Leading Curriculum Change

John West-Burnham

Why Change?

1. From 19 th Century schools to 21 st Century education 2. Learning for the 21 st 3. The impact of information technology 4. Social change 5. Economic change 6. A new political order 7. Global warming Century

Educating for the 21 st Century

• From information to knowledge • From content to skills and qualities • Literacy and numeracy as the core

A new curriculum

- Thinking, problem solving and decision

making

- Self management - Working with others, emotional literacy - Managing information, ICT - Creativity

Rethinking the Curriculum

Developing a Curriculum for the 21 st Century

• Build on existing strengths • Empower teachers to use professional

judgement

• Rethink the learning process • Recognise the changing context of

schools

• See schooling as a cumulative process

From managing change to leading innovation

Levels of change

Shallow Deep Profound

Fallacies in the management of change

• Change is linear • Change is predictable • Change can be controlled • Change can be managed

The 6i’s

1. Introspection 2. Investigation 3. Inclusion 4. Innovation 5. Implementation 6. Insight

Philadelphia School of the Future Microsoft Innovative Schools Program

The qualities of change leaders

• A commitment to personal change • Comfort with complexity and

ambiguity

• High moral confidence • A compelling vision • Interpersonal engagement • A willingness to challenge authority • Personal resilience and sustainability

Change as an emotional experience

• Investment in the status-quo • Life histories • Psychological contracts • Cultural imperatives

Creating a culture for innovation

• Alignment on purpose and values • High trust – a learning community • Collaboration and interdependence • Openness to innovation and risk • Shared leadership • Celebration