Readiness

Ready 4 what?

Ready 4 what?

As a teacher and parent, I’m constantly reminded that children learn at different rates. Sometimes, it’s an issue of what is developmentally appropriate and, other times, it’s about their readiness. For some kids, there are occasions when they simply are not ready to learn something new. It might be due to some current event in their lives or whether they had breakfast that morning… whatever the case, it’s my job to help them get to that stage of being ready to learn.

Repeat after me: I cannot force readiness.

[cc licensed photo by kevindooley]

Now I want to transfer this same concept to adult learning, and in this case, professional growth of educators, specifically in the areas of ed reform, social media, and other web tools.

There are many, and I would include myself, who are considered early adopters in the above areas. We clamor for change NOW and reform NOW. For years, we’ve been using certain tools that some people are only now discovering. For example, I started blogging over seven years ago. There are quite a few people who have been blogging for much longer than I have. When a new tool comes around, I’m usually hopping on that bandwagon to see what it’s about, does it provide value to me, and will I continue to use it. It’s in my nature to tinker around with something that interests me. Sometimes, I get impatient that change doesn’t happy quickly enough for my tastes.

Because I’m an early adopter in these areas, it might be easy for me to then complain about the “glacial pace” of other educators when it comes to learning about new ideas, new tools, and making real changes in education. Come on! I’ve been doing this for almost a decade… get a move on! Maybe I would express my frustration about the perceived banal chatter or echo chamber mentality regarding topics that I’ve already been discussing with my networks for years.

But that would be extremely hypocritical of me. If there are children who, for one reason or another, are not ready to learn a concept or skill, it’s my job to help them move along and get to that place where they are ready.

So… shouldn’t I also be accepting of other educators who have not quite reached that state of readiness? Shouldn’t I continue to offer my assistance, perhaps in the form of webinars or online opportunities, to help fellow educators learn about those things that are new to them, even if they’re not necessarily new to me? What about brand new educators? What if they were not exposed to any of these things in their teacher education? How will they find new ideas? Where will they receive options to extend their own professional growth?

The answer is the same as it was with the children: I cannot force readiness. I can only do what I can to help others move to that next step in their own growth. Peer coach. Offer suggestions. Offer assistance. Show real examples of how using these tools or participating in something like an Elluminate session on a Saturday helps me to learn more.

Being an educator and early adopter doesn’t mean I get to a point where I get to dictate where the rest of the world “should” be. Nor does it mean I should look down my nose at those who are still offering discussions and PD sessions about things I might already know.

When I teach other adults about web tools and networks, I constantly bring up the fact that you use those tools which offer value to YOU. If you’ve used a tool for a while, and it no longer has value for you… it’s okay to stop using that tool. Even if many other people are just discovering it, you don’t have to use that tool.

While you’re making those decisions about what holds value for you, please try to remember that others will have different needs and will value different things. They will be at different stages of readiness… and that’s okay. I’ve found that it’s easier to bring people along with you when you don’t treat them like n00bs.

8 thoughts on “Readiness

  1. Michelle,

    First comment…your ending was great!

    Second comment…I think you bring up some excellent points here. I would still consider myself to be a newbie when it comes to social media (blogging, Twitter, etc…) because I have only been participating for about 6 months. Even though you are way ahead of me, I am considered to be ultra advanced at my “typical suburban” high school. This really highlights how social media (in an educational setting) is still in its infancy when it comes to being utilized educationally. When educators are not ready for social media or at different levels (which is perfectly ok), we should be patient and helpful. We can’t force anything and our goal should be to share and help others…on their time when they are ready. A little persuasion and encouragement are fine, but it doesn’t help anyone if we try forcing it.

    Great post here – great for PD people!

    • Thanks, Justin. I usually consider myself a pretty impatient person when it comes to wanting to move forward, but you’re absolutely right. We definitely need to help others get ready for change through encouragement!

  2. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Michelle Baldwin and Michelle Baldwin, Justin Tarte. Justin Tarte said: Just left a comment – gr8 post for PD – RT @michellek107: Patience with your colleagues…Readiness http://bit.ly/efzi0I #edchat #cpchat […]

  3. Great post, Michelle! That is a great saying to repeat over and over again with teachers and students. It’s important to remember our experiences are not the same as others’. We all learn from each other.

    Thanks for the great reflection!

  4. Fantastic post! We aren’t all ready at the same time at any age. Readiness cannot be forced. We need to remember this more often. I have been guilty of forcing readiness.

  5. Hi Michelle,
    I’m in Josh’s Social Learning class and added your blog to my new Google Reader. Well, I read this post and then found the video below by accident and just thought you would love it! Here ya go!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa9DLxDtPtc
    Sarah

    • Thanks for sharing that video, Sarah! Hilarious… but also so true. We’re all at our own stages, and sometimes it’s very frustrating when others aren’t exactly with us at the same stage. Thanks for adding me to your reader!

  6. Michelle,
    I love this post! You are an excellent writer and have hit on something very important in the crux of PD in both students & teachers alike. I really appreciated your perspective. Thanks for sharing this with me. This was very well done!

    Brent Catlett
    @catlett1

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