My RANT of the Day!
Andrew Smith SFHEA FRSA ????
UK Academic, HE in FE Specialist, Digital Technology Skills Evangelist, EDI Hero (according to WorldSkillsUK), Author & National Qualification Consultant [degrees | vocational | vendor | academic | apprenticeships]
Help me! Seriously, please help me and preserve me from those who still think as tho’ it was ten or twenty years ago. Like the albatross curse for the ancient mariner, their soggy, outmoded thinking weighs all of us down.
Rather than develop, they define, often by their own limited perspective – unable to see opportunity for others, let alone themselves. Via osmotic semi competence, they have risen in their mediocrity and affect others in their wake – not for good, alas, not for good.
Academic programmes evolve, the teaching landscape changes, and we have many new ways of developing our students, especially within the domain of digital technologies. Yet, what angers me most – is when outside, inactive actors intervene when motivated souls are looking to improve the situation for others, without prejudice or self-interest.
Their own poorly defined self-interests have now set back the good work of three different organisations, trying to help one other! Sadly, this isn’t the first time, I doubt it will be the last either.
I console myself, knowing that for every single educational luddite, there are ten more motivated and able to make a difference. Out there trying their best and attempting to improve the world for themselves, many others and of course their own students. I now meet more people like this, than our soggy thinkers. However – they do peeve me somewhat!
Sessional Academic / Curriculum & Assessment Developer
2 年Peter Principle at work all the time. Not being the diplomat like you, and having achieved some level of financial security, I spent my last years railing against those propping up the obsolete machine by mentoring colleagues to do the right thing, until the machine paid me a princely sum to go away.
Dad of 3 Future Tech Queens | Education Technology Entrepreneur | Cyber Education & AI Global Project Magician ?? eSports?? | Let's Talk! ????
2 年Unfortunately Andrew my experience is the same there are some really active and innovative lecturers, Hods and Directors out there however those that are managing computer science provion need to understand the subject it is far too fast paced. Even if a Computing Lecturer stood still the technology will pass them by, let alone those that have no experience of the domain and are trying to manage it. We are trying to make a difference through what we do to support and mentor staff around the UK and the world. However at times top talent drifts away for FE colleges due to misunderstanding, lack of forward planning, no real strategic direction, poor recruitment decisions, non appreciation of the staff they have. Technology is not about fancy buildings its about the staff that have the skills aptitude and knowledge and will power to be real life long learners they are the ones that make a difference... Lets hope they get the respect they deserve. Otherwise I can foresee FE College computing departments failing and just being part of schools and university landscape. By the way keep up the good work you are making a real difference!