I love to read the comics in the morning while enjoying a nice bowl of Apple Jacks. One of my favorite comic strips is Dilbert. Because I work in IT, it is almost a daily look into my life. Two days ago, the comic strip struck really close to home about something I truly believe.
Here is the comic
At least once a month, I get a call from a staff member asking me to train them on some piece of software. I understand that I am the Technology Director and that to many, that means I know everything there is to know about every piece of software that we purchase at the school. That is not however, the case. Many times I take 5 minutes to look at the program and find out how to work it. I would like for our staff to do that same. I truly believe that they are all able to figure it out themselves, they just lack the confidence in their ability to use computers. This "new" technology is still foreign to them and they shy away from trying things for fear of making a mistake. I do believe that no one can learn from mistakes they never make.
After struggling to develop a viable electric light-bulb for months and months, Thomas Edison was interviewed by a young reporter who boldly asked Mr. Edison if he felt like a failure and if he thought he should just give up by now. Perplexed, Edison replied, "Young man, why would I feel like a failure? And why would I ever give up? I now know definitively over 9,000 ways that an electric light bulb will not work. Success is almost in my grasp." And shortly after that, taking over 10,000 attempts, Edison invented the light bulb.
I feel that schools should hire people that are self motivated and will be able to do the job they are hired to do. If there is a need, training needs to be provided, but for many things, it is just taking the time to play around with software and find out how it works.
My 2 cents.
lance.lennon