Showing posts with label school culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school culture. Show all posts

Sunday, November 13, 2016

10 thoughts on school culture:

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Tuesday, November 4, 2014

10 ways to transform the way we do education

1). Let's take what the most innovative and progressive companies are doing and try and replicate it within our schools... Far too often education is behind and lacking when it comes to what is happening in everyday society. Education is constantly in a state of reaction and is very rarely setting the tone for what happens in the lives of most. Education should be learning from the trend-setting companies and organizations that are leading the way rather than constantly responding to the trends being set by others.

2). Let's require and build time into the schedule for teachers to go observe other teachers... There's no argument that teachers observing other teachers is one of the best forms of professional growth, yet we don't require it or build time into the everyday schedule for teachers to do it. Let's hire a few more teachers so we can free up some time and then let's get teachers learning from other teachers. A more effective teaching staff for a few extra dollars sounds like a good investment to me.

3). Let's revamp, revisit, and retarget our hiring procedures and practices... The hiring practice and general education system tend to reward and attract very conservative, very 'safe', and very predictable educators. Most in education played the game of school very well and thrived in the traditional school setting. Maybe it's time we hired a few folks who didn't fit the mold and those who maybe bucked the system from time-to-time... maybe we need some folks who didn't thrive in the traditional system to help us see how we can improve it for everyone...

4). Let's eliminate the ridiculous practice of having bells and having each and every second a student is at school consumed with 'tasking...' We jam pack every single day at school for students and most (including educators) barely have any time to eat lunch or go to the restroom. We believe that any time not structured is lost time and wasted time, but in reality we are turning school into a job for many of our students. The most innovative companies know ideas and learning need time to simmer and take time to cook... we need to ensure we build this kind of time into the typical school day and we can't just focus on time utilization, but rather on time maximization.

5). Let's start using the 'wasted' spaces in our buildings for learning... Enough said.

6). Let's commit to having students create as much as they consume... When we simply have our students consume information, they are merely taking and giving nothing back. Of course, our kids need to know some stuff before they can do too much, but when our kids consume it should be with the goal of creating something even better in return.

7). Let's require administrators to teach a general education class as part of their administrative duties... If administrators are the instructional leaders in their buildings, then they need to be in the 'trenches' with teachers demonstrating and showcasing their skills. This practice is used in countries around the world, and if we truly value the expertise of our building leaders, then they need opportunities to keep the saw sharp by working with students in a classroom setting.

8). Let's make a commitment to providing more unstructured time for exploration and discovery... The makerspace movement is gaining moment for a reason, and it's because kids are encouraged to explore and discover by creating, tinkering, taking apart, and building. We need more learning spaces in our schools and in our classrooms for kids to do unstructured learning and untethered exploration. Sure, things won't work and lots of stuff will fail, but it's in failure that true learning becomes possible.

9). Let's make opportunities and access to resources a higher priority than just salary... So, don't get me wrong, money matters and money is important. But, what if instead of giving folks more money for simply being a year older, we focused on providing those who demonstrate a willingness, commitment to, and learner-centered mindset, opportunities and resources that not everyone gets? What if our rockstars got the best and newest technologies before others? What if our innovators and risk-takers got opportunities to attend the best and biggest learning conferences? It's not about being fair and equitable, it's about recognizing and rewarding those who are doing what's best for kids.

10). Lastly and most importantly... let's stop holding onto and wishing what was will return and replace that mindset with taking full advantage of what could be and will be... We can't let our simple and closed adult minds get in the way of the mind of a child which sees no limits and barriers. Our top priority as educators should be to ensure kids leave the same way as they found us in regard to their free-flowing and open-minded approach to life.


So, let's start transforming... the world needs you.


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Saturday, July 12, 2014

What if schools were more like Facebook?

Recently I had the opportunity to get a tour of Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, California. The couple hours I spent there were quite the experience and I couldn't help but think about how culture really affects and impacts overall organization success.


I had to get a picture at the main Facebook sign at the entrance.


This is a picture of one of the many open spaces that exist on the Facebook campus. As you can see, the chairs and environment are quite inviting for both workers and visitors.


This is a picture of one of the other main open spaces on the campus. The campus has buildings that make up the perimeter while the middle parts of the campus are open and used as travel spaces to the different buildings. 


This is a panoramic picture of the main food court area. At Facebook, they provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to all employees and all visitors. The goal of this is to make the work environment as convenient and hospitable as possible. Teams and colleagues frequently eat meals together in an effort to enhance collaboration and team bonding experiences.


This is another one of the many spaces that employees may use to get some fresh air, sit and eat and take advantage of a different space. The entire campus is WiFi ready so employees are able to work anywhere on site.


Another open space... employees at Facebook are encouraged to go and walk around campus for their meetings as opposed to sitting down and talking. This model encourages physical activity as well as increased productivity and creativity as a result of the large open campus.


What's trending on #twitter wall at Facebook... you have to know what's being said to stay ahead of the curve.


This is a bike repair shop that is on site. Many employees bring their own bikes to travel around campus and this shop ensures everyone has an operational bike. Not pictured, but there is also a dry cleaning/laundry service available to all employees on site.


In all of the working spaces there are kitchens that are stocked with every kind of breakfast/snack food you could imagine. When you need a snack or a brain break to avoid being hangry, just get up and get something.


You can't have a snack without something to drink...


This is a vending machine with 'tech' equipment one may need at work. If you forget your iPhone charger at home, come to this machine and get one. If you need a keyboard for your computer, come down and get one. If you need batteries for your mouse, come down and get them. Though this comes at no charge to the employee, the prices are listed next to each item so employees see first hand what it costs the company to provide this service.

This image isn't from my visit. The image is via Lifehacker: http://goo.gl/I4dlGj

This is a typical working space at Facebook. As you can see, some desks are lower than others. Every desk has the ability to go down for sitting and every desk has the ability to raise for standing. There are no traditional offices at Facebook as employees are expected to work collaboratively in open and 'unsiloed' spaces.


When you need a break from working stop on by the arcade to get your creative juices flowing. There are also spaces in the arcade to sit and work if you just need a different 'space.'


Massive BBQ stands are set up on a daily basis because everyone likes to eat the occasional BBQ.


Be sure to stop by the Facebook Wall and write something before you leave. Many of the spaces and walls at Facebook are covered in IdeaPaint as each space is designed for open and transparent thinking/collaboration.


So, obviously Facebook is a little different than the traditional school or school district, but I'm sure there is something education can learn from their culture. I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone who wouldn't want to work in this type of environment. The level of creativity, innovation, flexibility and professionalism are pretty amazing at Facebook HQ, so what can we educators learn from this?

Should we be trying to create learning environments like this in our schools and districts?

How would students feel if they got to come to school at a place like this?

How would visiting a place like this inspire and motivate students to want more from their educational experience?

Maybe Facebook represents more than just social connections...

Maybe Facebook is laying the foundation for something pretty special when it comes to cultures and work/learning environments...

Just maybe...

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Saturday, August 31, 2013

We need more misfits...

We live in a culture where asking 'why' and asking for clarification can be looked at as overstepping ones boundaries. Additionally, a simple request for more information can turn some people into feeling they need to be on the defensive. We say we want collaboration and teamwork but yet our actions at times don't always exactly match up. Misfits don't see a problem with asking 'why' and asking for justification.

We also live in a culture where there is a perception that playing it save and maintaining the status quo are the necessary steps to getting ahead. I feel pretty confident that this 'play it safe' mindset may have worked in the past, but I just don't think it has the same effect as it once did. Some of the greatest inventions and discoveries were a result of not playing it safe and avoiding the status quo at all costs. Misfits don't base their actions on what is safe and what is 'status quo.'

+Scott McLeod (@mcleod)
Now, don't take this too far. We don't need you or anyone else going off the deep end when it comes to pushing the envelope. Yes, in an ideal world asking for clarification and more information shouldn't be frowned upon, it should be encouraged. Likewise, we should create and support environments where we can try new things and explore what has yet to be explored.

Remember, everything needs to have some sense of control and pre-planned purpose. All misfits know when it's appropriate to question and when to push, and when it's more appropriate to be patient and wait another day. Misfits also know when it's appropriate to go with the flow and when it's appropriate to approach the depths of the unknown.

What kind of culture do you have in your building or your district? Are misfits allowed or are they banished to their own separate island?

http://goo.gl/KoWDzk
What would your colleagues say about you? Are you a misfit... do you ask 'why' and question the status quo... do you look for what others haven't yet seen?

How do you respond when your colleagues or students act like misfits? Do you get defensive... do you judge them... do you try to control them and limit their 'misfitness?'

Lastly, what are you doing to encourage more misfit like behavior in your school or district?


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