Barriers to entry are obstacles that keep us from getting into something new. It's the learning curve of Twitter. It's the clunky interface in the blog editor or confusing options in the settings page. It could be the costly equipment or the distance something is from our home. Sometimes it's not knowing anyone else who is doing it. Sometimes it's knowing that everyone else is doing it. If the barrier is too steep, then no entry will be made.
Most barriers to entry have a few things in common- time and fear. New things are always going to take time to learn. I read that it takes 10,000 hours of doing something to become a master at it. Getting the basics takes a fraction of that, but it can still be daunting.
Fear is the most basic reaction to something new. Most of us fear change on some level. Getting out of our comfort zone can be a huge barrier to entry. Don't dismiss it.
Like many of you, I've tried to show Twitter, blogging, and various online tools to staff members at school over the years. It seldom bears fruit. The barrier to entry is usually too high to get people moving. I need to be more mindful of these barriers and do what I can help others overcome them.
I'm convinced that all of this technology stuff isn't for everyone. But like my Twitter pal, Paula, wrote- something is. To all of you plugging away at sharing tech ideas, keep at it. And I'll keep at it too.
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After being inspired at the recent Educon conference in Philly, @suludavis and I had a great conversation about how many avid social media and generally Internet-y teachers rave about their experience but cannot convert (so to speak) other non-Internet-y teachers.
ReplyDeleteShe noted that all these users have so much "soft" experience but little "hard" data to back it up. There are so many people sharing information out there, why don't we put it into numbers to help more people come to use the resources available online?
Thanks for your posts!
Best,
HollyAnne
@HJGiffin
HollyAnne,
ReplyDeleteThat's a great point about the soft experience. You're right, that might be the tipping point for some people. I'm just not sure how much of it can be quantified- which is a larger meta-issue in and of itself.
Most of my students love blogging. I think it's a great way to teach writing and to give them a voice. I feel like it makes them more mindful writers. Unfortunately, I have no way to equate blogging directly to higher test scores or anything like that.
This stuff always reminds me of the Einstein quote:
“Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.”
I appreciate your thoughts about learning how to use technology. I'm currently enrolled in a technology class as part of getting a Master's degree. I am learning so many new things in school, and there's still barriers as I'm not currently teaching. I feel encouraged by reading this to try new things.
ReplyDelete