I’ve just undertaken some underwhelming research amongst my Facebook community. I asked them to indicate if they clearly saw an image in this old photo by liking it, or if they didn’t, then comment ‘no’. (I did let them know that it wasn’t an intelligence test.) Most people could make out the subject of theContinue reading "Direct instruction: It does not explain everything, nor does it explain nothing, but it does explain some things."
Early learning & pre-school education needs a brand makeover – it’s so much more than ‘childcare’
This week, a historic pay case was lodged in Australia that will test the work of the child care educator against industry standards. A number of reasons for this have been cited in the media, including the rates of pay for equivalently qualified educators in the school sector and the fact that this industry hasContinue reading "Early learning & pre-school education needs a brand makeover – it’s so much more than ‘childcare’"
“I’ve been endorsed for what?” LinkedIn endorsements aren’t as good as personal connections
Each time I log on to LinkedIn I find that another person has kindly (thank you) endorsed me. Sometimes I know the endorsee, at other times, I don't. On the LinkedIn Blog last year the opportunity to endorse was announced: Give kudos with just one click: On LinkedIn, you have many smart, talented, and skilled professionalContinue reading "“I’ve been endorsed for what?” LinkedIn endorsements aren’t as good as personal connections"
Lessons for schools from a book retailer that is reversing the trend: Dymocks trumps Borders
In 2013 Australia's 130 year old Dymocks bookstores are still standing. In fact, the iconic bookstore chain claims to have sold more books last year than ever before. Dymocks Managing Director, Steve Cox believes bookstores have a tremendous future. “Book stores attract customers to shopping centres,” he says. “People will stop coming to shopping centres ifContinue reading "Lessons for schools from a book retailer that is reversing the trend: Dymocks trumps Borders"
“If you have a choice between a great teacher and a smaller class, go for a great teacher” 10 steps to greatness
Education policy adviser to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Andreas Schleicher said, "too much money had been spent reducing class sizes, instead of boosting teacher performance". Northern Beaches Christian School, is becoming known as one of the world’s most innovative schools. Each week we host individuals and groups from across Australia and aroundContinue reading "“If you have a choice between a great teacher and a smaller class, go for a great teacher” 10 steps to greatness"
The culture of innovation is a necessity for change: Are you a culture crusher or culture creator?
As I look at this little guy at school in Rwanda I am reminded how much we need a culture of innovation - one that thinks differently about today's (and yesterday's) normality. We must bring solutions necessary to change lives that will improve the future. Solutions for today's big problems exist, we have the capacityContinue reading "The culture of innovation is a necessity for change: Are you a culture crusher or culture creator?"
Women & Leadership: It’s not a level playing field, but that doesn’t mean we don’t play at all
This week Julia Gillard, Australia’s first female Prime Minister was ousted after the leadership sore that had been festering under the surface finally broke through. It was probably the most significant political event in Australia for almost 40 years. Leadership is a tough business, and for women it is even tougher. There is not aContinue reading "Women & Leadership: It’s not a level playing field, but that doesn’t mean we don’t play at all"
Leadership is hard… facing the facts & charting the course, it’s not all smooth sailing
...and if your are only looking for smooth sailing, you're probably not leading. For our northern hemisphere colleagues about to take to the sun and enjoy some obviously well-deserved downtime, we in the southern hemisphere are in the ‘bleak midwinter’, well, as bleak as beautiful Sydney can get. It’s halfway through the year and thereContinue reading "Leadership is hard… facing the facts & charting the course, it’s not all smooth sailing"
Leadership challenge: 4 ways to flip the ownership from the leader to the team
"One of the greatest compliments given to me during my rugby days was following a training session in England when a rather embarrassed Australian journalist approached me. He informed me that one of the Fringe Wallabies* had told him that it was in fact the players and the assistant coaches who did the most ofContinue reading "Leadership challenge: 4 ways to flip the ownership from the leader to the team"
Overcrowded schools an opportunity to disrupt not maintain the status quo. The current model is broken.
Students in Sydney’s North Shore government schools are overcrowded. The solution seems to be a simple mathematical equation. If we need to accommodate 360 more students , we need to form 12 classes and then find 12 classrooms in which to house them: 360 ÷ 30 = 12. Simple. Presumably, it also means that every studentContinue reading "Overcrowded schools an opportunity to disrupt not maintain the status quo. The current model is broken."
culture | learning | design 