When we say the word “plan”, it elicits meaning that implies structure and conformity. When I create a lesson plan, it is understood that I will follow certain steps to meet a desired outcome. I use plans to help deliver objectives and some of these plans have succeeded and some fell flat. The one thing each plan had in common was the environment in which they were delivered. I never considered writing a lesson plan that laid out steps for creating a new learning environment and I’m not talking about teaching a class outside. Educators work within the confines of a class and follow a set of norms created within the confines of a larger institution. The individual who invented the prototype to the iPod did as well. Before I continue, let me say that Apple did not really invent the iPod. This happened in 1979! Kane Kramer, a british inventor, was awarded the patent but could not renew it in time for mp3s to become a reality. Apple finally gave credit to Kramer due to a 2008 patent lawsuit against the company. (Costello, 2013).
Back to the iPod...Apple’s crack team of developers responsible for the iPod blossomed out of Apple’s most stagnant period. Microsoft and PCs were financially spanking Apple. Steve Jobs began changing all of that when he returned to lead the company (leading and running are different). Steve did something only successful leaders do. He transformed the Apple product instead of installing reforms within the structure of the company. When a CEO or Superintendent reforms their practice, it’s due to market shifts but Steve single handedly shifted the market by transforming the way we interface with media. (Yarrow, 2012) This can be a lesson for education leaders...if we have any.
We’ve seen what innovation and creativity do to society. Thank you Bell, Edison, Einstein, Guttenburg, Watt (steam engine)! We couldn’t have done it without you! I bet these creative innovators had a few things in common. They probably had the rare ability to give themselves permission to do what was possible. They also thrived in an environment that offered the essential resources necessary to succeed. Whew! Lucky for them. I like to argue that Beethoven was the Roger Waters or Jimmy Hendrixs of his time and would fit in with the likes of Metallica and Jimmy Page. Although this argument makes my wife, who is a professional violinist red in the face, she reluctantly agrees because he had a piano for his environment and not the electric keyboard or guitar. I’m listening to Beethoven’s 9th symphony and it rocks! I’m getting off topic.
What does all of this have to do with a tech plan? A tech plan is not going to create innovation but it can build an environment that promotes it. As our economy metamorphosises and our society becomes dependent on whatever structure that crops up, our schools remain based in a plan that was designed to poop out assembly line workers. Sony no longer makes walkmans and Kodak no longer makes...anything really. However, we still produce assembly line workers. Why? Our plans are afraid of upsetting someone. The list of innovators included in the previous paragraph probably put a few people in the unemployment line at first. Imagine how many careers were born as their ideas became cultural realities? After referring to the inherent differences transformations have with reforms, Ken Robinson points out the employment plight of the youth and why our education reforms have failed to give them the resources to succeed. (2011)
In conclusion, a tech plan should offer an environment for students to be creative. That’s easy and hard. I can deliver the goods but if an educator and a student thinks that is all that is necessary, they will both fail. Tools must be used properly. The environment must provide for this and the tech plan should offer this to both educators and students. In order to transform how we develop our society (that’s what education does) a tech plan should be a bit psychopathic. in other words, it shouldn’t be afraid to break down a system that is ineffective even if there is a tech specialist that might need to be retrained. If you’re wondering why I used the word, “psychopathic” please listen to this NPR podcast with Jon Ronson about a study of psychopathic tendencies of successful CEOs. (2011)
References:
Costello, S. (2013). Who invented the ipod: The story may end at apple, but it begins in the 1970s. Retrieved from http://ipod.about.com/od/understandingipodmodels/a/invented-ipod.htm
NPR. lA phychopath walks into a room. Can you tell? Podcast. http://www.npr.org/2011/05/21/136462824/a-psychopath-walks-into-a-room-can-you-tell
Robinson, K. (2011). Out of our minds. Chichester, West Sussex: Capstone Publishing Ltd.
Yarow, J. (2012, December 09). How apple really lost its lead in the 80. Business Insider, Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/how-apple-really-lost-its-lead-in-the-80s-2012-12
Back to the iPod...Apple’s crack team of developers responsible for the iPod blossomed out of Apple’s most stagnant period. Microsoft and PCs were financially spanking Apple. Steve Jobs began changing all of that when he returned to lead the company (leading and running are different). Steve did something only successful leaders do. He transformed the Apple product instead of installing reforms within the structure of the company. When a CEO or Superintendent reforms their practice, it’s due to market shifts but Steve single handedly shifted the market by transforming the way we interface with media. (Yarrow, 2012) This can be a lesson for education leaders...if we have any.
We’ve seen what innovation and creativity do to society. Thank you Bell, Edison, Einstein, Guttenburg, Watt (steam engine)! We couldn’t have done it without you! I bet these creative innovators had a few things in common. They probably had the rare ability to give themselves permission to do what was possible. They also thrived in an environment that offered the essential resources necessary to succeed. Whew! Lucky for them. I like to argue that Beethoven was the Roger Waters or Jimmy Hendrixs of his time and would fit in with the likes of Metallica and Jimmy Page. Although this argument makes my wife, who is a professional violinist red in the face, she reluctantly agrees because he had a piano for his environment and not the electric keyboard or guitar. I’m listening to Beethoven’s 9th symphony and it rocks! I’m getting off topic.
What does all of this have to do with a tech plan? A tech plan is not going to create innovation but it can build an environment that promotes it. As our economy metamorphosises and our society becomes dependent on whatever structure that crops up, our schools remain based in a plan that was designed to poop out assembly line workers. Sony no longer makes walkmans and Kodak no longer makes...anything really. However, we still produce assembly line workers. Why? Our plans are afraid of upsetting someone. The list of innovators included in the previous paragraph probably put a few people in the unemployment line at first. Imagine how many careers were born as their ideas became cultural realities? After referring to the inherent differences transformations have with reforms, Ken Robinson points out the employment plight of the youth and why our education reforms have failed to give them the resources to succeed. (2011)
In conclusion, a tech plan should offer an environment for students to be creative. That’s easy and hard. I can deliver the goods but if an educator and a student thinks that is all that is necessary, they will both fail. Tools must be used properly. The environment must provide for this and the tech plan should offer this to both educators and students. In order to transform how we develop our society (that’s what education does) a tech plan should be a bit psychopathic. in other words, it shouldn’t be afraid to break down a system that is ineffective even if there is a tech specialist that might need to be retrained. If you’re wondering why I used the word, “psychopathic” please listen to this NPR podcast with Jon Ronson about a study of psychopathic tendencies of successful CEOs. (2011)
References:
Costello, S. (2013). Who invented the ipod: The story may end at apple, but it begins in the 1970s. Retrieved from http://ipod.about.com/od/understandingipodmodels/a/invented-ipod.htm
NPR. lA phychopath walks into a room. Can you tell? Podcast. http://www.npr.org/2011/05/21/136462824/a-psychopath-walks-into-a-room-can-you-tell
Robinson, K. (2011). Out of our minds. Chichester, West Sussex: Capstone Publishing Ltd.
Yarow, J. (2012, December 09). How apple really lost its lead in the 80. Business Insider, Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/how-apple-really-lost-its-lead-in-the-80s-2012-12
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