Olympics

   As I sit to write this post, watching the swimming finals of the Olympics, I am struck by how these very events are a reflection of the very ideas we are talking about in class.  The implementation of new technologies in the classroom is something that many teachers, myself included, are hesitant to partake in.  Contrarily, at least from the outside, the Olympics embraces the implementation of new technologies throughout the event.  Let's take for instance swimming. Years ago hand timing was the way to go, relying entirely on the stop watch and the accuracy of the timer.  However, as years passed and new technologies were introduced - touch pads, starting systems, alternative timing and pacing computers - the Olympics always had the best and newest technology no matter the event.  Now, we don't necessarily see it failing as the technology in our classrooms seem to always do at that pivotal moment, but we do always see new camera angles, new split calculations, new statistical technology implements, and no one ever complains about it.  In fact, we, as viewers, are thankful for the implementation because that means we get to be there, well almost be there.  Looking back at my experience in swimming and track, the technology was always failing, and it wasn't something that angered us competitors by any means, it was just part of the game.  So why, then, am I so afraid to let go and try out the technology.  Obviously in the world of sports the technology has failed, but it didn't keep them from trying it again.  In the classroom, failed technology means have that "OH S#!+" moment and quickly finding a different activity to fill the time.  But in the Olympics, failed technology means controversy means perhaps false results, incorrect award distribution, barely missing out on going down in the record books.
     I think what I have taken away from the past week the most is to not be afraid to fail, to not be afraid to have things go less than perfect.  I am always telling my students that they shouldn't be afraid to fail because you learn from more from failure than you do from success.  Why don't I listen to my own advice? Why don't I just say "you know what if it doesn't work it doesn't work and theres not much I can do about it?"  Perhaps it's because I get so wrapped up in getting through the material or not letting on that I, too fail.  I think as teachers we think we need to be as close to perfect and seamless and flawless as possible that we freak out and hide ourselves from any chance to have flaws or failures or seams.  I'd like to say that from now on I will take all the risks, I'll be unafraid of what may happen and just go with it, but I wouldn't be true to myself or honest if I said that because it's going to take a hell of a lot to get to that point.  But, what I can say is that I will try and that I will be (a little) ok with failing in some respect.  I will still get frustrated when the technology doesn't read my mind and produce exactly what I am thinking.  But, I will try.  I will take a risk and if, say, audacity doesn't work for me again tonight - yes, I am in the seemingly impenetrable ring of file formats and inability to figure out how to get it uploaded - I will take a deep breath and say something along the lines of, "(Expletives) - Ok, I'll try this another time."  I think this is what is required of me at this moment.  If they can do it at the Olympics, why can't I?