Quick Fix: It Works!

It seems that everyone is looking for a quick fix to the issues that trouble them in their lives. As a woman who recently turned 40, I'm bombarded with opportunities to purchase products to fix what growing older is breaking. From wraps to reduce my waistline to serums to reduce my age lines, it seems that folks have found the answers, and they are advertised as a "quick fix".  These quick fix products promise to keep us looking younger and thinner. So what did I do? I jumped in and gave these products a try. After all, we've seen folks experience results through some of these methods. When you ask the success stories what they did exactly to achieve their results, the answer is always the same. They share how their "quick fix" resulted in a lifestyle change. This illustrates the fact that progress of any kind requires consistency. While the commitment may be as subtle as making a regular purchase of a particular product, or adding an additional step to your morning beauty regiment, it does take effort. Taking on a consistent practice is far from a quick. 

I believe that the same holds true for our professional learning and instructional practices: Consistency is key. Crash courses in operating new systems or having students demonstrate understanding through a variety of apps will give you results you can see, but do they really change the instructional landscape of the classroom?  It's not until we consistently implement technologies with purpose that we truly see the impact they can have on learning. Teachers need to make the integration of technology less of an event and more of a constant in order to get the best results. That's right my friends, I do not believe in quick fixes. I do however believe quick fixes can be just the motivation you need to continue to learn and grow (or shrink;) depending on your goal. When you begin to see your waist getting smaller thanks to the help of a few wraps, you are inspired to hit the gym a little more often to maintain that progress. I constantly encourage my teachers to take steps to improve their classroom instructional practices with the help of technology. Maybe that change starts with the help of a "quick fix" like investigating a new tool to increase their own or their students' productivity, leading to increased online workflow. Or perhaps it's utilizing pre-made digital content to help differentiate a lesson of which they know some of their students will struggle, leading to teachers creating their own authentic digital content. With consistent effort and commitment to change, teachers start to see results. It is these initial results that inspire them to continue on with their efforts, and ultimately when we begin to see the impact quality, purposeful integration practices can have on learning. 

So embrace those quick fixes and stick with them. They may be just what you need to inspire a real change.