Cohort 4!!! How's everyone doing. Hope everyone has had a productive week. I was in Baltimore, Ma. last Wednesday through Saturday attending the National Middle School Association Annual Conference. What a learning experience it was. I attending sessions on new technology innovations and leadership strategies by Alan November, Sean Covey and Rick Wormeli. If you are not middle school, you may not have heard of these notable authors. November works in a reform school off the coast of Masschuesettes and offered some insight into those parts of my dissertation that deal with technology integration in an alternative learning environment. Sean Covey is the son of Stephen Covey and has written a book entitled, "7 Habits of Effective Teens". Covey's session was eye-opening, as I had read his book as a part of a book study last year on my campus...but having the author share personal reflections and insights was very invaluable. I was able to talk with him following the session and got contact information to use for my study. Rick Wormeli is just simply an amazing author and motivational speaker. He gave me tips on campus leadership and strategies to bring the dissenters on my campus on board. He very effectively used Story as a way to teach and present his message. If you have never heard him, please try to do so the next time he is in your area.
The conference overall was very productive. I also attended a couple of sessions on cyberbullying and sexual harrassment. What was most rewarding was when Alan November referenced Daniel Pink as a colleague who bounced ideas off of him. One thing notable he said that really stuck with and had me reflect back on A Whole New Mind related to one of the 6 Senses Pink mentioned in the book. November asked the audience, "what is the number 1 skill needed in the 21st Century for students to be successful?"...answer...Empathy. I was blown away by this. I had voted for collaboration...thinking that must be the answer...such a right brain answer. But as he explained, empathy is even more right brain than collaboration. November explained that in this global society students will need to know what cultural n0rms and values others bring to the collaboration/negotiation table before any effective global change is to ever occur.
Billy, you made some great connections this week! Sounds inspiring. Isn't it interesting how open people are to encouraging and supporting our research and our learning. That's empathy in action - colleagues reaching out to each other to connect and help us all move forward in connecting with kids. I know you'll have a chance to show empathy this week. I hope you receive some along the way, too.
ReplyDeleteYour experience at the conference sounds "first class." It is always inspiring to hear the speakers whom we have been reading. So glad you got the time away to look at different perspectives.
ReplyDelete