Author: wenmothd

Derek is regarded as one of NZ education’s foremost Future Focused thinkers, and is regularly asked to consult with schools, policy makers and government agencies regarding the future directions of NZ educational policy and practice.

Derek’s Blog, launched in 2003, serves as a platform for sharing thoughts and reflections related to his work. It offers over 20 years of searchable posts, categorized by the tags below. Feel free to comment, as your feedback contributes to ongoing reflection and future posts.

Project-based learning

Seymour Papert (of “mindstorms” and “Logo” fame) has produced a great summary of his thinking regarding project-based learning at http://glef.org/php/interview.php?id=Art_901 Papert has some particular words to say regarding the inclusion of mathematics and ICT into project-based learning.
For me, project-based learning as described in Papert’s article is the epitome of how learning in the “real world” occurs. It is authentic, ownership of the process and outcomes is high, time on task is generally high, motivation also high etc etc.
The final part of Papert’s article interests me particularly – it relates to vision, and how we must act to reconcile our dreams about the future with the realities of today’s classrooms – something we should be thinking about in relation to the current discussions in NZ about the schooling strategy.

Semantic Web

A number of discussions going on around theplace at the moment about this topic – (see Derek Chirnside’s Blog). Seems there’s a lot of momentum being created in this direction.
I came across this link this morning which takes you to a list of more than a dozen articles related to the development of a semantic web – http://www-jime.open.ac.uk/2004/1/

eLearning Strategies

Having invested a large amount of my time last year (and some this year) in putting together an eLearning Framework discussion document for the Ministry of Education, I was interested to come across this paper today, (E-Learning Strategies – Embrace or Eschew?) which asks a fundamental question – do we need one?
The author asks, quite rightly, With all the discussions happening in Britain (and just beginning in Canada) about e-learning strategies, it seems relevant to step back for a second and ask whether we need one at all, to ask whether “e-learning [is] really so special and different from what we know about pedagogy and student learning that, instead of viewing it as an integral part of a learning and teaching strategy, it requires a special strategy all of its own?”
There is a balanced list here of the pros and cons of having a separate eLearning Strategy – worth a read.
From my own perspective, I avoided using the word ‘strategy’ in the work I did, preferring instead to use the more embrasive notion of a “Framework”, the idea being that, at present we need a Framework that enables us to understand the relationship between the various (and often competing) dimensions of eLearning.
I’d have to say that philisophically I’d agree with the idea that there is a built-in redundancy in an eLearning Strategy, but until all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, a framework will serve us well (for all the “pro” reasons listed in this article).

Building the school of the future

I came across the following link today in Stephen Downe’s mailing list – Building the school of the future
It is a streaming media presentation (not viewable in Firefox) from Microsoft outlining its vision of the school of the future. Not a lot of new material here, but a nicely packaged presentation that provides some insight into the approach that Microsoft are taking with their project.
The point about asking how ICT is improving learning being the wrong question resonated with me. (vague tones of the no significant difference syndrome) This is something that I’ve spoken about before – we have to “dream bigger” than that

Appreciative inquiry 2

Another day with Don Hanna today – plenty of work with the appreciative inquiry approach to change management. (Interesting quite – it’s not change that needs to be managed, but the people affected by it!)
Appreciative inquiry does stand up as a reserach methodology of sorts, but is primarily a methodology to be used in the process of managing change. The primary focus is on “appreciating” what is working and building on that, as opposed to the traditional mehtods which begin with by “problematizing” everything and working from this perspective. This often results in deficit model thinking.

Appreciative Inquiry

Have just spent a fascinating day with Don Hanna from the University of Wisconsin, Extension, who is in Wellington for the week. (More details of who Don is and the work he does can be found in the extended entry link).
We had a great discussion around the theme of appreciative inquiry – something Don introduced me to a couple of years ago when he was here as a keynote speaker at the DEANZ conference.
appreciative inquiry is an approach to organisational change based on the premise that ??organisations change in the direction in which they inquire.?? I’ve been attempting to adopt this approach in the work Iv’e been doing over the past two years, and can really vouch for its effectiveness. Amazing how differently people react in a change environment where there is a positive focus, rather than the traditional approach which tends to problematize everything.

Continue reading “Appreciative Inquiry”

Blog Software Breakdown

With all of the interest in blogs being shown recently I thought the following link might be of interest.
http://www.asymptomatic.net/blogbreakdown.htm
The guy who has put this together has put in many hours of hard work creating a table comparing the various pieces of Blog Software that are available. In addition, he explains quite a list of the features that the various pieces of blog software may or may not inlcude.

Back from Fiji!

What a break – nine wonderful days in Fiji to attend my sister in law’s wedding. 40-odd guessts, fabulous weather, and not an email link in sight! I’m back feeling totally relaxed and with a mountain of work to catch up on – but I have a feeling it will have been worth it.

Resource-discourse explained

Following on from yesterday’s blog – the link below will open a page that provides some explanation about the animation and its relevance to eLearning.

animation explanation

eLearning animation

In my role as eLearning manager at the Correspondence School I developed a simply model to illustrate the relationships between the various eLearning tools and strategies, both synchronous and asynchronous, that can be used. This model has been included in the Ministry of Education’s ICT Strategy for schools called “Digital Horizons”. The link below will open an animation that we created to help explain the model….
Open Animation

What others say

The Learning Environments Australasia Executive Committee  has received a lot of positive feedback, which is greatly due to your wealth of knowledge and information you imparted on our large audience, your presentation has inspired a range of educators, architects and facility planners and for this we are grateful.

Daniel Smith Chair Learning Environments Australasia

Derek and Maurie complement each other well and have the same drive and passion for a future education system that is so worthwhile being part of. Their presentation and facilitation is at the same time friendly and personal while still incredibly professional. I am truly grateful to have had this experience alongside amazing passionate educators and am inspired to re visit all aspects of my leadership. I have a renewed passion for our work as educational leaders.

Karyn Gray Principal, Raphael House Rudolf Steiner

I was in desperate need of a programme like this. This gave me the opportunity to participate in a transformative journey of professional learning and wellbeing, where I rediscovered my passion, reignited my purpose, and reconnected with my vision for leading in education. Together, we got to nurture not just academic excellence, but also the holistic wellbeing of our school communities. Because when we thrive, so does the entire educational ecosystem.

Tara Quinney Principal, St Peter's College, Gore

Refresh, Reconnect, Refocus is the perfect title for this professional development. It does just that. A fantastic retreat, space to think, relax and start to reconnect. Derek and Maurie deliver a balance of knowledge and questioning that gives you time to think about your leadership and where to next. Both facilitators have the experience, understanding, connection and passion for education, this has inspired me to really look at the why for me!

Jan McDonald Principal, Birkdale North School

Engaged, passionate, well informed facilitators who seamlessly worked together to deliver and outstanding programme of thought provoking leadership learning.

Dyane Stokes Principal, Paparoa Street School

A useful and timely call to action. A great chance to slow down, reflect on what really drives you, and refocus on how to get there. Wonderful conversations, great connections, positive pathways forward.

Ursula Cunningham Principal, Amesbury School

RRR is a standout for quality professional learning for Principals. Having been an education PLD junkie for 40 years I have never before attended a programme that has challenged me as much because of its rigor, has satisfied me as much because of its depth or excited me as much because of realising my capacity to lead change. Derek and Maurie are truly inspiring pedagogical, authentic leadership experts who generously and expertly share their passion, wisdom and skills to help Principal's to focus on what is important in schools and be the best leader they can be.

Cindy Sullivan Principal, Kaipara College

Derek Wenmoth is brilliant. Derek connects powerful ideas forecasting the future of learning to re-imagine education and create resources for future-focused practices and policies to drive change. His work provides guidance and tools for shifting to new learning ecosystems through innovations with a focus on purpose, equity, learner agency, and lifelong learning. His work is comprehensive and brings together research and best practices to advance the future of teaching and learning.  His passion, commitment to innovation for equity and the range of practical, policy and strategic advice are exceptional.

Susan Patrick, CEO, Aurora Institute

I asked Derek to work with our teachers to reenergise our team back into our journey towards our vision after the two years of being in and out of 'Covid-ness'.  Teachers reported positively about the day with Derek, commenting on how affirmed they felt that our vision is future focused.  Teachers expressed excitement with their new learning towards the vision, and I've noticed a palpable energy since the day.  Derek also started preparing our thinking for hybrid learning, helping us all to feel a sense of creativity rather than uncertainty.  The leadership team is keen to see him return!

Kate Christie | Principal | Cashmere Ave School

Derek has supported, informed and inspired a core group of our teachers to be effective leads in our college for NPDL. Derek’s PLD is expertly targeted to our needs.

Marion Lumley | Deputy Principal |Ōtaki College

What a task we set Derek -  to facilitate a shared vision and strategy with our Board and the professional and admin teams (14 of us), during a Covid lockdown, using online technology. Derek’s expertise, skilled questioning, strategic facilitation and humour enabled us to work with creative energy for 6 hours using a range of well-timed online activities. He kept us focussed on creating and achieving a shared understanding of our future strategic plan.  Derek’s future focussed skills combined with an understanding of strategy and the education sector made our follow up conversations invaluable.  Furthermore, we will definitely look to engage Derek for future strategic planning work.

Sue Vaealiki, Chair of Stonefields Collaborative Trust 

Our Principal PLG has worked with Derek several times now, and will continue to do so. Derek is essentially a master facilitator/mentor...bringing the right level of challenge, new ideas & research to deepen your thinking, but it comes with the level of support needed to feel engaged, enriched and empowered after working with him.

Gareth Sinton, Principal, Douglas Park School

Derek is a highly knowledgeable and inspirational professional learning provider that has been guiding our staff in the development of New Pedagogies’ for Deep Learning. His ability to gauge where staff are at and use this to guide next steps has been critical in seeing staff buy into this processes and have a strong desire to build in their professional practice.

Andy Fraser, Principal, Otaki College

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