FutureMakers Update 23 Feb 2024
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Kia ora koutou
I’m sharing a number of interesting links and articles this week that I’ve personally found really helpful. From engaging with social issues and equity in education, to how we cope with the AI explosion, focusing on our moral purpose as leaders and looking behind the surface use of neuro-science being used to defend current policy in education. I hope you’ll find some of this useful in the work you do!
Ngā mihi
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| If you’re looking for a great resource to help students engage with future-focused issues relating to how we deal with natural disasters, NIWA have released a river flooding serious game titled Township Flood Challenge, The four lesson supports are designed to help teachers and students unpack deeper complexity and nuance to the gameplay experience, exploring knowledge about climate change, adaptation choices, wellbeing, values and decision-making. |
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Artificial Intelligence, Real Anxiety
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| Michael Horn’s article, Artificial Intelligence, Real Anxiety, challenges the popular narrative that students love AI (it helps them with their homework and papers!), and teachers are nervous about it. He quotes a 2023 survey by the Walton Family Foundation that found that 61 percent of parents and 58 percent of K–12 teachers report favourable views of ChatGPT compared to 54 percent of students aged 12–17. In his article, Horn explores the fact that schools have not yet grappled with the broader issue of whether or how curriculum should change. |
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Avoiding Chaos in an age of AI
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| Thinking of the article above, I found Education Week’s article 8 Tips for Schools to Avoid Chaos in the Age of AI really useful. Although a US-based perspective, the tips are all extremely practical, actionable things that any school leader could implement. There are also some useful links to examples of other education organisations and coalitions in the US that have led the way with guides to help district leaders navigate AI implementation. |
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The Civil Rights Road to Deeper Learning
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The Civil Rights Road to Deeper Learning is a recent book from Linda Darling-Hammond – with Kai Darling-Hammond. For a taste of what it is about check out the brief which explains the premise of the book, and contains a really helpful diagram about half way down the page.
I like this piece in the brief:
Compounding the barriers to a deeper learning curriculum are the many other sources of inequality in our society that make it difficult for many schools to offer such learning opportunities: dramatic income inequalities, high rates of childhood poverty, and unequal school funding and access to resources of all kinds. These inequalities in our society are so deep-seated that, for centuries, the path to deeper learning for marginalized young people has required—and continues to require—engagement in civil rights litigation, enforcement, and advocacy.
I see a great opportunity to consider the parallel story here in NZ focusing on a Te Tiriti Road to Deeper Learning (instead of civil rights). |
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Leading student-centred change
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| In this episode of DisruptEDTV, Claire Amos chats with Maurie Abraham about the importance of moral purpose and having courage when in comes to leading positive student-centred change in and beyond the classroom. You read more of Maurie’s musings here: https://principalpossum.blogspot.com/ |
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Moving beyond Neuro-myths
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| In the midst of the talk about banning devices from schools there are all sorts ‘evidence’ being quoted – including from the field of neuroscience. This article, Taking technology out of Swedish schools … and the search for what the ‘science’ says explores this from a balanced perspective, noting that many of the popular uses of neuroscience to justify the removal of digital devices from classrooms and support a return to traditional methods that overlooks the fact that most neuroscience experts are rather open-minded when it comes to digital innovation |
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Don’t miss these webinars
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| Here are some really great opportunities to participate in some online professional learning webinars that I thought worth passing on:
Leading in Uncertain Times
- The Springboard Trust is offering the first of their free Leaders for Education webinar for 2024: Leading in Uncertain Times on Friday 8th March from 8-9am. This is an opportunity for school and cross-sector leaders to reflect on how we might navigate this period of significant change while remaining focused on what will make the biggest difference to achieving our goals. They have two inspiring speakers joining us: Billie-Jean Potaka-Ayton, Principal of Kaiti School in Te Tairāwhiti and Melissa Clark-Reynolds ONZM, Futurist and Professional Director. Register Here.
Using next-gen assessment to empower students through agency in learning
- Thought leader @SandraMilligan3 will deliver a webinar on March 27 on using next-gen assessment to empower students through agency in learning. The webinar will introduce a course on the topic delivered through @AcademyVIC. For more info and to register: go.unimelb.edu.au/c2i8
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| At FutureMakers we use a range of forums to curate good ideas and resources. Check out the following… |
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| I’m always interested to hear your feedback or ideas about what you’d like to see included in future newsletters – please use the link below to email me with your suggestions. |
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