A disgusted 4th grade teacher in Massachusetts sent in this parable.
THE SETUP: It is easier to create one software configuration and copy it onto all the computers in a school, rather than loading all the separate software programs on each computer individually.
However, creating the master software configuration in this way is not an “out of the box” solution. Like teaching, one must know the technology, the ability of the staff, and the proclivities of the students.
And here begins our story in a small New England public school system…
THE STORY: In any school system there are maybe one or two people who really know how to create a software configuration and do it well. Folks are naturally drawn to and follow these thought leaders.
Then, in steps the central office.
It’s called “creating a process” or “defining best practices.” A noble intention when it is indeed the intention.
However, in this case the central office was trying to cast their influence.
This type of central office cube-troll had made their career by not saying anything to anyone that might mean anything, thereby ensuring they would not say anything objectionable to anyone.
When “thought leaders” raise their heads in this school system, this type of central office cube-troll runs around in front of the parade and starts tossing around a baton as though they know what’s going on behind them.
What came from this was a “best practices” document which was wrong. When the two people who knew what they were doing tried to correct the document, the central office dismissed them, because, well you know, the folks in the central office believe they got there because they know more than everyone else, right?
The result was the “best practices” document remains at best a factory second, a bastardized facsimile of the correct way to create a software configuration, and the central office has proceeded to train the whole county with their version.
Now nothing works well in this New England school system. Teachers are dismayed by technology and less of it is being used.
THE MORAL: Central office figures are at their best when they are pushing the thought leaders into the limelight rather than pretending they are experts.