Facilitating a Transformation

1
Facilitating a Transformation in Education
Dialogue on Leadership

Dr.Garry McKinnon October 9, 2013
2
Inspiring EducationFacilitating 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?

3

• 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/our-stor
  y-video.html

4
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
5
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

6
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)

7
Action Strategies for a Transformation in
Education1. Develop and Articulate a Shared
Vision for Implementing the Inspiring Education
Agenda
8
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.

9
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.

10
4. Actively Involve Students in Directing Their
Own Learning-We need to develop new approaches
for hearing the student voice and authentically
involving students (instructional leaders) 
11
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

12
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

13
7.Recognize the important role for technology as
a means to an end rather than an end in
itselfTechnology is not an isolated island it
should be interconnected with all aspects of
learning and teaching
14
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

15

• 9.Work together in making fundamental changes in
  curriculum and our approach in developing learner
  competencies

16
10. Promote Research and the Development of
Research-informed Pedagogical Practices