As an observer-reporter-connector at large for #FUSE14 this coming week, I will try to flesh out some of the larger meanings and lessons, particularly for those who are not able to attend in person. A foundational skill of great thinking is asking questions, especially the kind of questions that expand the framework of possible outcomes. As [...]
One of the premier opportunities for K-12 educators to learn about and practice the power of design thinking takes place this week in Atlanta, and I am honored to be invited to attend as a sort of “reporter/connector-at-large”. From now through June 26, my blog will be focused on #FUSE14; during the actual conference June [...]
What if faculty and staff viewed their individual and collective affinities through the lenses of learning and pedagogy rather than the silos of class, department, division, or office? What if faculty, staff, students, parents, and trustees engaged in strategic-level thinking together, on a frequent basis, collaboratively and transparently aligning school resources directly in support of [...]
Design thinking is not a product, a deliverable, or a stand alone process. Used to maximum advantage it is a mindset, an approach, a system of practice. An analogy comes to mind: some see yoga as stretching or working out in a hot gym. Those who embrace the mindset of yogic practice reap greater rewards than [...]
Yep, I am going to crow a bit over the wonderfully generous comments I have received on my new book from some of our true educational thought leaders! Yong Zhao...author, researcher, visionary...who many of us follow closely (and if you don't, you should), has written extensively on the sharp dissonance between test-focused learning and what we [...]
I am SO excited to announce that my new book, #EdJourney: A Roadmap to the Future of Education, is now available for pre-order...and with a nice pre-order discount on Amazon. I just had a call with a head of school who is ordering 150 copies for his faculty and staff! Delivery is in early September. [...]
What would schools look like if educators could challenge, change, or discard something significant at their school? As many of you know I have challenged a wide variety of educators to contributed to a crowd-sourced knowledge base by asking "What if...?" questions that reflect this kind of expansive thinking. Over the last 15 months I [...]
In just 12 months, The Martin Institute, operating out of one small office in a modest-sized boy's school in Memphis, arguably one of the most economically challenged mid-sized cities in America, has hosted three major educational learning events for a total of 2,000+ educators from all over the country. For some, these have been the first [...]
Here is a great interview article with Jay Scheurle, head of The Miami Valley School, on the work we are doing at the school. I think it is a leading edge approach to defining a unique vision; creating a system-wide implementation plan in support of that vision; and building long-term institutional capacity for change and innovation. [...]
What is the balance between academic freedom for teachers to choose their own pathways in their own classrooms, and ensuring a strong collective all-school vision? How does the effective leader find this balance? Many (most?) teachers are extremely protective of how they choose to carry out their role in the classroom. In both public and [...]