We know the answer, but what is the question?

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Here in the United States, we will be practicing self-isolation and distancing until at least April 30 (and likely much longer). Many school districts have already announced that students will not return to campuses before the end of the academic year.

Schools know the answer to that dilemma: online learning for the foreseable future.

Which brings to mind a quote from British architect Cedric Price: “Technology is the answer, but what is the question?”

I encountered that line in Dan Hill’s tremendous book, Dark Matter and Trojan Horses, whose lessons I’m only beginning to internalize as I reread it.

Consider this except, and replace “designer” with “educator”:

“…too often, the stance of the designer [educator] is oriented almost solely toward problem-solving. Too often, that’s what they’re trained for. The issue here is something rarely considered at school: what do you do when you realise you are addressing the wrong problem, your bounded remit having been the outcome of the wrong question in the first place?”

Indeed: what do you do?

It starts with asking better questions.

Like, “What is school for?”

And, “If your school fulfills its Mission and Vision, what change do you expect to see in the world?”

And, “What do kids need to do to thrive in a post-COVID-19 world?”

There is tremendous wisdom in the OODA loop: before we Decide and Act, let’s use our #1 tool for Observing and Orienting: Better Questions.

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