Human or Machine Focus
“Here’s a quick way to tell if you are machine or human focused (as an AV director in Iowa once suggested to me): If someone comes up to you saying his computer doesn’t work, is your first thought:
There is a problem in the chair.
or
There is problem on the desk.
If you assumption that the problem is SUD, you better grab one of Norman’s books.” (SUD-Stupid User Dysfunction)
Doug Johnson’s Blue Skunk Blog – Blue Skunk Blog – Donald Norman – Worth Reading
Doug Johnson is discussing Donald Norman’s books, he says that Noman makes “humans, not machines, the focus of technology implementation and use.” These words, and really, the whole blog got me thinking. Where is my focus? I hope it is on the human factor, afterall I work with people. I work with a great group of teachers who are very dedicated and hardworking. Sometimes they are overwhelemed at all they have to do and “freeze” just like the computers they work on. (Thanks Becky for the anology) Sometimes simple errors do occur. We all have those moments when we miss the obvious. It happens. I try to let them know that it happens to everyone. After all I do want them to call again, try new tools and feel comfortable with the tools and the options they have. I hope as the years go on I keep that human focus and not stress about the silly errors and un-needed trips down the hall. I shouldn’t even call them un-needed, they give me a chance to talk to them, maybe learn more about their needs and hopefully they learn that if you ask for support you will get it.
I have met people over my 20 years in education who are so machine focused I wonder why they do the work they do. These individuals make comments that “their” teachers could never learn something so they do not teach them or control everything for fear “they” will mess it up. If I ever start speaking that way I hope someone tells me so I can find a new job. I was a classroom teacher to long. I would never want to speak so disrespectfully about people who do an almost impossible job everyday and give it all they’ve got.
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One thought on “Human or Machine Focus”
Being a tech support person, I know exactly what you are saying. I make sure I explain to the teachers what went wrong so hopefully next time it will help them further. It is a process that cannot be accomplished overnight. Takes 3-5 years for a teacher to become comfortable with technology and start integrating into the curriculum. I truly believe (and you remember this Beth from BSC)that a tech support person who is available and helpful makes all the difference. When teachers apologize for asking me to help them again, I tell them that there was a time when I didn’t know things and I had to always ask for help and I am still always asking for help (you know that Beth).