Good, Great, or Over the Top?

Cake is good.

Chocolate cake is better.

Chocolate cake with creamy chocolate frosting is even better.

Chocolate cake with creamy chocolate frosting and walnuts is great, but getting rich.

Chocolate cake with creamy chocolate frosting and walnuts with whipped cream is still yummy, but it is hard to taste all the flavors.

Chocolate cake with creamy chocolate frosting and walnuts with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream looks amazing, but you may worry that it will not sit too well in your tummy.

Chocolate cake with creamy chocolate frosting and nuts with whipped cream and vanilla ice with sprinkles is starting to be over the top, but you are still tempted to try some. 

….

Chocolate cake with creamy chocolate frosting and walnuts with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream with sprinkles, add some syrup and gum drops, don’t forget a little caramel too, put on a few cherries, maybe even a dollop of peanut butter, let’s not forget some coconut sprinkles and pour on some creme de cassis….and on and on. 

Pretty soon you have something that is indigestible, unrecognizable, unpalatable, and possible a down right mess.  

Technology innovations in schools are often like this over the top cake analogy. Some technology in schools is awesome. More in alluring. Too many discombobulated technology innovations leaves teachers and leaders with rocks in their stomach and swearing off the next big thing. 

Good technology leaders have a vision that is forward reaching but avoids the more is better syndrome. Ask yourself, does the next technology innovation integrate with your vision and existing innovations or is just adding more yummy things to the already overburdened system.

Image Credit: Flickr user Todd Huffman