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Creating A Computer-Enhanced Geology Learning Environment
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Discussion 2. Faculty and students discuss the personal characteristics necessary to the success of reform efforts
As we stated in the section on Personal Resources, determination was a characteristic that helped Eric overcome the obstructions that stood in the way of his reform efforts. For instance, despite the little time that Eric had in addition to his regular schedule at the university, he decided that bringing helpful technology into his classroom was something that was too important to neglect.
Eric: A lot of the things I have done in terms of figuring things out [technologically] are things that I just decided I wanted to pursue. Often times it was to help solve a problem. The only way that you get something done that is new and different is you just decide you are going to do it and at the same time do your normal duties.
One Central Administrator told us that it is not just other duties that can get in the way, but even fellow faculty members.
Central Administrator: Eric really is a pioneer and all pioneers carry with them a double edged sword. The pioneer part is he has his eye twenty years down the road. And in that way some people support him greatly. In other ways, people say he is just off in the wilderness, he doesn't know what he is talking about. So, I would say he is a scientific pioneer in education.
Also, in departing from traditional academic methods, Eric has had to exercise determination after having suffered professionally for his emphasis on education.
Kris Stewart, Math and Computer Science Professor (Eric's colleague): One of the things I would like to pass on to other people would be about this enthusiasm that Eric has and his selflessness at putting so much of his effort into things that benefit his class-often at the expense, perhaps, of the professional recognition that he should have.
And has all of his determination paid off? According to his department chair, Gary Girty, yes.
Gary: The lesson that I've learned from watching Eric over the last 17 years is, "Always look to the future. Always stick to what you're after." He's been incredibly successful, phenomenally successful at what he does.
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