The Records Room

Growing up, my mother was one of the local community doctors. Back before corporate run large medical groups, she was in solo practice. Hanging her proverbial shingle outside her office. She ran the business. At first it was a couple of employees and as the business grew, the obligations and support team grew also. During the eighties, the availability of technology changed and as a result, the skills necessary to lead the office and the tools within the office changed also.

One of our first roles of helping out mom at the office was filing records. The had rows and rows of cabinets with patient records. When we were in on the weekend, it was our job to meticulously file them alphabetically in order so that the receptionist, nurse, or my mom could get to them quickly. There were never a lot to file, but usually 15 or 20 that hadn't gotten done by the close of the day on Friday. However, when we would walk into the records room, we were literally surrounded by files. All painstakingly organized for quick access.

I walked into my son's doctors office now. Its a small practice, four doctors. The receptionist is in an open air area with windows behind her. It's a nice view. There are no files. She uses an earpiece to talk to individuals on the phone. In a moment's notice she has all of the information on my son. She sends a digital alert to the doctor to let us know we picked up his prescriptions.

The change from the records room to now didn't happen overnight. There were many that said it wasn't necessary, there would be fewer jobs for people, and it wouldn't improve health care. Many professionals needed additional time, support, and training to make the transition. However, as we complete the journey, we can certainly say that our medical professionals have greater access to up to date information to provide the best care they can.

Thirty years later, we are making the same transition in education. Sure we did it long ago with student records. However, teachers, administrators, and secretaries make up only a small portion of those who work in schools. Students are by far the largest number of workers in a school. The digital transition to student devices is more than simply screen time and glowing parchment. The impacts are more than access to Khan Academy videos and digital games. The impacts begin with simple work flow. If emailing out a page for students saves 10 minutes at the copier (figure walking to the copier, running the copy, and walking back, all assuming that the copier works and their is no line), and 3 minutes of passing out papers, that number alone adds up to incredible savings throughout the school year of teacher time and student time. If digital distribution, means that now I can distribute different worksheets to different groups, not only is time saved but now we can get more aligned products. If digital distribution means that students can send me back their work electronically instead of putting it in a bin, needing to ensure that every paper has made it to the bin and has a name on it (ask a teacher, this is a real problem), and I need to sort it and organize it, there alone is a tremendous time savings. If digital distribution means that I have access to teacher and student materials beyond the age level I teach, there is an incredible time savings and learning opportunity. None of these huge savings addresses the incredible product development opportunities for students and teachers, authentic publishing experiences, or research opportunities available to children and adults. The digital revolution is as much about creating time and learning efficiencies as anything else.

The integration of 1:1 learning won't be easy. It may not be inexpensive. However, the new-fangled ultrasound machine that my mom got for her office wasn't either. Like my mom, we will need to be brave as we change the tools of our practice. In the end, these tools improved patient care, just as 1:1 will improve learning. They allowed more specific and more diagnostic care, just as 1:1 will help in learning.

Checking the Records Room

Start of Something New

August is here and as I look throughout social media, it's a time during which so many people are starting new adventures. Many of my friends are beginning new jobs. Some returning to the workforce after some significant time at home while others are trying new adventures. Some friends are writing new curricula or starting new programs. A new principalship or directorship, teaching in a new place or new content, or beginning at a new school. Its a time of energy and anxiousness. For many it's like that first day of high school, a feeling of being ready for this, knowing you can be successful, and anxiousness of so what is this really going to look like.

As we start something new, there are some things all of us should remember. People want you to be successful. Colleagues, friends, and family all wish you to do well. You were brought to the organization for a purpose and to be a difference maker. However, no one thinks you have to do it on day one. It is in everyone's interest that you succeed in your new role whether it's your first day of high school, first day as a teacher, or first day as a superintendent.

It's okay to get to know the lay of the land. All of us spent the days before entering a new school figuring out where our lockers were, what's our schedule, when's lunch. There really isn't a difference between entering the middle school as a student or a teacher. These are things we need to know. Often we all ask questions. In fact it is better to express our questions rather than hold them in and pretend that we know. Colleagues and clients like fallibility, as long as one works to learn and quickly correct the mistakes. Growing from mistakes is one of the best things we can do, whether we are a new student or veteran administrator.

As we start new things is vital that we start and remain positive. In the book FISH!, Stephen Lundin and Henry Paul look into the culture and climate of organizations that make a difference. They note the importance for employees to "choose their attitude." When one chooses a positive attitude, even challenges can be overcome. In our workplace and in all facets of life there are lots of things we can't control. Our attitude and perception truly impacts how we handle obstacles. Its okay to be anxious, nervous, frustrated, and even overwhelmed. However, by keeping a positive attitude, reminding yourself that this is just a stage and you will get through this. Reminding oneself that challenges make us better in the long run. This perspective will help you be successful on the first day and throughout your journey.

August is for many of us a chance to start or restart with a new joy in our work. For both children and adults, inside and outside of school, this is a chance for a fresh beginning. Lets make the most of it.

Start of Something New