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Long-term transformational change has four primary aspects: scale (the change affects all or most of the school), magnitude (the degree to which it challenges the status quo), duration (the change is incremental at first and then moves to exponential), and strategic importance (how ready the culture is for adapting to change). Yet schools will only see significant change when the change occurs first at the level of the individual educational leader- be that principal, superintendent, or teacher. Real change, transformational change happens when there is personal ownership of the new technologies and concepts. Today's new economy is all about human capital, which starts with the educators in a school and then extends outward to all members of the school community.

Principles for Managing Change 1. People before Things (or test scores) 2. Start at the Top 3. Everyone is a Player in the Change Game 4. Garner Buy-in 5. Can't Give Away What You Do Not Own 6. Communicate and Often 7. Know Your Culture and Predict Possible Impact 8. Expect the Unexpected 9. As the Individual Grows so Will the Collective Wisdom of the Community

The Institute on Thailand and its Cultures is a study abroad program for Vermont educators and teachers in Thailand. The program, which includes three instate planning session and three weeks overseas, provides participants with the opportunity to study various aspects of Thai culture such as economic development, education, and women's social status, and minority cultures in Thailand.

In my humble opinion, the best way to think out of the box is to actually get out of the box. What a better way to do that than something like this?

"You can't become fluent in half an hour," Mr. Duroux said. "But you can go back home with a clearer sense that each language goes with a different culture, which goes with a different idea of the world itself. Not to be naïve, but trying to connect with different languages and cultures is a way to change your perspective on the world as a whole."

"Implementing proficiency-based learning options for the long term requires purposeful and specific components to ensure that practices can be sustained and result in a new learning culture that improves student achievement."

"The ingredients of social and collaboration have become key factors in successfully fostering innovation. But often it's not easy for organizations to transform their approach from single-area silo discussions to open, collaborative conversations."

Cooperative Learning is something that not only works for students...it works for adult professional groups (teachers) also.

Colin, great to meet you yesterday. Here is that article on cell phones and what kids pay attention to that we were talking about. I wonder if you could get the research done by Disney?

Colin, I'm not sure what direction your research is heading, but the idea of balancing technology with Mindfulness and being Present is an interesting one that I don't know has been really touched on. Here is a recent article from the NY Times that relates... http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/23/your-money/mindfulness-requires-practice-and-purpose.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 "...scans show mindfulness may change the way our brains function and help us improve attention..." Could be a way for students' brains to reset and refocus after using technology?

Colin, I would weigh in again on this topic by saying...can't wait to see all of your research! Enosburg may be a good test pool or a place that really will need your findings. As I have mentioned we are a 1-1 Ipad school grades 6 through 12. I also will be interested to see how the larger cultural conversation goes on this topic. I have noticed more cell phone jokes from comedians, more reference to texts in sitcoms and movies as well. AND, as you know, there is and will much more talk about digital addictions. Initial brain-scans connect the pattern to gambling addicts. Interesting stuff! See you soon-

"Leadership has several aspects, each of which contributes uniquely to school competence and to school excellence. The current focus in leadership theory and practice provides a limited view, dwelling excessively on some aspects of leadership to the virtual exclusion of others. Unfortunately, these neglected aspects of leadership are linked to excellence-a revelation now unfolding from recent research on school effectiveness and school excellence."

Five leadership forces: Technical derived from sound management techniques Human derived from harnessing available social and interpersonal resources Educational derived from expert knowledge about matters of education and schooling Symbolic derived from focusing the attention of others on matters of importance to the school Cultural derived from building a unique school culture.

This 23 slide screen-cast features 3 videos and explains Mike McRaith's 2013 Autumn Research as a Rowland Fellow. It can serve as a good starting place for anyone interested in building perseverance and grit into school culture.

Today's students adjust to rapid technological and social changes, navigate vast flows of information and learn to work collaboratively with diverse individuals and cultures in a global economy. Discover cognitive tools and teaching techniques to help them cultivate the skills and abilities required to succeed in the new millennium. - November 18, 2011 - November 20, 2011 at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel in Boston, MA

Implications for PLPs around bias engrained in unconscious mental models and in commonly accepted practices for guiding students in their interests/choices around coursework in high school, college majors, and career interests. "Cultural beliefs about gender are argued to bias individuals' perceptions of their competence at various career-relevant tasks, controlling for actual ability. To the extent that individuals then act on gender-differentiated perceptions when making career decisions, cultural beliefs about gender channel men and women in substantially different career directions."

If we really want to "transform" education we need to stop worrying about if the initiative is going to succeed or fail. Because, as I've said before...there are no failures...only first attempts.I know I post quite a bit...this article, however, has more to teach than most.

"...the most important insight from design thinking was that you have to make sure you've defined the right problem before you try to solve it. So, you act like an anthropologist to understand human needs and problems before jumping to solutions."

"...this shift in mindset requires a different kind of leadership. ... linear analysis for planning and executing when the decision-making information is known, and a discovery mindset when they must use small bets to create the data."

"The Leader in Me is a whole-school transformation model that acts like the operating system of a computer - it improves performance of all other programs. Based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People..." "...our schools should not merely be focused on improving test scores, but should provide opportunities for students to develop their full potential." Leadership Accountability Adaptability Initiative and Self-direction Cross-cultural Skills Responsibility Problem Solving Communication Creativity Teamwork

I know that many educators grimace at the thought of implementing a piece of "Corporate America" into public education. But, take a look at the 7 Habits and then ask yourself if these are habits you would want for your students. Habit 1 - Be Proactive Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind Habit 3 - Put First Things First Habit 4 - Think Win-Win Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood Habit 6 - Synergize; Together Is Better Habit 7 - Sharpen The Saw; Balance Feels Best

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report on Finland. Covers: * Commitment to education and to children * Cultural support for universal high achievement * Teacher and principal quality * Accountability * How money is spent * Instructional practice * School organization * Sequencing of reforms to economic development * Cultivating behaviors for the knowledge economy

"...there is an important lesson about the molding power of story. When we read dry, factual arguments, we read with our dukes up. We are critical and skeptical. But when we are absorbed in a story we drop our intellectual guard. We are moved emotionally and this seems to leave us defenseless."

Interesting read as we prepare for our presentations next week. Also...has interesting applications for how administrators communicate new ideas with faculty and teachers engage students.

"...we are beasts of emotion more than logic. We are creatures of story, and the process of changing one mind or the whole world must begin with "Once upon a time."

Articles like this are interesting. But, they are powerful when we take a critical look at own practices and really evaluate if our classroom actions match the work we promote and speak so highly of in the teachers' lounge.

Becoming a master teacher takes continuous effort.1) Understand Your Reasons for Teaching2) Cultivate Ethical Behavior in Your Students and Yourself3) Pool Both Patience and Perseverance4) Design Curriculum That Works5) Perfect Instructional Practices and Assessment Skills6) Connect Positively to the Whole-School Culture

Mike McRaith's blog summary of Angela's Psychology of Achievement Presentation

"...as a culture, our collective bias is toward extroverts. The popularity of work environments with 'open plans' that have no, or low walls and constant noise are completely focused on extroverts. She also notes the current popularity of what she calls, 'new group think', which revolves around work being done in groups and highly valuing collective thinking."

Interesting blog, great book. Really makes me think about how we design learning experiences...especially when we attempt to foster creative thinking.

"If you mistakenly believe that the most effective leaders are Extroverts, that using teams to brainstorm is the best way to foster innovation, or more simply, that Extroversion is a choice, you must read this book. Drawing on the latest research in neuroscience and psychology as well as relevant case studies, Cain effectively debunks the Extrovert Ideal, and equally important, helps us to better understand and value many of the attributes and behaviors associated with Introversion."