About Vision...

This post started out as an e-mail reply to my own message about an idea to create a space for "shared dialog" in our district. I called my idea "Thursday Morning Tech Talks". I know, it should/could be more creative but I don't think I created the mental model I have of these sessions because I had this reply from one of my most creative team-teachers:

"Sounds good on paper- like staff meetings? Logistically it probably wouldn't be good for our staff meeting as we have to watch children quickly after the meeting and sometimes during-

Would be great if we actually had time to meet and focus on a topic- but mornings are pretty busy - great idea though
db"

Db's reply came to my Inbox before I got my reply back out to them. I wrote:

"WE could probably fill up the entire year having highly intellectual discussions "around" educational practice, educational research, educational design and THEN content creation! Maybe it should be afternoon :) I'm just thinking about building our bench. I want everyone to have the opportunity to learn what we know."

But then I had this message from my good colleague and favorite administrator:

"Good idea, but db has some valid points--probably will also run into problems w/ the negotiated agreement even though the meetings are not required. What about an e-meeting of some sort on a specified day or time where discussions could occur as people are able to "drop in" online?"

It's hard to think "inside" the box!

I ask--Do we really think we can create a shared vision with these out of touch, paper-trained, digital immigrants outside of their physical space, with the very people who think "social networks" have no relevance and that they are evil?

Don't we still have to "live" inside the box of School 1.0 until it finally blends in to School 2.0? When will it be about what Dan Pink talks about and what drives our passion? When will it be about intrinsic motivation and personal accountability for each ONE of us/them?

Last night at the board meeting after a great presentation by Aimee about the Omaha experience, I heard a plea for support from the board, superintendent, teachers, students, parents, and community. A plea to help "us" DEMAND "high expectations" of ALL! Very refreshing. Is there anyone else that believes we may fail at high expectations of students if we can't demand high expectations of staff??? We have a lot of work to do if we want them to see the same vision of educating and learning as US.

You and I can understand the "wisdom of crowds" and the power of "teamwork" and we should be DRAW-ing our pictures of what a classroom looks like and feels like in a "high expectations" classroom focused on using the tools of the trade. Ahhh, the "tools of the trade". Interesting concept.

If we can openly and collectively dialog about what these classrooms look like (the stories are at our fingertips) we might begin to create a "shared vision". Oh yes! Shift needs to happen from the top down. I heard this too last night and we all know how true this is. I do believe that we have suffered enough at the mercy of a top down system. We are now in a flat world where the greatest currency of our economy will be the power to turn information into knowledge.

Thoughts?