Subject: Fall 2010 In Review (getting back to the original question)

Posted by Janice Hansel on 12/25/2010
In Reply To:Fall 2010 In Review (getting back to the original question) Posted by Gene Bellinger on 12/25/2010

Message:

Gene,

Thanks for the link to Argyris's article. He has made significant contributions to organizational learning and I believe that we can learn from his thinking in our education renewal efforts.

One big problem that I continue to find in my research of K-12 practitioners and systems is that there is a great deal of pressure to perform according to external measures and little incentive to meet the true learning needs of the students. Learning by teachers and students requires reflection and collaboration. These time consuming activities are often not valued and therefore not considered integral to learning.

As Argyris says, even the brighter students tend to think they know enough and may not find reflection to be an essential part of their learning. Until we can show the link between suspending judgment, listening to one another, thinking creatively, and, greater learning, I doubt we'll convince education administrators to give their teams of teachers and practitioners adequate time to think and share. We surely won't convince them if they are evaluated according to high-stakes tests taken by stressed, bored students.

As you say, we all need a rest. 2011 will be another big challenge.

Janice Hansel

Follow Ups:

Fall 2010 In Review (getting back to the original question) - Gene Bellinger 12/25/2010 
Fall 2010 In Review (getting back to the original question) - Pedro D. Almaguer Prado 12/26/2010
Fall 2010 In Review (getting back to the original question) - Richard Turnock 12/25/2010