01.16.07
Reflections on Change
Over the past week or so I have moved this blog from a server at my house to one of my servers at my web host (1and1.com). My server at home is primarily a test platform I use for research and programming. Originally, I had put the blog on that server when I was first playing around with it. Then the blog turned into a real thing. So, after more than a year on my server, I took it off and copied it to the new site.
I had been putting this off because I knew it would take some time and might be problematic getting the blog and the accompanying database copied over without losing anything. In the end, it wasn’t too hard and only took about an hour altogether.
Upon reflection, I was reluctant to do it mostly because I was so comfortable with how it worked. It never caused problems and changing the location (and upgrading the WordPress software, which I also did when I moved it) seemed like a real pain for no gain. To the consumer of the blog, it doesn’t work any differently now than it did before. It dawned on me that this is the way we likely view many technology changes. If there is no appreciable gain demonstrated, why go to the trouble (and expense) of doing it? Why, for example, should I move to Windows Vista when XP works fine for me? I used to change just stay on the cutting edge, but after countless hours of wasted time fixing things that weren’t broken, I’ve sort of changed my attitude.
It would seem that many teachers are in the same boat. They are so comfortable with what they do that they really can’t see any reason to change anything. Moreover, they see detriments, not benefits, from adopting some technologies that are often touted. Those of us who are zealots for instructional technology need to step back for a moment and put ourselves in their shoes. If we can’t show tangible, palpable benefits from the technologies we espouse, how can we expect anyone to take the risk of change? Anecdotal evidence is not enough. We need some hardcore research concerning the efficacy of many of these technologies and we need it yesterday.
