teachwatts: Learner or Leader?

Today was a day of conflicts. Who am I? As I sit here at the Learning 2.011 conference, who am I? Do I want to learn all that I can and soak in every morsel? Or do I want to impart what I have learned to help those who are looking for ideas and searching for answers?

I don’t know the answer to this question. I struggled with it throughout the conference. At one point today there was a conflict of interest that I didn’t know what to do which spun me into a total conundrum. There were two workshops happening at the same time: one on WordPress/ePortfolios and the second on Google Apps. On one hand, I could have easily taken the easy road and showcased what I have learned using WordPress to create ePortfolios at two separate international schools. Or on the other hand, I could have chosen to learn more about Google Apps and share that with my teachers since we are in the process of implementing this program at AES. I chose the best way to help my teachers, even though I am passionate about ePortfolios. Sometimes you have to be the grown up in the sandbox. In that case I was.

Yet this afternoon, there was an unconference on COETAIL (which I start teaching at AES this Wednesday) and a workshop on apps for the iPad simutaneously running. The second time I chose the role of leader instead of learner. The choice really came down to what could have the largest impact on others. I chose to learn more about GoogleApps because I can show this to every teacher and student in my school. I then chose COETAIL because no other educational development has changed what I teach, how I teach and who I want to be when I grow up more than these 5 courses. This program changes not only the way teachers teach, but also how they learn. It will directly impact more students than anything else I know.

I find it hard to believe I am the only one who fluxuates between the role of learner and leader at conference. Am I here to share or to learn? I am still working on that one, but I am enjoying every minute of it. Let me know if you have any solutions.

3 comments:

Jabiz, September 11, 2011 7:21 PM: I know exactly what you are talking about, as I felt the same way last year. I think as our roles shift more towards coaches and facilitators, the more we want to help, guide, and work with teachers.

Sounds to me like you are ready to be a cohort leader next year, and believe me I learned a lot this year from this end. Just socializing and planning and talking with people like Alec and Darren, and...well all those guys was an amazing experience, but more importantly just getting that leadership experience and really trying to guide teachers instead of feeling like the "know-it-all" in the session was priceless.

It was great to see you again, maybe again in Hong Kong. We will see.
Jay Priebe, September 11, 2011 10:01 PM: Dana,
Like everything in life, it is about striking that balance. This is not a decision about what you should do all the time. It is about choosing the right thing at the moment, which it sounds like you were able to do. (same idea inside any one session too... when to ask questions, when to share and when to just make way for others contribute...)
Dana S. Watts, September 12, 2011 2:34 AM: At the end of the day, maybe that is the definition of all of our crazy job titles: Technology Facilitator; Technology Coordinator; Technology Coach; Educational Technology Leader. I have heard at least 20 different titles this week. Whatever we have been "labeled", our basic job description could simply say "learner and leader".