Are you comfortable with spontaneity, creating a context for learning that is fluid and able to respond to ideas? One of the underpinning factors in the design for Manhattan and The City, the newest precinct at Northern Beaches Christian School, has been to enable the creation of spontaneous spaces. “We have created a structure wherebyContinueContinue reading “Enabling Spontaneous Learning Environments: 5 keys to breaking free of (or within) the 4 walls”
Author Archives: Anne Knock
Does context & culture play a part in the Finnish education story?
After writing the post on phenomenon-based learning in Finland there was a great discussion, comments on the post and a LinkedIn thread. It really makes ideas come alive when we engage in discussion. So thanks to Seetha, Bernadette, Kristina, Rebecca and Matt. The emerging themes were: Curriculum review has collective responsibility and ownership 15 minuteContinueContinue reading “Does context & culture play a part in the Finnish education story?”
How Finland is leading the way, again #phenomenonbasedteaching
The SCIL Vision Tour 2016 will be spending a few days in Finland. This small Nordic nation is in the process of rolling out its new curriculum approach phenomenon-based teaching. Around 15 years ago Finland became the shining light in education achievement, due to its “mouse that roared” status. With a small population and modestContinueContinue reading “How Finland is leading the way, again #phenomenonbasedteaching”
We just want a [insert big idea here]. The three As of culture change
It seems that a lazy long weekend gives enough time to chase down a rabbit hole or two. Each day I receive an update from Medium, a community of readers and writers offering unique perspectives on ideas large and small. Of course, as with most of these things, we sign up with good intentions, but thereContinueContinue reading “We just want a [insert big idea here]. The three As of culture change”
Why travel, why now? 4 reasons to pack your bags #SVT16
I have had the wonderful opportunity to travel professionally since 2008. With my role at SCIL I have visited Scandinavia, Europe, UK, Singapore, USA, New Zealand and Rwanda. For a few years I worked for a international aid organisation and visited schools and child development projects in Burkina Faso and India. Sometimes I pinch myselfContinueContinue reading “Why travel, why now? 4 reasons to pack your bags #SVT16”
What happens when 16 architects & educators travel together in the wintry north? Part 2
We spent five nights based in Copenhagen, including a weekend, which enabled the group to explore city and visited Hellerup Skole and Orestad Gymnasium (Senior High School) both are considered inspirational designs. We were grateful that the principal of Orestad took time to talk about the vision – “the open plan office as a school”. AtContinueContinue reading “What happens when 16 architects & educators travel together in the wintry north? Part 2”
What happens when 16 architects & educators travel together in the wintry north? Part 1
We met for dinner in downtown Helsinki on a Sunday night, our first night. We walked from our hotel through snowy streets to the restaurant, where many of us took the when-in-Rome option and chose reindeer from the menu. It was the first time we’d all been together as a group. By Thursday the group was laughing withContinueContinue reading “What happens when 16 architects & educators travel together in the wintry north? Part 1”
Innovating Education 101: From hierarchical to collegial leadership #innovatorsmindset
Just like the shift from the factory model of schooling, leadership in education (and in life) is transitioning from command and control, centralised power to shared and collegial model. The innovation trajectory of Atlassian, originally an Australian start-up, is remarkable and it has topped the BRW best place to work. Atlassian understands the idea of change and agility:ContinueContinue reading “Innovating Education 101: From hierarchical to collegial leadership #innovatorsmindset”
Innovating Education 101
(This has been prepared to share as a resource for a talk I recently gave.) The key to change is developing strategy by asking three simple questions… Where are we now? Where do we need to be? How do we get there? When I was in school it was like this: One teacher for each classContinueContinue reading “Innovating Education 101”
5 reasons why cultivating creativity in a crazy world is a non-negotiable
Many have watched Brene Brown’s TED talks on the Power of Vulnerability and Listening to Shame. Last week I was travelling down the rabbit warren of finding a new e-book on Amazon, when I came across Brene Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who YouContinueContinue reading “5 reasons why cultivating creativity in a crazy world is a non-negotiable”
culture | learning | design 