Two Steps Back

A few weeks ago I made a presentation to the staff at the high school that I work at. The topic of the presentation was Web 2.0 Tools. It was a short, and casual presentation with the main focus on what things are out there right now. It was a prelude to offering some hour long, one-subject workshops. While we had some really great reactions from some of the teachers I was so disappointed when I found out about what the reaction was in what we call our Faculty Council. The Faculty Council is a a group that meets once per month with the Principal to discuss important issues in the school. They are a group that can create change.

At the Faculy Council meeting following my presentation the topic of technology came up and the reaction was very depressing to me. A few people in the group started discussing how I had wasted their time during a faculty meeting on tools that were worthless to them and that they had no time or desire to use them. That part wasn't very surprising, but what was surprising was that the Principal, the person who asked me to make the presentation, did not address the issue. Instead she listened and nodded her head while they made excuse after excuse of why they shouldn't be held accountable for knowing and using current technology in their classrooms.

I had felt so great about my presentation. It was fun and light and very informative (not just according to me). So I will say again, I can work night and day to educate the staff here about great ways to incorporate technology tools in their curriculum, but until I have like minded administrators, nothing will change. Sniff, sniff.