Future of Learning Top Reads for week of July 6 2020

“Four-school consortium to set up novel higher education collective campus in Bridgeport,” by Zach Murdock, in the Hartford Courant

“The collaboration is designed to allow all four universities to share some of the costs of running a college campus — like maintenance, dining services or security — while offering students the flexibility to study in the varied certificate and degree programs each school offers, officials said.”

Why does this matter to the future of learning?

Colleges were already facing enrollment pressures. Revenue shortfalls are now increasing because of COVID-19. What to do?

One solution is a “university park,” as described here, in which multiple institutions share resources.

What might a “K12 park” look like?

You may view peer institutions as competitors, but they could be collaborators in disguise.

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“Foreshadowing and not Foreshadowing: Strategic School Options for Sailing Across a Troubled Sea,” by Ross Peters, on EXPLO Elevate Blog

“Schools have traditionally had difficulty foreshadowing successfully because such disclosure forces a dialogue about an initiative before the school leadership knows exactly what it will look like as an end-product. This can feel, and in some cases may be, risky; however, without this step, getting requisite support for change may be impossible and thus represent a far greater risk. […]

“[H]owever, cultures need the opposite of foreshadowing—instead of foreshadowing, we need action that is out in front of conversation and certainly any sort of consensus. There are moments when a leadership needs to get out first and ask for others to catch back up later. Particularly when there is an opportunity to illustrate a strategic vision and take an opportunity that would disappear if there is too much delay, leadership must be willing to move ahead decisively. Note: it is vital here to ensure that key decision-makers are dialed in—the Executive Committee of the Board and the Administrative team, for instance.”

Why does this matter to the future of learning?

Yes, foreshadowing can be important. (Neuro-linguist George Lakoff refers to it as “releasing trial balloons.”)

And yes, sometimes unannounced action is important.

But it would be dangerous to deploy foreshadowing or action as mere techniques. As they both evoke a storytelling metaphor, perhaps we should consider some screenwriting wisdom: if the end of the movie stinks, the problem isn’t in Act 3—it’s in Act 1.

Foreshadowing and sudden action won’t solve problems that started in Act 1 of your community’s journey.

That doesn’t mean you should wait to foreshadow or to take action. But it is a reminder that you should always be “creating the conditions” for those techniques to work.

To invoke a different metaphor, pulling up weeds or spraying pesticide won’t help much if the soil is rocky or there isn’t enough sunlight reaching your garden.

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We are taking applications for our next virtual Expedition, August 3-7.

Deadline: July 15.

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