It is true that groups get so “entrenched” in their own way of thinking and doing things that they are not able to collaborate or see past their own interests. Isn’t this the way of mankind – to be “me” minded instead of “others” minded? God created us to be social beings – with the desire that we work together… in love. 🙂 Enjoy writing your research prospectus!
Being in the same group I am very aware of where you are coming from on this project. I do like you approach, and the way you articulate our position and concerns with the disparity between key players in education, and technology integration. It is always a good aproach to try to bring people together.
I think that our topic for this project is very interesting and I have learned a great deal about cultural barriers and how these barriers effect educational personnel and the educational field as a whole. I do agree 100% that professional development sessions should be more joint because we often do get in a “mold” and don’t really understand other educational groups. For example, as a 3rd year teacher I don’t have much experience with having encounters with the special educational personnel at my school or the IT staff. Therefore it’s not practical that I would be able to observe other personnel, as I would like, therefore it may be best if I was to become more familiar with these educational forms through collaborative professional development sessions. We do have PD’s at my school but they seem to be geared towards the general education courses.
Matthew ~
Competing interests are very real in special education verses general education. Where technology does deserve consideration and interests do seem to get entrenched as you state, the competing interest on which classroom gets the technology first has fogged the minds of many educators even in my area. At the beginning of the 2012 school year, our K classrooms received SmartBoards. Every other classroom was upset as to why they were chosen first. Three weeks ago, special education classrooms received seven iPads each for integration and enhanced learning. Oh my goodness…why them first? Each classroom is more worried about why one classroom was chosen over the next. The competing interest of why administration choses one should not be the factor at all. In fact, if educators worried more about the learning environment and how to be creative, we wouldn’t even be blogging on this subject. Great post, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and God Bless you as you continue on with your studies.
Blessings ~ Ruth Sholes
Pride has been buried in the human soul from the onset. Unfortunately, educators are not immune to the influence of pride. We each see our niche as the most important, or we would not be involved in it. The key for the success of individual students as well as the entire student body is for faculty and staff to get together more frequently and discuss what is happening without the pride. Dispassionate discourse will advance the cause.
Merry Christmas, HNY, Have fun with your next class!
Ozolnieks 
It is true that groups get so “entrenched” in their own way of thinking and doing things that they are not able to collaborate or see past their own interests. Isn’t this the way of mankind – to be “me” minded instead of “others” minded? God created us to be social beings – with the desire that we work together… in love. 🙂 Enjoy writing your research prospectus!
Being in the same group I am very aware of where you are coming from on this project. I do like you approach, and the way you articulate our position and concerns with the disparity between key players in education, and technology integration. It is always a good aproach to try to bring people together.
I think that our topic for this project is very interesting and I have learned a great deal about cultural barriers and how these barriers effect educational personnel and the educational field as a whole. I do agree 100% that professional development sessions should be more joint because we often do get in a “mold” and don’t really understand other educational groups. For example, as a 3rd year teacher I don’t have much experience with having encounters with the special educational personnel at my school or the IT staff. Therefore it’s not practical that I would be able to observe other personnel, as I would like, therefore it may be best if I was to become more familiar with these educational forms through collaborative professional development sessions. We do have PD’s at my school but they seem to be geared towards the general education courses.
Matthew ~
Competing interests are very real in special education verses general education. Where technology does deserve consideration and interests do seem to get entrenched as you state, the competing interest on which classroom gets the technology first has fogged the minds of many educators even in my area. At the beginning of the 2012 school year, our K classrooms received SmartBoards. Every other classroom was upset as to why they were chosen first. Three weeks ago, special education classrooms received seven iPads each for integration and enhanced learning. Oh my goodness…why them first? Each classroom is more worried about why one classroom was chosen over the next. The competing interest of why administration choses one should not be the factor at all. In fact, if educators worried more about the learning environment and how to be creative, we wouldn’t even be blogging on this subject. Great post, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and God Bless you as you continue on with your studies.
Blessings ~ Ruth Sholes
Ruth,
Pride has been buried in the human soul from the onset. Unfortunately, educators are not immune to the influence of pride. We each see our niche as the most important, or we would not be involved in it. The key for the success of individual students as well as the entire student body is for faculty and staff to get together more frequently and discuss what is happening without the pride. Dispassionate discourse will advance the cause.
Merry Christmas, HNY, Have fun with your next class!
Matt