I recently attended a GLEAM forum hosted by Hayball, short talks about galleries, libraries, education, the arts or museums, as the acronym suggests. This particular one was titled A Community Living Room: The evolving role of libraries. The speakers were Kim Sherwin from the City of Sydney Libraries and Joy Suliman, from the City ofContinue reading “Libraries: How might we describe them today? A living room, a bedroom, a study, a playground, an office, a friendly place.”
Category Archives: Culture
Designing for Purpose: Clarity around the ‘WHY’ with serious fun!
Like me, you have probably been in workshops and think-tank sessions designed to bring fresh ideas to the surface. Yet, the same-old processes are used and the same-old people take the floor and the same-old solutions are implemented. Senge calls this the problem-fix loop and to uncover fresh ideas this cycle requires deliberate disruption. HowContinue reading “Designing for Purpose: Clarity around the ‘WHY’ with serious fun!”
What could be made possible if schools were driven by empathy?
What could be made possible if schools were driven by empathy? Leadership: A consultative culture prevails Teachers: Focus on learning design not content delivery Students: Feel like they belong and their voice is valued, become co-designers Imagine the scene, I’ve found the perfect sofa. Colour and style matches with my dream for the space. I’veContinue reading “What could be made possible if schools were driven by empathy?”
Four Important Ideas: Learning Environment as the ‘Silent’ Contributor Student Wellbeing
“The physical space influences behaviour and ultimate wellbeing of every member of the community” Dr Helen Street (2018) Student wellbeing is not well-served as an extra program, an add-on to the crowded curriculum, as Dr Street argues in her book, Contextual Wellbeing: Creating positive schools from the inside out, it needs to be part ofContinue reading “Four Important Ideas: Learning Environment as the ‘Silent’ Contributor Student Wellbeing”
Destination Christchurch NZ: An immersive professional learning experience.
Disruption has characterised this city. In February 2011, the land was disrupted by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, causing significant loss of life and severe damage. Then in March 2019, there was ‘human’ disruption, with significant loss of life once again. I see a great sense of community and optimism in the people of Christchurch, whereContinue reading “Destination Christchurch NZ: An immersive professional learning experience.”
CLD Tour 2018: Wish you were here!
CLD: Culture – Learning – Design These three words were the compass guiding this uniquely rich professional learning experience Culture: How might we challenge our own paradigm regarding the people, the content and the context of learning? Learning: How might the experience of school be enhanced and deepened through learner-centred practices? Design: How might weContinue reading “CLD Tour 2018: Wish you were here!”
Paradigm shift: from solo-teacher to teaching team
My professional focus is the future of learning and learning environments. I see that the design of the spaces where learning occurs, plays a significant part in providing the context for the education our students need today. The innovative learning environment (ILE) enables an array of opportunities for student learning, supporting a variety of learningContinue reading “Paradigm shift: from solo-teacher to teaching team”
Relic or really important: Should students call their teachers by their first name
“Sara”, the student shouted down the corridor, “do you have a key to this classroom?” Often when I visit schools in Europe, we are hosted by students who show us around and tell us about their school. On this particular occasion, we faced a locked door. The student noticed the principal at the other endContinue reading “Relic or really important: Should students call their teachers by their first name”
Growing a team culture for collaboration
I always ask myself the question… Are you sure you need to spend so much time on this section? The Design/Engage workshop is based on the idea: Design <insert> to engage <insert>. For example: Design professional learning to Engage teachers Design strategy to Engage your team Design a presentation to Engage your audience And ofContinue reading “Growing a team culture for collaboration”
First things first: Principal as change agent
Before we even begin to think about teacher being a change agent, we first need to ensure the conditions are in place for the principal be an effective agent of change in the school. What do teachers think about the change styles of principals? You may be surprised by what they think. The article “The RelationshipsContinue reading “First things first: Principal as change agent”
