Question: Identify yourself in one of the five categories of innovators. Provide examples to substantiate your self categorization.
After hearing the podcast for this week, I would have to categorize myself in the majority group of "early majority." There are definite individuals in our college that I can identify as innovators and there are people who I know would fall under early adopters. I am not one of them. But I do find myself more cautious about adopting a new idea or innovation when it comes to teaching techniques. I often consider and think about what the students' reactions will be regarding the new ideas. I usually wait until I have observed other teachers using the ideas or innovations before I will attempt them myself. An example is the MyMathLab program. At first, I thought it would be more difficult to teach with computer problems on a computer screen. But after trying it out for myself and one semester of teaching it, I would prefer this method of teaching rather than the traditional method of a standard textbook.
There is one individual at my college who I respect their opinion about new ideas and innovations. Usually, I will talk to this person and ask him about the pros and cons with using the new ideas in the classroom and get his opinion. I believe he is a very honest person who will tell me whether an idea is working with the students or it is something that is a complete waste of their time.
I would not find myself in the late majority because I am not resistant to change. I know of many teachers who fall under this category and believe that we should still be teaching using only textbooks and chalkboards! But then once a majority of the faculty begin putting the peer pressure of them to change, they decide to go with the flow. I am not resistant to change. And I definitely do not fall under the lagger category.
My activity log for this week is as follows:
Monday, January 29, 2007: Received the response units and brought 42 of them home. I will work on setting up my experimental class to demonstrate project #1.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007: Downloaded and listened to the podcast for this week. Began writing up notes from the lecture.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007: Finished notes for this week. Began writing up blog posting.
Thursday, February 1, 2007: Finished blog posting. I will comment on my classmates postings for this week.
Friday, February 2, 2007: I will work on setting up my experimental class with the PRS software. Computing services is installing the software on my office computer and the computers in the classrooms that I will be teaching in.
Saturday, February 3, 2007: Continue responding and commenting on classmates postings.
Sunday, February 4, 2007: Continue comments on postings. I will run through a sample class session using the PRS software at home before I bring it to class on Monday. Watch the Super Bowl.
My project #1 is going great. I will have the PowerPoint lecture done this weekend. I want to video tape my class using the PRS software as proof of my use of technology in the classroom.
My project #2 hasn't started yet. I did purchase a headset with microphone so that I can record the Camtasia training videos.
My project #3 began with data collection. I am requesting the cost of a classroom set of responders along with data collected from the students who have used the responders from project #1
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9 comments:
Hi James,
I agree with you, teachers need to be cautious when implementing technology because the results can carry a great positive or negative impact. In my case I can try many new technologies and if I fail in my objective I can always try again because my goal is to assist, but teachers do not have this commodity when their main objective is to instruct and test for knowledge, and specially dealing with time constraints.
I posted some CSS information on the comment section of my session 4 blog, hope it can answer some of your questions.
HI James,
I think the best asset for teachers is to know themselves and be honest about their aptitudes, skills and capabilities. You obviously know yourself very well. Your perspective undoubtedly can make you a great educator. You work your aptitudes and skills to improve your students learning experience in the best way possible. Yours is a great perspective.
Good post. You analized yourself well. Now let me ask a question... would others on your campus think of you an an innovator or an early adopter?
Hello James,
You correctly described yourself as belonging to the "Early Majority" group. As an instructor, it is sometimes necessary to adopt such a position; particularly when one is not sure about the technology in question.
You also correctly indicated that you routinelly consult with another teacher you look up to for advice in technology matters. This is good common sense and it is also good, because it minimizes the risk factor when bringing new technology to your students.
We all tend to naturally gravitate to our "level of comfort." Therefore, if this is the level at which you feel technologically comfortable, it is then a good thing; there is nothing worse than trying to portray oneself as all-knowing, for it will back-fire on us sooner or later.
I think others people on my campus would classify me as an early adopter. I have many people come to me to ask questions regarding computers, internet, email, calculators, and software related issues. I don't think they would classify me as an innovator because I do not usually try something on my own; I usually wait until someone else has tried it first and I see that it is successful.
James
Hi James,
Great post, you do seem to fit into that category. I think that teachers need to be cautious also. Sometimes implementing new things can cause problems, but if you don't try it, you'll never know if it is good. Good post though!
Hello James,
I agree about being cautious, however, as with the case of most new technology, it must be tried first. For example, after reading a review how some bit of technology worked for one person, may not be a fit for me.
Hey James! I applaud you in labeling yourself as an early adopter. I think many people want to label themselves as an innovator because of the supposide prestige that may come with that label. But at the same time, I think many people forget the fact that peopl who excercise just that little bit of caution in adopting a new technology, find themselves in a better technological position when it comes to choosing where/when to spend $$$.
James,
I almost wonder if you are not really on the line of being an Early Adopter versus the Early Majority. You do seem to use caution when adopting new technology, but that can be a really wise move for one that does not have a lot of time to correct for a poor judgement. You are motivated and curious enough about technology as well, thus I think you are probably ahead of the majority of your peers. Good posting.
Davena
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