managing technological change: meeting the challenge

what technology?

hardware IWBs; computers and projectors in classrooms, multimedia room and teachers room; handheld devices, laptops, smart phones software Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) Google Docs (Drive, Calendar, iGoogle) digital course material (iPacks, CDROMs) internet (Youtube, Vimeo) online applications (Dropbox, Vox, Box) online campus (Macmillan Campus, Moodle) online resources (Wikipedia, Word reference) webpages (BBC learning English, Listen a Minute) blogs (Tefltecher, Film English, Lesson Streaming) email (Hotmail, Gmail, Institutional emails) social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Ning, Wiki)

Cartoon by Dave Walker.

what changes? (apart from technological innovations) teaching culture new activities, methodology, collaboration, perceptions, interest and motivation, CPD, new personal and professional skill sets, technological democracy, lack of fear, flexibility

management culture communication, explicit strategy, supportive institutional climate, freedom to experiment, learning organisation, openmindedness, bottom-up initiatives, continual alignment of vision, flexibility

why bother? part of mission statement or strategic plan of the centre technology is in the real world keeps centre in touch with reality improves quality of service increases learning potential provides solutions revitalisation new skills professional opportinities empowerment freedom motivation vision of the future Cartoon by Inkcinct means to an end, not the end in itself

whats the plan then?

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

long term vision of the centre key techno-savvy teachers (guides) project leader(s) draw up project plan (SMART objectives) communicate plan bring teachers on board (empower) implement training & actions feedback consolidate short term gains tweak plan (as often as necessary) repeat steps 7, 8, 9 & 10 measure success (statistics) technology normalised (new culture created)

what did we do?

strategic plan & mission statement

We offer quality teaching using a communicative approach whilst innovating, researching and continually improving our methodology.

Cartoon by Hikingartist

project proposals

training

get feedback (Surveymonkey)

consolidate - teachers guide, job plan

new actions creation of teachers social network

new actions - creation of teachers wiki

what could go wrong? anxiety, stress & resistance complexity lack of information training inadequate time lag in system bar too high lack of communication mindless implementation technical glitches low usage vs. unexpected usage perception of use vs. reality of use trying to use all technology at once misconceived expectations memory loss
Cartoon by Hugh MacLeod

what makes the project succeed? (1) simplicity & clarity sufficient resources learning stage clear advantages small successes keep momemtum open door policy personalisation tolerance of failure acceptance of initiatives lead the way but allow for deviation followers fans converts proselytisers luddites accept them! lurkers embrace them!

Cartoon by Dave Walker.

what makes the project succeed? (2) training formal informal peer coaching 70% / 20% / 10% back to basics hands on sessions internal vs. external ongoing set training goals the webmaster is dead, long live the collaborative worker!

Cartoon by Geek and Poke

how do we know if change has happened?

hold a conference or two

successful blogs

A couple of books on Change Management:

Our Iceberg is melting : Changing and succeeding under any conditions - John Kotter Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard - Chip and Dan Heath