Let's stop being app snobs

evernote.com

I've done it. You've probably done it. One specific friend of mine does it all the time. It starts innocently enough. You're in a conversation with a friend about keeping up on RSS feeds or blogs or the latest app you're in love with. Your friend says, "Oh yeah, I use [fill in the app YOU used six months ago and are SO over]." Without knowing it you roll your eyes and let a disgusted puff of air escape your lips. You have just become an app snob.

I think this goes along with what fellow ADE, Kyle Pearce mentioned a while back about how we push our colleagues out of the comfort zone and then chastise them when they aren't using what we're using or if we feel they're using something passé or subpar. 

An Entry Point
Yes, responders are not the most modern tech. An iPad or any web-equipped device can do so much more than most responders can. However, sometimes, that's what a teacher can see themselves using or that's the only thing available. If a teacher says, "I want to use responders!" You responding with, "Really?" and an expression akin to smelling rotten eggs, will kill that teacher's enthusiasm guaranteed.

Amazon Wasn't Built In a Day
Do you think drug dealers tell a prospective customer, "Oh....you want crack? Meth is so much better." No...well they might. I don't know drug dealers. Essentially, if you're trying to get your colleagues or teachers to use technology, let them suggest what they'd what to use and then build from there. Start with responders and then have them try out something like Socrative or Infuse Learning. Start with PDFs on an iPad and then move to Google Docs. Use Google Docs as a substitute for Office and then show the teacher how to make a survey. Give that teacher Springpad links enough and that teacher will 1) become more comfortable with the idea and 2) maybe even ask how to create one. Augmented reality might have made QR codes obsolete, but QR codes might be more approachable and that's ok.

You Say Potato, I Say French Fries
Also, keep in mind that people have different needs and like different things. I might be a fan of Diigo for keeping track of my links while you might prefer Delicious. Some people are more visual. Some people are minimalists. Respect that the other person just might like something different and don't be a jerk about it.