Should all Educators take the 23 things challenge?
Interesting to read Chris Betcher’s “rant” on teachers opting to stand on the sidelines when it comes to integrating technology use into learning today.
I really don’t know where I stand on all of this as I am dealing a lot more with educational leadership here in Hong Kong and I can’t help but lay a lot of the blame there. When you read the inspirational posts of a leader like Chris Lehmann and then look for the same sort of inspiration from educational leaders here, it is sadly lacking.
I keep thinking about the work and words of Professor Martin Seligman who is now working with Geelong Grammar in setting up their new wellness center and the way he describes someone truly happy and content with their work. I am paraphrasing but essentially he mentions that people most happy with their situation in working life are those who feel that they are doing something meaningful and the level of challenge is just beyond the individual’s comfort zone. How easy would it be for a leader to set this up in a school situation, especially when integrating ICT into learning is part of that agenda.
You can see a short video of Seligman here but his interview with Richard Adey on the ABC last year was where he speaks about the fulfilled worker.
Sadly I don’t see evidence of schools being set up along these lines. The challenge comes with getting paper based forms in on time and submitting work programmes. I live to see true leadership where teachers are set off to really help to transform learning in the school.
Maybe setting teachers the 23 things challenge is a start?
Filed under: Education in Hong Kong, Learning for a Flat World | Tagged: leadership, psychology, teachers
