A gardener spends time with seeds and the dynamics of seeds Gardeners learn things about seeds Not all planted seeds will germinate Not all that germinate will survive Not all of the food that may be produced will be eaten by humans – ground hogs, deer, rabbits, raccoons, . . . may get to
Thinking About: Words – Frames – and Change
Kim Cameron of the University of Michigan organized these words in a certain way to illustrate a point. I have mixed them up. Here is the mixed up list of his words. PLEASE CONSIDER RESPONDING TO THE TWO QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW BEFORE READING THE REST OF THE POST. By responding I mean grab a piece
Learning is a consequence of thinking. —David Perkins, Smart Schools
Professional learning communities are more myth than reality if teachers operate independently and in isolation from each other (Hord, 1997). Working productively in such groups requires the ability to justify ideas and to test the feasibility of solutions on others. It also requires the openness and willing spirits of individuals to accept feedback from their
A Community of Thought
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY OF THOUGHT? WHY COMMUNITIES OF THOUGHT? WHAT MAKES THINKING INTERDEPENDENT? HOW ARE CAPACITIES FOR INTERDEPENDENT THINKING DEVELOPED? HOW ARE COMMUNITIES OF THOUGHTS SUSTAINED? Here are responses to these questions chosen by Laura Lipton & Bruce Wellman WHAT IS A COMMUNITY OF THOUGHT? A [community of thought embraces a] process through which
Connected Learning
I am a teacher. I believe that all students can learn. I also believe that ‘for all students to learn’ we adults have some important thinking to do together. In an attempt to stimulate serious thinking around this the topic of Connected Thinking I pose these questions: Is the role of schooling to deliver content
Leadership Styles and Irony . . .
Below you will find a link to a chapter from the book: Handbook of organization development By Thomas G. Cummings, Sage Publications that looks at a comparison of four general strategies that a leader my employ. Truthfully not all leaders can effectively lead from all four strategies. Some are ‘tellers’,
It is worth our effort to begin this journey toward developing our social brain
From my point of view, the challenge of being intentional about connecting – mind-to-mind is worth accepting – because the stakes are so very high. I believe that we live in times where interdependent thinking holds real value for all mankind. People engaging in conversations where transformation has the potential of occurring are people who can help
I might STILL be in Third Grade
I am not happy to report that if the law Michigan is considering passing which would keep third graders in third grade until they learn to read would mean I might still be there. That is true because I was a non reader in third grade. And more
Thinking Together, Working Together and Playing Together
CBS News presents a story that makes a strong case for thinking together, working together and playing together as very good things. This is a story of Michigan middle school that plan and implemented actions that made a difference for a fellow student and potentially helped many others to see the value of their motives
The Complexity of Thinking Together: The Emotional Challenges of the Socail Brain
I might not know; I have to think in public; I might be wrong; I might be judged by others . . . Thinking with others does not necessarily come easy for any of us. We may want to think well with others and at the same time we may look at thinking well together