Enterprise Architecture is completely new to me. The above video was a clear and concise introduction to this concept for me. I'd like to know more about all of it! I'd love to know more about what happens when one comes into a less than ideal model and the steps taken to "fix" the architecture while still maintaining the functionality of the business (school).
The model of "hairball architecture" reminded me of the time I helped a family member straighten up the cables for the TV, internet, DVD, VCR, DVR, and cable box. If you unplugged one device, something else did not work. It was a mess! Taking a step back, coming up with an organized plan for the connections, and then putting it into practice by teaching my family members how to access the various devices made them all functional and useable. This connection makes me think of the frustration my family (the users) had with the messy setup and how this might also be the frustration of a user attempting to use technology in the workplace that is set-up similar to the hairball architecture in the video.
Hind-sight is 20/20. When I think about a time I wish I had done something differently many moments come to mind. Everything from how I handled personal relationships, to the color of highlights I once choose to put in my hair, to the way I've taught lessons in my class. This is life though, this is how we learn- through experiences. We do. We reflect. We make changes. One thing I have changed since the first time I did it is the way I start the first day of school for my students. My first year teaching, I planned out multiple ice breaker activities, art projects, and assignments for the first day and week of school. I quickly learned that less is more! I discovered, that for the first day of school, I only needed about half the normal plans I needed once the school year got going. The first year I taught, I tried to cram so much in that I didn't have the time to invest in to teaching procedures. I know now that investing and dedicating time setting up classroom routines, expectations, transition procedures, etc. pays off ten-fold for the entire year! As much as I want to jump into the content and curriculum each school year, when I spend the time with my class practicing these procedures and expectations my students are more successful and self-sufficient when it comes to daily routines and procedures.
So for the past 8 years I now start my first week of school off more slowly. I know that practicing simple things like how to come down to the carpet and sit in rows quickly may seem too basic and simple for 3rd graders to an outsider looking in. However, this "basic skill" when done quickly and without hassle, literally saves hours over the course of the school year. For example, if my class spends four minutes coming down to the rug each time and we do this five times in one school day, this translates into 20 minutes of wasted time just moving about during a transition! Multiply this across a week and then over 180 days in the school year... that's a lot of wasted time! 60 hours to be exact! This example is one that teachers are told about in teacher preparation programs by veteran teachers, but until you actually see this play out in your classroom you won't fully understand this advice and how true it is. Reflection on our practice and the ability to make almost immediate changes to better the outcomes is one of the reasons I love this profession.
The model of "hairball architecture" reminded me of the time I helped a family member straighten up the cables for the TV, internet, DVD, VCR, DVR, and cable box. If you unplugged one device, something else did not work. It was a mess! Taking a step back, coming up with an organized plan for the connections, and then putting it into practice by teaching my family members how to access the various devices made them all functional and useable. This connection makes me think of the frustration my family (the users) had with the messy setup and how this might also be the frustration of a user attempting to use technology in the workplace that is set-up similar to the hairball architecture in the video.
Hind-sight is 20/20. When I think about a time I wish I had done something differently many moments come to mind. Everything from how I handled personal relationships, to the color of highlights I once choose to put in my hair, to the way I've taught lessons in my class. This is life though, this is how we learn- through experiences. We do. We reflect. We make changes. One thing I have changed since the first time I did it is the way I start the first day of school for my students. My first year teaching, I planned out multiple ice breaker activities, art projects, and assignments for the first day and week of school. I quickly learned that less is more! I discovered, that for the first day of school, I only needed about half the normal plans I needed once the school year got going. The first year I taught, I tried to cram so much in that I didn't have the time to invest in to teaching procedures. I know now that investing and dedicating time setting up classroom routines, expectations, transition procedures, etc. pays off ten-fold for the entire year! As much as I want to jump into the content and curriculum each school year, when I spend the time with my class practicing these procedures and expectations my students are more successful and self-sufficient when it comes to daily routines and procedures.
So for the past 8 years I now start my first week of school off more slowly. I know that practicing simple things like how to come down to the carpet and sit in rows quickly may seem too basic and simple for 3rd graders to an outsider looking in. However, this "basic skill" when done quickly and without hassle, literally saves hours over the course of the school year. For example, if my class spends four minutes coming down to the rug each time and we do this five times in one school day, this translates into 20 minutes of wasted time just moving about during a transition! Multiply this across a week and then over 180 days in the school year... that's a lot of wasted time! 60 hours to be exact! This example is one that teachers are told about in teacher preparation programs by veteran teachers, but until you actually see this play out in your classroom you won't fully understand this advice and how true it is. Reflection on our practice and the ability to make almost immediate changes to better the outcomes is one of the reasons I love this profession.