I am familiar with the "the way things are" mentality as I'm sure as teachers, we all are. It is so hard to change education because of this way of thinking. I believe what is interesting is that it will have to change because technology will demand it. There is so much to be learned through the use of technology it is unreal. While YouTube has millions of videos of cats doing funny things, there is also a wealth of knowledge on there to be used. Most school districts block YouTube because of the way things are. I do see some signs of hope when I hear of school districts switching over to using Google for word processing and document creation. This allow for collaboration in a way that was not possible just a few years ago.
Currently I am part of a pilot program to implement a readers and writers workshop model into the classroom. In a way I feel like I am outside of my element and want to stick with "the way things are." I am facing that fear and going to do my best to work at this and make it happen for my district. I really do feel like I'm on the other side of the coin with this. I am learning and changing everyday. My hope is that I continue to integrate technology and successfully incorporate the readers and writers workshop model. Both will be a shift in "the way things are."
I love that you recognize the "way things are" with your district's stubbornness towards tech and the stubbornness of fellow educators. At the same time you see the small ray of light that you believe is going to melt the frozen disposition of your fellows. Hopeful is the one who persists day after day moving the mountain a small bucket at a time. In that we're all hopeful.
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