borthy1

Moving Towards Flatter Leadership Through Transparent Accountability

This post is for anyone considering the benefits of pursuing a flatter leadership structure. The ideas put forward have been developed over time during our Organic Learning journey. The particular focus for this post is the first hexagonal section 'Transparent Accountability'. Each of the five sections represents a key component for developing flat leadership. Implementing … Continue reading Moving Towards Flatter Leadership Through Transparent Accountability

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The Tension Between Learning Spaces and Learning

I am enjoying the intensifying interest in the 'value-added' impact of innovative learning spaces on learning, particularly now that my school is about to embark on a major refurbishment project. When attending an 'Innovative Learning Spaces and Pedagogy' conference recently, the distinct 'wow' factor presented in many of the school designs is indicative of the … Continue reading The Tension Between Learning Spaces and Learning

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What Does Organic Learning Look Like in the Classroom From a Student’s Perspective?

We host many visits from teachers, parents, leadership teams, principals and system leaders from interstate and internationally, throughout each year. Our usual process includes an Experience Tour in which visitors can 'see' and 'feel' learning within all learning (student, teacher, and leadership) spaces. This is then unpacked as a group with an opportunity for the … Continue reading What Does Organic Learning Look Like in the Classroom From a Student’s Perspective?

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Development of Internal Accountability Begins with the Students

We have written a fair bit about the importance of moving away from a 'top-down' accountability mindset to one that is more focused on building internal accountability. It is our belief that where there is greater internal accountability, there will be less need for external accountability. One of the difficulties with this is that many … Continue reading Development of Internal Accountability Begins with the Students

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Compliance And Accountability Do Not Need To Be Dirty Words

Compliance in itself is not a bad thing. It exists to ensure school systems and schools function within the rules and regulations set out by governing bodies. Just like when driving your car, everyone is very aware of the rules and regulations established to ensure driver and pedestrian safety. In a similar way, compliance helps … Continue reading Compliance And Accountability Do Not Need To Be Dirty Words

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Changing Employment Mindset: Employ People Who Are Better Than You

The employment of staff can make or break a school. The wrong person, whether it be a teacher or leader, can have a massive, negative impact on learning and school culture. An adjustment in mindset can help you get it right when it comes to employment. Generally, when employing we tend to focus on filling a … Continue reading Changing Employment Mindset: Employ People Who Are Better Than You

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Rigorous Alignment to Enhance Retained Learning – Landing the Plane

Teaching personnel have always spent many hours designing learning for those in their care. Most of the time they hit the mark. Unfortunately, other times they do not. This is ok because FAILing is always a First Attempt In Learning, as long as there is development, and we encourage this through valid risk-taking. With an … Continue reading Rigorous Alignment to Enhance Retained Learning – Landing the Plane

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Successful Literacy/Numeracy Instruction using Organic Learning

Some may assume that our Organic Learning Cycle is another version of an inquiry model. The truth is that it is purely a 'learning model'. Indeed the cycle is designed to help pose, find and solve problems in an inquiry sense, but the model just as brilliantly aligns itself with explicit/guided instruction, and in particular, … Continue reading Successful Literacy/Numeracy Instruction using Organic Learning

borthy1

It’s Time for Education to Let Go of its Autocratic Accountability Mindset

There are so many structures and processes in schools today that directly connect us to the old 'factory model' of education. Even with the construction of new schools, the model is still pretty much the same. There are some innovative practices in flexible learning spaces and methodologies for individualising learning, but our schools are still fundamentally … Continue reading It’s Time for Education to Let Go of its Autocratic Accountability Mindset