Leading From Behind

Student, to Technology Integration Specialist:  I need some help with this project my teacher assigned.
TIS:  What seems to be the problem?
Student:  I don't know how to do it, and neither does the teacher.
TIS:  Let me just make sure I understand you correctly, your teacher assigned you something they don't know how to do?
Student:  Yes.  It's due tomorrow, and I've got to get it figured out!

I wish this was a rare occurrence, but unfortunately, it isn't.  There are lots of teachers who, for various reasons, have yet to dip a toe into the Technology Integration pool.  Yet, they still assign students to do things with technology tools.

While I give kudos for the effort to integrate technology, I find this situation frustrating.  It is akin to a driver's education instructor who has never driven a car, a wood shop teacher who is afraid of the power tools, or a language arts teacher who still has not learned the difference between they're, their, and there.

You cannot lead where you have not been.