My recent experience with trying to download and use Google SideWiki was an example of what I have found to be a downside of implementing technology. I made numerous unsuccessful attempts to download the software for Google Sidewiki. After I exhausted my troubleshooting options I was left feeling helpless and frustrated. I had a similar experience working in a group for my Literacy and Technology class when we needed to use software to enable us to work together live. After several attempts to troubleshoot our issues to no avail, I felt helpless and frustrated.
Overall it seems that a person without much technological training has sub-par amounts of options for troubleshooting when technology goes wrong. This is troubling to think about since so much of our world is increasingly relying upon technology to make systems work. My hunch is that when you can’t rely upon intuition and background knowledge to solve technology problems, due to a lack of expertise in a technological application or program, you need to start getting a lot better at being resourceful and finding the experts who can help you when you need them to.
The ability to act resourcefully will seemingly become an increasingly important skill-set for teachers to have as they implement technology in their classrooms.
Tara,
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that the "tekkies" have not tapped into how the human mind works and solves problems. Like you, I find myself clicking several times...sometimes it works, sometimes not. Then I get frustrated...I spent 4 hours putting my picasion slide show together!
In addition to resourcefullness, perseverance will be an important asset for a teacher in the 21st century.
-Doug