Dear Reader,
The world of technology is exciting, confusing, frightening and powerful. It changes by the minute. Everyone agrees that training and guidance are crucial. But....
What usually happens?
The "We will support you" song that you heard so much before the sale of equipment evaporates into a fog of phone calls, frustration and something that is euphemistically called "lowered expectations".
This is not anybody's fault. It is an unfortunate fact that money is made by selling stuff, not information. Those people need to feed their children, too.
Some areas of technology have rocketed into high-dollar markets. In these cases it is worth remembering that if your main source of information is a corporate sales department, those people (while being wonderful resources for you) are trained by an entity whose first goal is to promote its image and sales of its products. The lessons you have learned as a consumer of other everyday products should not be forgotten here. Hype happens.
How about another too-common situation: Decisions are made (who exactly makes them is not always clear), products are purchased and training is set up. As the date of training arrives, what happens?
Actually, a lot (maybe half) of what is called "hype" is a natural process that we should all understand. The wonderful product that worked with such success for CHOOSE ONE: (San Francisco City Schools, classrooms across the country, the government of Venezuela) actually did work wonders in that situation. The chances of it working for you are in direct proportion to the similarity of their situation to yours. (One relationship seems to me to be more significant than any other. They developed it...it works for them. If you didn't develop it...???)
At any rate, there is something you can do to get the most from your situation. Compare it to preparing the ground to plant a garden. The most wonderful, expensive, fully-developed plant will not have much luck if we just stick it into the ground. Buying a bigger, more expensive, more developed plant is not the method most gardeners would choose to increase their rate of success. Wouldn't you try tilling, fertilizing, and/or watering?
Realistically speaking, when the subject is technology, no outside person can do the groundwork for you. You have to do it yourself. Luckily, there are methods. They have been around for a long time and they work. They may not make you rich quick, but but you will find yourself more in control of your situation.
You can do it. You'll probably like it.
What if you are an absolute beginner?
I doubt you are. If you are reading this, you have the experience you need.
I have been working with computers and other technological stuff for over 15 years. Every time I walk into a new situation or start a new project, I am a beginner again.
I have been a learner and teacher all my life, but in every new subject, I am a beginner again.
I have been involved with people all my life, but in every new group, I am a beginner again.
There is a thing called "beginner's mind", the mindset that lets you think in terms of possibilities and promise, instead of problems, that can be considered a real advantage.
In over forty years of experience, perhaps the thing I have learned to do best is begin. This is what I have to share--a trail guide to help you find the paths and recognize the milestones on the way to being creatively in control of the technology around you. There are three parts to this program that can be done over and over again as needed-- Technology User, Technology Specialist, and Technology Connector. When they become second nature, your world and mine will be a better place.
Enjoy!
P.S. I have a lot of fun when I do these things, and so do the people who do them with me. You can, too!
The Technology Connection Copyright Margaret Hettinger
mhettinger@mac.com
Date created: 1994 Last Updated: 8-10-96