Best Friend May Not Be Dog

Steve Hargadon is my new Best Tech Friend. Last week it was Richard Buckland. Before that, it was Todd Conaway. I’m very fickle.

Hargadon’s gleanings from his experience as an accidental presenter were so filled with wisdom, I just have to make note of those that really came off the page (or screen) for me, mainly because they are true for life, not just teaching with web tools:

· Humility of purpose – we must be able to let go of authority.
· If things turn out differently than you planned, you have to be able to move on or morph.
· Our job is not as much to define what is talked about, but to help conversation to take place.
· If you don’t provide an environment where others can function and be seen as leaders, they will go somewhere they can.
· Some of us are inherently collaborative.
· Be transparent and authentic.

Hargadon’s comments on the importance of early adopters (EA’s) to the success of a network are true of all subjects. Teachers have always known that student buy-in is key, and that getting the class leaders to buy-in up front makes selling an activity, project, concept or assignment a whole lot easier. I believe the arts are a powerful avenue for teaching multi-culturalism and tolerance. When we study how and why people of other countries and cultures create their art and music, and the traditions attached to them, we go away with a better understanding of the people themselves. But how do you get a fifth grade class to unleash their self-consciousness and ‘tween coolness to participate in a lesson on Israeli folk dancing? You invite the kids who are the best hip-hop dancers with the best moonwalk to stay after school and learn the dances in advance of the rest of the class. They become the early adopters. Once they realize they’re having fun, they bring that enthusiasm to the next class meeting and pretty soon everyone is dancing along with the best dancers in the class. Without their enthusiasm and leadership, the chances of failure are high. It works the same way network users. Identifying and reaching the EA’s is not only important in the classroom, but with one’s co-workers, administrators, parents and community.