Comments on: Pioneers, Settlers, and Colonists

By: rharmon527

rharmon527 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:33:46 +0000

I first thought I could be described as a pioneer. I have the latest MacBook Pro. I have owned eight different Macintosh computers, all the way back to my Apple IIc. I subscribe to pod casts. I own an pod with an adaptor that transmits the sound through my car stereo ( a good one, I might add). I agree with what Kevin Rochowski posted as he described himself as a ‘Prospector’. He said that he was always on the lookout for something that will provide a return on the time invested. I don’t have the time or energy to be a beta tester anymore. I love technology, I just want it to be meaningful and work correctly all the time. Does that make me a ‘Settler’? My wife says I can’t have an iPhone yet until the price comes down.

By: imriek

imriek — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:33:08 +0000

Which One am I?

I admit it, I AM A Settler! Actually I see a little bit of me in all three areas, but I am definitely more of a Settler than any of the others…

PIONEER- Not Me!
I don’t go out and but the latest and greatest technology equipment on the market. AND I never update the operating system on my computer until at least version 2 is available. I am not a real risk taker, I know the price will go down and the features will be improved if I wait.

I do occasionally BETA test software for companies, that’s really fun, but I don’t get too excited until it is on the market and the bugs are worked out.

I am obsessed with the opportunity to bring new, evolving technologies to the teachers in my district. I love to research a product or web site, make a decision to purchase or use the product and then pilot the product for a period of time to see its effectiveness in the classroom.

SETTLER- I can relate to these guys!
This is the area that I fit into the best. I wait just long enough for most of the bugs to disappear then I jump on the bandwagon and hit the road running! I love to bring the new technologies to the forefront and watch the teacher and students sit in awe of the new technologies.

I guess the main reason than I am a settler is that I need to have a sound educational reason to to purchase or engage in the use of a new technology… I need to know that I am doing it to engage learners, motivate students and help teachers with work productivity and management tools. I look at the value that the product will bring and the total cost of ownership (TCO) which includes the product cost, level of technology needed and the training and support services required.

COLONIST- Not my style…
I am definitely not a colonist… If it is a technology worth having or using, I will work hard to make sure the district finds the funds to purchase it. I may not be the first one on the block to have the latest and greatest new technology, but I will be the second kid in line researching to make sure that it is of value to our students and teachers…

By: ningrande

ningrande — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:35:19 +0000

I think that I am stuck between a Settler and a Colonist. I am definitely not a Pioneer, because I can’t afford to be financially. I would love to get into every new technology there is, but I stick to the ones that are more affordable. Prior to joining the Edtec program, I was definitely a colonist. I could careless about what technologies were coming out. I only used what was going to benefit me, which was basically email and my cellphone. I am still a little that way, but I am now listening and looking for new things that are coming out or things that were already there that I could use, like edublogs and wikispaces. I wish I new how to use them before the last school year, but I am definitely going to use them next year.

I guess you could call me a future rookie settler.

By: suhilives

suhilives — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:25:30 +0000

I have to say that I am a settler, although my friends would probably describe me as a pioneer. I love gadgets, but rarely do i go out and buy them right away. I always have to research and find out what other users in my situation think. I say in my situation because I can’t just go by what a normal user would say about a product. For example, when the new Mac Pro came out a few months ago, I waited to see what other video editors thought about it and how it functioned with the software I would be using. As I read, I found out there were some bugs, so I waited. Did I upgrade? Of course! It’s a quad core dual processor which means it will be more efficient…right?

In the end it does come down to whether or not i need it, and whether it will make me more efficient. The pioneer deep down inside of me, as well as my friends, tell me to go get an iphone, but until I can be convinced that for my needs it will be more efficient than my trusty, no upgrade needing Treo, I’m going to stick with what works. But man, do I love gadgets!

By: mamim

mamim — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:21:40 +0000

Well, I’m a settler who secretly desires to be a pioneer. Settler because I am pretty loyal to what works but try use new versions of it. However, I admit, I want to run out and buy things as soon as I get the email from Apple, however the settler in me calms down the pioneer and I usually wait till it’s got a good rep and gone through beta testing. Right now my latest obsession in the LG Dare from Verizon. The pioneer in me wants to run out and buy it! It’s fun to be a pioneer, but in the end, settlers are, “This person is less enamored with the new technology, and more interested in the value that it provides.”
That’s me!

By: Richard Dysinger

Richard Dysinger — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:25:22 +0000

I’m a settler. It’s important to me that the technology that I utilize be safe and sound. I suppose it comes down to being extremely cheap and I do not want to waste any money. It’s easier for me to wait until it’s time tested and market worthy to purchase it. I keep thinking about Blue-Ray disc versus HD and how that played out. Somewhere out there someone is rocking out to eight tracks while wtaching laser discs. Besides, it’s still new to me even when it’s been on the market already for several years.

By: jliebke

jliebke — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:30:25 +0000

Oh yeah–often by waiting and observing what others experience, a better version comes along. I just saw an add for the new iphone. I’d be bummed if I’d spent all the money on the first one right now.

By: jliebke

jliebke — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:59:57 +0000

I would consider myself a settler for very much the same reason as Tedd–“This person is less enamored with the new technology, and more interested in the value that it provides.”

There should be another category–an explorer. Explorers are paid to discover. Pioneers come next–those who hear about the new and throw caution to the wind. If I got a new gadget for free, I’d try anything.

My mind is always open to the latest and greatest, however, my wallet or loyalty stops me from taking advantage of gadgets and my desire for privacy stops me from taking advantage of internet technology. Let me explain:

I really want an iphone. Why don’t I have one? First of all, when given the choice, I’d rather travel or buy a house than buy a gadget and since I’ve been saving for Europe for the last 2 years, I couldn’t justify spending $300+ on a new gadget, not to mention the increase in my monthly expenses for adding internet service to my phone. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love the ability to access the technology, but I want to use the money for other things–I have a GPS, I have a laptop with WiFi, I had a camera (until recently), I have an ipod, and I have a cell phone–sure I’d love to have all in one, but the iphone won’t replace my computer or a decent camera and the new technology would cost near $1000 the first year, $700 each year after, and I don’t want to spend that kind of money at this time. Lastly, and probably most important, I am happy with Verizon and I wasn’t happy with AT&T’s customer service when I was with them. Shouldn’t that count for something, too?

Now with the internet, when I heard of MySpace, for instance, I also heard so many breeches in privacy that compromised teachers. I think My Space seems cool, but I don’t want jeopardize my job by having students pry too much. Facebook came along later, however, and for whatever reason, it offered me a little more comfort/security and I joined. I can’t explain why, it was just an instinct. In hindsight, I’m so glad I waited awhile, because I hooked onto Flock, and it’s all interconnected so I’m pleased.

I guess as adventurous as I am, I am also cautious and price conscious which makes me a settler.

By: amyrauen

amyrauen — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:28:16 +0000

I think I’m a Colonist. or maybe even beyond. I never have the latest anything. I have a first generation iPod (not because I bought it myself; it was a gift), an earbud rather than a Blue Tooth, and I just got a Razr cell this year. I’ve never even heard of Twitter, much less use it, and prefer handwritten invitations over evites. I’m cool with not buying a plasma-screen TV until my current TV breaks, and Tetris on my original GameBoy is STILL fun!

By: room207

room207 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:08:59 +0000

In most cases, I am a settler, while in others I am a colonist. I love technology and learning what is new, but I do not adopt until there is adequate support. I don’t mess with beta versions and usually wait. I do not actively search new ways to do things, but through this program I have been exposed to many tools that I am experimenting with, but not a pioneer. When it comes to technology in the classroom, I know I am a settler (although on my campus I am the pioneer – that does not say a lot about me but rather about my colleagues). I am comfortable being a settler because change is sometimes difficult, and based on the description of pioneer, your would have to constantly drop what you have learned to learn something new.