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 of …
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 Relationships …
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Innovating learning environments: 4 ways to think about sustaining change
We love the photos of cool learning spaces with funky furniture They are captivating, inspiring, but it is impossible to know the full story from a tweeted photo. Recently I’ve had numerous opportunities to talk about the context for change and several resonating themes are emerging around people and change: That chair/table/tech won’t be the silver bullet It's …
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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 minute …
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10 ideas to encourage an entrepreneurial mindset at school
There are immense opportunities for this generation of students. Demographer Bernard Salt found that the development of new technology also creates new opportunities for entrepreneurs: Connectivity will impact on all types of jobs, even those not strictly in the technology space - but they will make greater use of technology. According to Salt a culture …
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Community Resilience: Learning from Christchurch
Enroute to Christchurch this morning I picked up a copy of TIME and read this article Bounce back: Scientists know what some people rebound so well from setbacks. By Mandy Oaklander The study found that factors like having a tight-knit community, a stable role model and a strong belief in their ability to solve problems …
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Onboarding our new staff – Getting the 3Cs right: culture, conventions and connections #onboardNBCS
What happens when I step onboard a plane? Well, I’m about to *start an adventure. I’m going someplace with a bunch of other people. *There is a team of helpful people on hand to get me where I need to go and help me along the way. I may (or may not) engage with my …
A community of peace: It depends on me #Ichoosepeace
Hardly a day goes by when we don’t see peace shattered, either on a global level or a local level. Why do we pursue peace? What is the point of upholding peace as a virtue? At this time of the year the word ‘Peace’ has front of stage. It's on Christmas cards, street signs and …
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Back in the game: My new rules for social media engagement #itsnotallaboutme
"No leader can afford to lead as they did in the Industrial Age. This is a new era with new rules. All around us, the entire world is flattening, democratising, and socialising." (HBR) I've been relatively quiet on social media over the last few months. Sometimes it's good to reassess and rethink what we do and why …
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A very personal reflection on faith in the richness of community: Freedom of – not from – religion
There is a debate in Australia about Christian influence in schools, as recipients of public funds. Many see faith represented across society as a relic of the past. As a Christian I live my faith in everyday life and I am unable to separate who I am and what I do from what I believe. …
