Transcript Document

Facilitating a Transformation
in Education
Dialogue on Leadership
Dr.Garry McKinnon
October 9, 2013
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Inspiring Education
Facilitating a Transformation in
Education in Alberta
• Is there a need for a
transformation in
education in Alberta?
• What would a
transformation in the
nature of learning and
teaching in Alberta
schools look like and what
would it take to bring
about the desired change?
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Calgary Science School Story-Use this video
clip prepared by Calgary Science School
teachers and students to generate ideas
relating to innovative practices and facilitators
for bringing about change in learning and
teaching
http://calgaryscienceschool.blogspot.ca/p/ourstory-video.html
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Key observations: Research
Focus; Exemplary Learning
& Teaching Frameworks;
Learner Engagement;
Parental Involvement; Focus
on Community; Building
Social Capital; Disposition
of Inquiry; Effective &
Appropriate use of
Technology;
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Key observations from the
Calgary Science School Story
Hands-on learning, Connected to real life
experiences; Charter goals consistent with
Inspiring Education agenda; Engaged
Thinker- Ethical Citizen with an
Entrepreneurial Spirit; Collaboration
(purposeful); De-privitization of teaching;
Sharing through social media; Partnerships;
Instructional leadership; Teacher engagement;
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New Model of Leadership
Shift from the notion of
the principal as sole
leader of a school to a
distributed leadership
model which allows
specific leadership roles
to be delegated to
individuals with the
requisite motivation,
interest and expertise.
(Leadership
Symposium)
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Action Strategies for a
Transformation in
Education
1. Develop and Articulate
a Shared Vision for
Implementing the
Inspiring Education
Agenda
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2. Make Teaching Practices Open
and Public
If we are going to move
beyond the celebration of
exemplars and best
practices and establish
new practices, we need to
move away from the idea
of teaching as a
solo/isolated activity to a
more public collaborative
model.
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3. Provide Well-informed,
Supportive Leadership
Leaders in education
at all levels, will need
to be very good at
telling the story and
working
collaboratively with
others in developing a
shared vision and
commitment to action.
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4. Actively Involve
Students in Directing
Their Own LearningWe need to develop
new approaches for
hearing the student
voice and authentically
involving students
(instructional leaders)
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5. Create a Culture of Collaboration
at all Levels in Education
Creating a culture
of collaboration at
all levels in
education is the key
to successfully
achieving the
transformational
goals articulated in
Inspiring Education
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6. Partner with Universities in
Enhancing Teacher Preparation and
Professional Learning Experiences
Universities can serve a
major role as change
agents through providing
teacher preparation
experiences and
professional learning
opportunities for teachers
and school administrators
supportive of the Inspiring
Education Agenda
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7.Recognize the important
role for technology as a
means to an end rather than
an end in itself
Technology is not an
isolated island it should be
interconnected with all
aspects of learning and
teaching
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8. Celebrate Diversity as a
Feature of our Classrooms
We need to think not
only in terms of
addressing the diverse
needs of learners but
also promoting
diversity in teaching
practices designed to
intellectually engage
and meet the needs of
all learners
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9.Work together
in making
fundamental
changes in
curriculum and
our approach in
developing
learner
competencies
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10. Promote Research
and the Development of
Research-informed
Pedagogical Practices
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