The July-August issue of the Harvard Business Review includes an article titled "The Making of an Expert". The authors (Ericsson, Prietula, and Cokely) discuss scientific research that shows experts are developed through years of dedicated practice and coaching, not simply born into their expertise. Ordinary practice is not sufficient to become an expert. Instead, to reach the highest levels in your field you must reach to expand your abilities that are outside your comfort zone and you must do this in a continuous and disciplined manner. They state that becoming an expert is a long road (at least a decade) and requires guidance.
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How does this translate to education? More specifically, how does this translate to teaching with technology in the new world system? If you were challenged to be an expert what would it be in?
I challenge each Global Learner to identify the area of teaching and learning that they will be an expert in. If that area does not include some integrated technology try to add some. What will your area of expertise be?
4 comments:
Perhaps it is a daunting task to focus on being an expert, especially when it does take significant effort. I feel that what I end up becoming an expert in depends on what I think is exciting and what is motivating to learn more about. Right now that is digital storytelling. What about you?
I think in when considering technology in education we cannot look at it like it is a 10-year process. On the other hand, the process to becoming a great teacher might be a 10-year process.
Not sure I am an expert in anything. However, if I had to focus on something it would be using RSS and productivity applications to more efficiently disseminate information and share best practices. I think there is a lot of potential on that front.
"EXPERT" makes me think of the people I listen to and mold my thinking and instruction off of. To be an EXPERt in an area would mean that one would have a lot of EXPERience in that area.
After two years of teaching, I don't have much experience. But the areas I do have some experience in would be language and literacy. However, I am far from being an expert (even when I have finished grad school and owe the government 75k!).
I have dabbled in and experimented with a lot of things technology related, a lot of that is because of my age. I'm on the cusp of being a digital native and so its easy for me to "play" with things until I get them.
So, if I were to combine the area I would (someday) consider myself an expert and the ease with which I understand and integrate technology, I would be an expert in using technology to move students towards being metacognative about their language and literacy.
Tonia, Great comment. I am looking forward to seeing this expert develop!
Joe
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