Terry sent along this link that talks about the problems with implementing the “distributed content creation model” that I’m trying to put into place here. And in case you’re wondering, it’s going pretty slowly here. Maybe if I’d read this beforehand:
So how come nobody actually uses these systems once they’re in place? The answer is easy: People don’t like to change the way they work, particularly knowledge workers. Knowledge workers spend years building strategies to accomplish their jobs, practices that likely date back to study skills acquired during their education. So changing those processes — no matter how valid the provided technical solution — is nearly impossible. Users will rebel, even after substantial training.
Now the same could be said of students, who by all accounts are knowledge workers (I would hope.) I’ve been mulling over the blog as e-portfolio idea again and the more I dig into it, the more disruptive it seems. All the more reason to forge ahead.
The article goes on to say:
Put editors in charge. You need an editorial staff in place to make the content on your site as interesting and consistent as it can be. That staff may just be one executive editor, but nothing should go online without that person’s approval. As your Web strategy grows, so too should that staff.
And I have a feeling that’s where this might end up. I have a meeting about the Website with the Superintendent tomorrow where I might pitch the idea of incentivising departmental editors to update and produce content. And by the way, here are my latest departmental Weblog banners. I’m really loving this stuff…
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