I am often asked how to motivate more “senior” faculty when it comes to innovating in teaching and learning. Motivation comes in two forms – intrinsic and extrinsic. The most passionate teachers are not motivated by an administrator dictating a new program…it comes from within. Like a gardener, administrators help nurture the passion and act as a source for reflection and focus. Forms of extrinsic motivation can be summer workshops, cash, or the “top down” approach – which does have its’ place.
Over the past 13 years I have found digital cameras to be one very successful means to encourage less technologically savvy faculty to integrate new media in the classroom. Digital cameras use the same metaphors of aperture and exposure as real cameras – so they feel comfortable to just about anyone. What I have done is give many digital cameras to the faculty with somewhat smaller than expected memory cards and tell them that this is there camera for their personal use, no strings attached. They take pictures of their dogs, grand kids, their trip to Coney Island…and on Monday when the card is full and they can no longer take any more photos they start asking good questions. When we sit down and start downloading their pictures and maybe make a power point or open Photoshop, things start to happen – it is using emotionally powerful material to motivate intrinsically.