Comments on: Why My Colleagues Think I’m Weird http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2008/08/14/why-my-colleagues-think-im-weird/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:39:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Lee http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2008/08/14/why-my-colleagues-think-im-weird/comment-page-1/#comment-13871 Lee Sun, 31 Aug 2008 01:32:11 +0000 http://gwegner.edublogs.org/?p=615#comment-13871 I really like your blog! Keep up the good work. Check this out: http://theinfluentialteacher.com I really like your blog! Keep up the good work.

Check this out:

http://theinfluentialteacher.com

]]> By: Bryan McDonald http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2008/08/14/why-my-colleagues-think-im-weird/comment-page-1/#comment-13845 Bryan McDonald Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:52:26 +0000 http://gwegner.edublogs.org/?p=615#comment-13845 Very nice...agree with everything...even my wife makes fun of the "USB-lace" as she calls it! Enjoy reading your blog! Very nice…agree with everything…even my wife makes fun of the “USB-lace” as she calls it! Enjoy reading your blog!

]]> By: laurenjogrady http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2008/08/14/why-my-colleagues-think-im-weird/comment-page-1/#comment-13843 laurenjogrady Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:49:05 +0000 http://gwegner.edublogs.org/?p=615#comment-13843 Graham, I sometimes tell teachers I sit in a flashmeeting on a Sunday and talk about education and they loook at me like I have two heads. I love the way yourself and others speak at conferences it is refreshing to all the other self promoters out there pedalling things that were innovative in the 90's. I think that it is when these quiet voices like yours and dean's and Jess McCulloch's get out there that we may see a reinvention of parts of the wheel. I can't wait Graham,
I sometimes tell teachers I sit in a flashmeeting on a Sunday and talk about education and they loook at me like I have two heads. I love the way yourself and others speak at conferences it is refreshing to all the other self promoters out there pedalling things that were innovative in the 90′s. I think that it is when these quiet voices like yours and dean’s and Jess McCulloch’s get out there that we may see a reinvention of parts of the wheel.
I can’t wait

]]> By: Graham Wegner http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2008/08/14/why-my-colleagues-think-im-weird/comment-page-1/#comment-13842 Graham Wegner Sun, 17 Aug 2008 11:42:31 +0000 http://gwegner.edublogs.org/?p=615#comment-13842 @dean I hope that in no way am I portraying you as a weirdo. That label is only a ficitional one placed on myself from my perceived viewpoint of my reluctant staff members. The more I read your stuff on the web, the more inclined I am to view you as one of the authorative voices in Australia on the potential of read/write classrooms and contemporary student learning. @sarah The fact that we learn from each other from vastly differing corners of the education world is testament that this "weirdness" works and yes, I agree 100% - I am definitely not wasting my time here either. @dean I hope that in no way am I portraying you as a weirdo. That label is only a ficitional one placed on myself from my perceived viewpoint of my reluctant staff members. The more I read your stuff on the web, the more inclined I am to view you as one of the authorative voices in Australia on the potential of read/write classrooms and contemporary student learning.
@sarah The fact that we learn from each other from vastly differing corners of the education world is testament that this “weirdness” works and yes, I agree 100% – I am definitely not wasting my time here either.

]]> By: Sarah Stewart http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2008/08/14/why-my-colleagues-think-im-weird/comment-page-1/#comment-13839 Sarah Stewart Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:24:53 +0000 http://gwegner.edublogs.org/?p=615#comment-13839 Hi Graham and Dean, thanks for the post which I found very interesting. My own experience has been mixed. On the one hand I am sure people have regarded me as odd-ball. On the other hand, my colleagues are beginning to utilize more technology in their teaching and starting to think outside the square. But I am finding that it only gets to a point - there's a reluctance to fully engage because of a continuing skepticism, and I'd say a fear (just my impression) of where it will lead them, or a fear of the 'cost' in terms of time and goodness knows what else. But whatever they think, I do not believe I am wasting my time one bit. Hi Graham and Dean, thanks for the post which I found very interesting. My own experience has been mixed. On the one hand I am sure people have regarded me as odd-ball. On the other hand, my colleagues are beginning to utilize more technology in their teaching and starting to think outside the square. But I am finding that it only gets to a point – there’s a reluctance to fully engage because of a continuing skepticism, and I’d say a fear (just my impression) of where it will lead them, or a fear of the ‘cost’ in terms of time and goodness knows what else. But whatever they think, I do not believe I am wasting my time one bit.

]]> By: Dean Groom http://gwegner.edublogs.org/2008/08/14/why-my-colleagues-think-im-weird/comment-page-1/#comment-13834 Dean Groom Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:14:41 +0000 http://gwegner.edublogs.org/?p=615#comment-13834 Mmmm, Graham, not sure I'm a benchmark for being weird, but anyone who decides that this is important enough to put themselves in the line of fire has to be absolutely steadfast that set backs are really mile-stones. I read Lehmann's post talking about the choice that a teacher has is using ICT (which is not the same as going to the computer room) - that we each face difficult choices - we can take the easy option each day, or the diligent one which often requires significantly more more. He goes on to say that no matter which one you choose - that choice gets easier each time you make it. You have to experiment, you have to push people (gently), but mostly you have to emit energy so that others will let you into their classrooms. It is only then that you can effect change - by modeling new pedagogy, rethinking EdTech use, motivating kids and supporting staff. If you get it right, they get your virus, and after a while, let go of your hand and keep on running. I really think that putting yourself our there, actually draws fire from all those who's teaching methods are based in the past - and allows those you are infecting (in a nice way) to shine and re-engage kids with EdTech. I'm happy for them to be low profile in doing this, as the last thing they need is to cop some of the crap. Realistically, it's taken me 3 years to get to the point where the EdTech difference is in sufficient places that we can point to some very powerful learning activities, it will take at least another year before I would dare to think that the balance has tipped. Keep on doing what you're doing. You blog was one of the first I ever read way back when ... so I have a lot to say thanks for ... but I'm not weird honest. My natural autism does help .... onya! Mmmm, Graham, not sure I’m a benchmark for being weird, but anyone who decides that this is important enough to put themselves in the line of fire has to be absolutely steadfast that set backs are really mile-stones. I read Lehmann’s post talking about the choice that a teacher has is using ICT (which is not the same as going to the computer room) – that we each face difficult choices – we can take the easy option each day, or the diligent one which often requires significantly more more. He goes on to say that no matter which one you choose – that choice gets easier each time you make it.

You have to experiment, you have to push people (gently), but mostly you have to emit energy so that others will let you into their classrooms. It is only then that you can effect change – by modeling new pedagogy, rethinking EdTech use, motivating kids and supporting staff. If you get it right, they get your virus, and after a while, let go of your hand and keep on running.

I really think that putting yourself our there, actually draws fire from all those who’s teaching methods are based in the past – and allows those you are infecting (in a nice way) to shine and re-engage kids with EdTech. I’m happy for them to be low profile in doing this, as the last thing they need is to cop some of the crap. Realistically, it’s taken me 3 years to get to the point where the EdTech difference is in sufficient places that we can point to some very powerful learning activities, it will take at least another year before I would dare to think that the balance has tipped. Keep on doing what you’re doing. You blog was one of the first I ever read way back when … so I have a lot to say thanks for … but I’m not weird honest. My natural autism does help …. onya!

]]>