Category Archives: Education

Authentic student agency + school design

It can be a lonely life, writing a PhD thesis. It involves ready some really interesting papers, the kind of thing you would share with a colleague. And as educators, we are sharers, aren’t we, so I’m sharing. A research study I read this week painted a very interesting picture of engaging students in theContinueContinue reading “Authentic student agency + school design”

The empathic learning environment: Sit where they sit

We often say that empathy is like walking in another’s shoes or seeing the world through their eyes. But what about sitting in their seat? Empathy is considering another’s perspective on a situation. We can view this from an emotional or cognitive perspective, but what if we thought about it from a physical space paradigm?ContinueContinue reading “The empathic learning environment: Sit where they sit”

“Back to Basics” – Our education minister doesn’t disappoint. But what really matters?

We were all waiting for it.  In the light of Australia’s PISA results, we knew that our politicians wouldn’t let us down and the headline confirmed it: Education Minister pushes for ‘back to basics’ approach in schools Australian’s Minister for Education is quoted as saying “schools need to renew their focus on literacy and numeracyContinueContinue reading ““Back to Basics” – Our education minister doesn’t disappoint. But what really matters?”

Evolution of learning culture: Why are we here?

“The evolution of learning culture is the most critical work educators need to do inside schools today” Timeless Learning – How Imagination, Observation and Zero-Based Thinking Change Schools by Ira Socol, Pam Moran and Chad Ratliff (p.24) My work is around ‘culture’ and every school, organisation, business and family, has its own culture. Culture eats strategy forContinueContinue reading “Evolution of learning culture: Why are we here?”

From “masterpiece” to “chaos” in one year: What can we learn about designing for people-first?

https://ny.curbed.com/2019/8/23/20828580/long-island-city-queens-public-library-opening-date This is the story of a library in Long Island, from its opening to a little over a year later. Landmark projects carry a lot of responsibility. Visually, aesthetically they make a mark, but still need to work for the people. “I’m sure that they didn’t have kids, because as a parent, you knowContinueContinue reading “From “masterpiece” to “chaos” in one year: What can we learn about designing for people-first?”

Leading change and innovation by design: Who’s on your mini-bus?

Last week someone asked me, “How would you describe what you do?” You might think professional traveller, designer, speaker, facilitator, and there probably is plenty of reason for thinking that, and I do those things. But I’m a ‘gut instinct’ kind of person and the first thought was… “transform culture” I think about, live, breatheContinueContinue reading “Leading change and innovation by design: Who’s on your mini-bus?”

Imagining the outside environment: For learning, social connection, health, wellbeing… and FUN!

What are your memories of the playground from school? I remember dust bowls and knee-grazing asphalt (with the scars to prove it). I can speak from experience, as I went to three primary schools and two high schools. One school playground stood out above the others, Gymea North Public School in southern Sydney.  Source: https://www.gymeanorthps.com.au/ContinueContinue reading “Imagining the outside environment: For learning, social connection, health, wellbeing… and FUN!”

Libraries: How might we describe them today? A living room, a bedroom, a study, a playground, an office, a friendly place.

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 ofContinueContinue reading “Libraries: How might we describe them today? A living room, a bedroom, a study, a playground, an office, a friendly place.”

6 Principles to support longevity and health in co-teaching teams: Reflecting on my own experience

I commenced my teaching career unconventionally, as a teacher-librarian. ‘Literature and library skills’, that was about the extent of the briefing for the job.   Me, circa 1982, taking a ‘Library Lesson’ whatever that was? A few years later, I faced my very first class of Year 1 students. Who in their right mind wouldContinueContinue reading “6 Principles to support longevity and health in co-teaching teams: Reflecting on my own experience”