It is very easy to come up with the good ideas, someone says “we should do [insert idea here]”. Unless ideas flow from a bold compelling vision, we are merely making the existing paradigm a little shinier. Programs are great, but only when they are part of the strategy to achieve the overall vision AContinueContinue reading “Horse first, then the cart: Vision before programs”
Category Archives: Innovation and Creativity
Navigating the 21st Century: A reality check amidst constant change
In education and in life in general we are in the midst of immense change, which can be unsettling and disturbing. Much of that is because we assume that our current life experiences have been the norm forever, when in reality, it has only been within our lifetime. As I have written about before, whenContinueContinue reading “Navigating the 21st Century: A reality check amidst constant change”
21st Century PD: Its time to catch up! 8 ideas for engaging adults
I smiled to myself as I considered the irony of the conference presenter decrying the ‘sage on the sage’ as she herself was the ‘sage on the stage’. Isn’t it time that the educational community addressed the context and delivery of professional learning? Our challenge is to be able to blend expert knowledge and experienceContinueContinue reading “21st Century PD: Its time to catch up! 8 ideas for engaging adults”
What do we need in Australia to transform schools? A vision for education with the learner at its heart.
This week thousands of Australian school students will sit the NALPLAN tests – National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy. Results of these tests will form the basis of ranking Australian schools on the My School website. “The US is taking a U-turn away from test-based accountability,” said Professor Darling-Hammond. ”We hope not to meetContinueContinue reading “What do we need in Australia to transform schools? A vision for education with the learner at its heart.”
A new vision for a new paradigm: An open letter to the Australian School Education Minister
There is a groundswell for change, yet until there is a vision for educational reform at the highest level, then we are doing a disservice to the great majority of our young people and our nation. Dear Mr Garrett, It’s time. Time to shake up the school education system in this country. Not just forContinueContinue reading “A new vision for a new paradigm: An open letter to the Australian School Education Minister”
Aligning space with teaching and learning: Ideas from Kunskapsskolan
Successful schools align the space with teaching and learning – in other words, space supports and motivates new dynamics in the way that teachers and pupils work together. (from The Centre for School Design) I am working on the itinerary for a study tour we are hosting in October this year, to take a groupContinueContinue reading “Aligning space with teaching and learning: Ideas from Kunskapsskolan”
From boulders to pebbles: How social media is growing a professional community
Many educators don’t understand the value of Twitter to their professional growth, especially how ideas of significance can be presented in only 140 characters. So I’ve asked a few of my colleagues about their social media experiences. It’s interesting to see how the business-end of town is embracing social media. Here’s a quote from anContinueContinue reading “From boulders to pebbles: How social media is growing a professional community”
140 characters x 8 ways = Tweeting for purpose
I don’t really care what you had for breakfast. I don’t have anything to say Why would anybody follow me? It’s just a fad! A while ago I attended a seminar about learning, along with about 100 or so other educators. My colleagues and I are keen tweeters and we decided to take notes usingContinueContinue reading “140 characters x 8 ways = Tweeting for purpose”
Schools + Change: Resisting or embracing
Change often fails because the Rider can’t keep the Elephant on the road long enough to reach the destination.* The journey for change at Northern Beaches Christian School (NBCS) began in earnest about six years ago, when the principal, Stephen Harris, recognised a few key things: The world is changing rapidly – at a paceContinueContinue reading “Schools + Change: Resisting or embracing”
Motivation: We don’t need more carrots or sharper sticks
What really motivates us to do good, meaningful, satisfying work? You may be surprised to know that science tells is it’s not just about the money. At the recent Apple Education Leadership Summit, Dan Pink drew on the science of motivation to challenge commonly held assumptions about motivation and then outlined the three true motivators.ContinueContinue reading “Motivation: We don’t need more carrots or sharper sticks”
culture | learning | design 