I laughed out loud when I read the instructions for this activity
because only minutes before I had to step back from a situation and pull out
the ole empathy toolbox. Working in
education and with technology means I encounter those that teach very well but know
very little about technology, those that teach well….ok but are superstars with
technology and those that manage a good balance with both. It can be a challenge to meet the needs of
all levels. Today I find myself looking
for the ways to identify and develop empathy with a professor that is technically
challenged in a way that results in a very poor outcome for learners.
My toolbox:
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes – Consider how long she has taught
and how much technology has changed?
Think about the added stress of not knowing how to use technology
coupled with embarrassment of asking for help.
Think about the motive for waiting so long to ask for help –
What might discourage her from asking for help earlier?
Focus on compassion – Make an intentional effort to respond
to her with compassion and seek understanding.
Remove judgments – Discard memories of past experiences and
focus on understanding the current situation.
Seek perspectives from others – Check my perceptions of the
situation with someone else.
These efforts combine to create empathy and give me a
renewed energy to help her resolve the technical challenges both to her benefit
and most importantly, for her students.
Hi Tracy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for this thoughtful reflection. Indeed, one word that really sticks out her is "compassion." It's also a good measure of whether or not we really are trying to see things from another person's perspective. Compassion helps us remove judgement and to be enthusiastic about partnering with someone to find a solution. It's obvious that "walking a mile in her shoes" is more than a platitude for you.