Today I had to ask for help using technology. I know, I’m supposed to be embarrassed, I am the expert at my school on using technology, but really there are things I don’t know how to do. I don’t know how to use a fax machine. They were never a technology I considered useful, and in today’s world of email, I consider them somewhat archaic.
In any case, I had to send a fax today because it was the only way I could send this particular piece of information to a government ministry, don’t get me started on that. I went to the front office and asked our really wonderful administrative assistant if she could help me. Her jaw dropped, and the jaw of a colleague who was standing nearby dropped as well. "You don’t know how to use a fax machine? But you’re like Mr. Technology! You should know this!"
My colleague patiently showed me how to send a fax, a skill I’m sure I’ll promptly forget. It looks pretty easy but given that I have to send about 1 fax every year, it’s not a skill I get to practice often and I’ll probably have to ask again next year. When my colleague finished showing me how to use our school’s photocopier, which I discovered doubles as a fax machine, I was happy and thanked her. She did a fist-pump, exclaimed, "Yes! I showed Mr. Wees something with technology," and then went on to give the administrative assistant a high-five. They were both excited that they got to show me something.
Now keep in mind, these are grown adults, and their reaction might not be the same as your students’ reaction, but let me ask the question: How do you think your kids would react if they got to teach you something? Do you think that they would remember that experience? Would it be worth not looking like the expert for a couple of minutes?
