Over the last seven weeks, I found the repartee to always be probing and thought provoking. After reading everyone's posts, I always was left with the feeling that I learned a little bit more about each of you. While I have struggled some with the lack of face-to-face interaction this learning format provides, I have found that reading the writings of many of you has been akin to glimpsing into your souls. The soul in the machine so to speak?
By no means am I a technological guru like my friend Pat Chadd. However, I do feel like I know a little more than the 'average joe' or at least enough to get myself in trouble? Anyway, coming from a cash poor state like Alabama and working in a very narrow field such as special education for children with sensory impairments, I have always felt like the benefits of technology have been underrepresented for the end-users I serve.
As far as technology in a leadership capacity goes in a setting like mine? "Et tu, Brute?" It is underrepresented as well. It is underrepresented in how we deal with our stakeholders. Some of the children we serve come from very underprivileged backgrounds, so the 'technological face' we present to them is not relevant. However, the 'technological face' we present to the rest of the world is woeful at best. Our website is unfinished with 'links to nowhere.' We do not have a Facebook or Twitter page. For a connected society we might as well not even exist! This is intolerable in this day and age. Especially for an institution that so desperately has to 'panhandle' the state legislature for funds and is in constant need for boosting enrollment.
Why am I pondering this problem now you may ask? Well, Creighton and its Jesuit tradition of self reflection makes me question a lot of things; not only in my life, but in my courses in our Ed.D program as well. I have two words for you: societal revolution. Last week, those two words completely blew my mind. I had been thinking of this technological revolution we are amidst purely from the machine side of things, not the societal impact it has had and continues to have.
As a leader, it is my responsibility to serve my internal stakeholders and my community to the best of my ability. That means using any tool necessary to meet the needs of those internal stakeholders and the communities from which those stakeholders originate and to which they will eventually return. That means embracing and using the soul in the machine to touch souls in need: multiple disabled children of Alabama with sensory impairments.
Hi Robert,
ReplyDeleteI found your post very thought-provoking as well and 'societal revolution' is also something that rings through my soul too. Technology and Leadership are just vehicles for 'doing' and it's leaders like you who think about what they can and need to 'do' with technology in their roles are the ones who will create and push the societal change. The fact that you are technologically-savvy and aware that the technological face you present is lacking has already put you in the company of those leaders who are aware and who are thinking about what needs doing. Facebook and Twitter - like it or hate it - are tools of communication, interaction and marketing like none other before - and they are FREE. Social media is definitely here to stay. It may not always be Facebook or Twitter, but now that the social media box has been opened; there is no going back. I have no doubt that you will find a way to harness the soul in the machine to touch and reach the souls in need.
Pat
Robert,
ReplyDeleteThank you for a thoughtful & insightful final post. You know me, I'm always up for a little "societal revolution." I know there will be many opportunities for you to persistently & proactively challenge the technological norm at your organization. Pat's response is right on about the wonders of free social media communication & it's potential benefits to all organizational stakeholders. Stay true to your course of keeping the students in the forefront of your revolution & you'll be impactful in ways you can't even imagine yet. Technology offers us so many opportunities to interact & challenge outdated societal norms in positive ways for the gains of marginalized populations.
As always, a pleasure to journey through another class with you.
Cheers,
Eileen
Your goal to help child with disabilities as well as the underprivileged has been a sounding strength in your blogs. I appreciate that you never lose sight of this. This blog has been a window into your own soul which has been refreshing to meet!
ReplyDeleteThe challenges you presented along with your passions has been unique compared to many other class members. At the same time, you have reminded us that this is a societal responsibility. Societal revolution. We must, must, must be a part of the solution or we will create larger gaps and distances to the people living next door or sitting in the chair to our right. Whenever reading your blog, I am reminded of this in so many different ways and I am grateful to have you in this corner.
Keep doing your thing, Robert, and we will, too.
Love your comment about the soul of the machine. Some of my colleagues roll their eyes, but I have been saying for nearly two decades that I get to know my students' souls better online that I ever did in teaching face-to-face. So I am in total agreememt.
ReplyDeleteMy brother and one nephew live in Alabama (and would live no where else). While you recognize issues...I would postulate that those are issues that can still be addressed. You can fall behind quickly...but you can also catch up quickly.
I too have enjoyed your posts and your perspective these past 8 weeks. Best of luck to you!