I was invited to be part of a schools’ start of the year faculty day (virtually). Teachers had the choice to take part in two of several different offerings on this day and then select one of those topics for extension sessions during the first semester.
Here is what I was asked to address:
- How do we create a school environment where educators engage in ongoing professional learning through collegial reflection, hypothesis formation and implementation, and peer coaching?
- How do teachers generate the same elements of reflection, hypothesis formation and implementation, and coaching among students as they focus on building global competencies. What should students be doing and experiencing to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and habits to equip them to thrive in a rapidly evolving world?
I have done a lot of study and presentation on creating continuous learning environments for teachers. This opportunity caused me to dig a little deeper into engaging teachers in considering innovations around creating opportunities to have students develop needed emerging knowledge, skills, attitudes, and habits.
Here are some of the resources I used:
I had the opportunity last year to attend a Ted Dintersmith keynote at an international conference. He is an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and advocate for education reform, best known for his efforts to transform the educational landscape through his work on the documentary film, “Most Likely to Succeed” and his book, “What Schools Could Be.”
Dintersmith’s work centers on the idea that the traditional education system, with its emphasis on standardized testing and rote learning, fails to prepare students for the complexities of the modern world. “What Schools Could Be” highlights innovative schools and educators who are shifting toward more student-centered learning, critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving, aiming to empower students to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.
I found this video clip where Dintersmith is being interviewed. I pulled two four- minute sections for generating conversations among the teachers. The first beginning at 12:40, asks Dintersmith, “ How do we attract teachers who want to do the innovation necessary for the kind of learning students need?” His answer suggests that most teachers seek these opportunities, and we need to support that.
- Most teachers enter the profession with a long view of preparing students for the future, not for a test.
- Asks teachers, “What do you think would spark your students’ interest? What would you like to try?”
- Most teachers are energized when their students are energized. Teachers need permission and encouragement to go for that spark.
- To what extent does the current practice of assessment demoralize teachers? “If a computer can grade the test, it can probably do the test.
I followed this clip with breakout room group reflections.
When do you find teaching to be most energizing for you? What are your students doing and experiencing at that time?
The second 4 minute clip I used (which begins immediately following the first one) asks Dintersmith, “ Considering technology and AI, what is your prediction for jobs in the future?”
- Many jobs will be eliminated, every job will be changed
- While jobs you can apply for will likely decrease, the career paths you can create will be unlimited
- Quoting an Apple Executive, “An employee who needs a boss is no longer employable.”
- How do schools current practices cause students to get good at things being sought less and diminish the things that adults will need to do to thrive?
Returning to the same breakout groups, folks explored this question.
After some discussion time I added this question and sample list to the conversation.
I am looking forward to extending the conversation with those who select this choice for the fall sessions. Exit ticket comments reported that teachers made the connection between teachers’ continuous learning generating changing teacher practices that lead to changing student outcomes.
If you are looking for a thought partner as you plan for addressing similar topics, drop me a note.
