The environment we live in for ED Tech IT is one that is unique in many ways. It is a challenge to make progress in the face of struggles that might be out of your control. Others desire to move forward with educational efforts that pull you in because there is always a technology component. […]
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Year: 2014
Why is it hard to change?
Why do people like the old stuff? I just had to go buy a new washer. The old one broke. Lots of smoke and smells and no clean cloths. So my wife and I go to the store after doing some internet research and buy a new one. It is delivered the next day. Installed […]
Are You Sending the Right Signals?
Have you ever thought about the signals you send? Everything you do says something about you. What are you saying through your words and actions, even you body language? Even the documents you produce say something about you. Are you sending out positive signals in your policies? Are there too many “Do Not’s” ? To […]
Walking as your Talking
No, this is not a “can you walk and chew gum at the same time” kind of post… The old adage “Talk is cheap” still rings true. The world can stand just about everything, except a hypocrite. If the way you “walk” does not match the way you “talk” then everyone will discard your words. […]
Influence Roadblocks
Here are a few ideas on how to reduce the influence you may have on people. If you no longer want to have influence with people on issues – do the following: Be indifferent to peoples needs and desires Be disagreeable when confronted on issues Hoard information and don’t share anything with anyone Be two faced […]
ED Tech IT Leader – Flexing your Power to get things done
There are times when you have to exert “power” over others. Like when someone is ignoring the policies and downloading software that is not approved. This is when you need to address the issue. Power really means influence. Power is usually thought of as negative. Power hungry managers fling orders and expect people to jump. Power […]
People
This is the most important area of your EdTech IT life. This is the area that I will cover the most. Recently I attended a webinar where the IT Leader said something like “90% of my time I am working directly with people and not technology, and I am lying about the other 10%”. Not […]
Projects
IT Projects can set you apart from the crown. You have to get the individual regular tasks of maintenance and support into the groove so that you can free up time for IT projects. Some IT projects are obvious, like server upgrades, software deployments and technology refreshes, but some creep in unnoticed and grow into […]
Program
By Program, I do not mean the educational offerings to students, but rather the full offering that IT provides to Admin, Staff and Students. The ED Tech IT Leader lives in a split world. One that includes providing a robust standardized administrative technology offering that enables the business side and another innovative instructional environment that […]
Procedure
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). When did this become a negative thing? I have heard people say SOP in frustration when things are not changing or have become overbearing. It is used when a desire to be free of the constraints of yesterday meet the confinements of current practices. Some think and act as if all […]