their efforts, whether it's a lack of funding, indifference, or lack of PD time, they stop using the tools! It's a pattern I see.
I, too, would like to share your video.
Thanks!

Comment by Michael McVey on February 11, 2008 at 8:55am

Michael's Implementation Dip reminds me of the Gartner Group's "trough of disillusionment" which immediately follows the "peak of high expectations." Of course, if you stick with it, you will eventually rise to the "Plateau of productivity."

Perhaps we should think of failure as a subset of success, meaning that one aspect of success is the occasional failure.

Comment by Marion Ginopolis on February 11, 2008 at 7:17am

Michael,
Terrific video!! In an effort to get a little dialogue going here, I'd like to share some thoughts I had about the context/theme of the video. When you say that knowing why people stop can be “instructive,” is the assumption here that if we study failure we will be able to determine success? In other words, if we examine the reasons people stop using technology we will be able to turn those around to determine ways to get people to use technology. I am of the mind-set that the opposite of failure is not success. If we want to replicate successful initiatives, we have to study success and identify the elements that made them so. Your thoughts?
--Marion Ginopolis
p.s. Your story reminded me of what Michael Fullan refers to as the Implementation Dip- http://www.michaelfullan.ca/Articles_02/03_02.pdf when things get tough we abandon what could be a successful initiative- something we, unfortunately, are famous for as educators :-)

Comment by Michael McVey on February 7, 2008 at 10:15pm

By the way, I believe we met at the Macomb Conf. You have your work cut out and you seem to be making headway.

Comment by Michael McVey on February 7, 2008 at 10:13pm

You want the avi/mp4 or a print version of the story? Either way, it is yours to use.

Comment by Bruce Umpstead on February 7, 2008 at 9:32pm

Michael,

Thanks for your insightful, thought provoking digital story. Too many times we overlook the effort teachers put in to trying something new.

But I wonder if your loss is our gain. Your experience provides us with a valuable lesson in motivating and training teachers in using technology. We have to affirm attempts a something new.

Could I get a copy of your story to share with Supts/administrators as I go around promoting ed tech?

Thanks, Bruce

Comment by Michael McVey on January 26, 2008 at 2:18pm

You are working at a valuable project for your students and for your own personal and professional development. In the end, I moved from one project to another. But that experience of hitting the wall with my Principal made me wonder how many others don't begin projects where they will risk rejection by putting themselves out to public scrutiny. We are practitioners in an oddly isolated profession.

Comment by John Nugent on January 26, 2008 at 2:00pm

oh wait... I forgot the shameless plug http://www.lcsradio.com

Comment by John Nugent on January 26, 2008 at 1:58pm

Michael,
It's to bad you quit publishing. However, I do understand your frustration. I run an after school Internet Radio/Podcasting club. There are times when I feel no one is listening, or find students who dont know about our site after two years. The key is to focus on the students or educators who do enjoy the podcasts or Newsletters. In my case, just watching the kids learn as we produce material makes it worth my time. Also, learning and understanding the technology being used is important. There were times when I almost gave up because I found it frustrating not understanding the technology. Technology has just begun to be user friendly for Everyone! Thanks for the video!