EDC 668: Blog #3

Posted on May 21st, 2010 in EDC 668: Managing Technology for Change

Assignment for the Week of May 24th

Read: Drive Part Two

Reference #1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_innovations

(This is a good summary of the major theory around adoption of innovations).

Blog: Who is impacted by change? What are their characteristics and how to we use our understanding of them to best implement change?

Group meetings: Discuss your project status in groups in Skype (each group or individual should sign up for the appropriate time with Melissa in the wiki).

Portfolio Activity: Decide key elements you would like included and create portfolio navigation.

Project Activity: Evaluate the learning context of the change. What learning will need to take place and by whom? How will you address the learning needs and challenges? Post summary (in any clear format- perhaps bulleted, mind-mapped, scheduled, outlined, etc) to wiki.
Due: 5/31

BLOG:

I think the real question is who isn’t impacted by change? The whole reason I’m working with my friends in Pandytown is because rapid globalization has changed their culture with devastating effects. Privatization and western notions of Real Estate law has changed where they can hunt and gather food on the islands that once sustained them. Tourist home/hotel construction has led to more roads and an increased watershed that threatens the barrier reef. Cruise ships now visit the island and their related economy has caused an influx of Honduran mainlanders whose culture is very different than the Bay Islanders. The change equates to few opportunities for work and education. Meanwhile threats from drugs and disease continue to escalate. The pristine Bay Island culture must adapt and overcome or end up extinct.
These are the characteristics of the underlying change and by understanding the big picture problem we may take steps to create more effective opportunities for growth.
My role in this process is small but nonetheless, important.

As I work to introduce digital tools and spread the Bay Islanders story it is clear that we must not only equip the townships with technology but coach interested members on best practices in using it. The following areas indicate the learning needs and challenges. Much of the learning is self-determined after simple encouragement and brief one-on-one instruction: