Yesterday, I wrote a short post asking a question about change, and the response was overwhelming. If you have not read the comments in the entirety, there are some fantastic thoughts. Being inspired by seeing Alec Couros and Dean Shareski present at ATLE and having beautiful visuals with his quotes, I decided to create an open Flickr group (you will have to have a flickr account) where anyone can add their images with quotes, on change in Education.
(*Update. My brother led me to this group that is very similar in focus so definitely use and share resources there.)
Here are some of the quotes that really stuck out for me from the comments yesterday that you may want to use:
“If teachers and students know ‘why’ then the change or the learning is meaningful…” Edna Sackson
“Change can be a lot of work too. Sometimes people also get frustrated when it seems that we constantly have to change, and then just as things are working, we need to change again.” Aviva Dunsinger
“Endless conversation about change is the barrier. Actually committing to doing something and then acting is what is required.” David Jakes
“When we have the autonomy to learn for ourselves and grow through our own desires, we can and will ultimately embrace change for what it needs to be…finding a better way of doing something.” Justin Tarte
“Put teachers together in an organized way, with clear objectives, and they’ll move mountains. Alone, the mountains are just too big!” David Truss
“…what if I build something, in this case a website on the way to building an entire movement, and wondering, and what if no one comes? That haunts me. “ Miss Shuganah
“many others have seen “the newest and greatest” ideas come and go…….and to invest their time, (because it does take time) and their energy and also possible total rethinking of everything which was their foundation — has to have a reason.” Jennifer
“The best change comes as a result of individuals realizing they need to change. If we believe that teachers are the right people in the role, we need to help them realize this on their own and not because they feel forced. True change is internal.” Dean Shareski
“The change that is sustainable must be something that has a reason (answering the “why’) and something that everyone has a stake in. I can get one person to change, but can I make it systemic?” Pete Rodriguez
“It’s dangerous to think we are ever finished or have attained mastery….. which is contrary to everything we teach students by giving unit tests, by graduating them after ‘x’ number of hours, etc.” Julie Cunningham
“They (educators) need someone who has been in the trenches, slogged it out, and can share the good, the bad, the ugly about where they’re going. Too often they get someone who’s just done the research or the book learnin’. There’s no credibility there. They need to hear the war stories. “ Katherine Mann
“…my role is to be the force of change vs. having change forced on me.” Carrie Daniels
“Teachers do not fear changes that they believe in…it is those changes that are forced upon us that make us skeptical.” Kelly Alford
“It is not change that people fear, it is the transition between where they are and where they want to be.” Ian Cullion
“As a leader (any type of leader….not just administrator!) it is our job to help people find their way in this time of change. I for one, am excited and ready to go!” Melissa Dallinger
If you are interested, it would be great for you to create your own visual that anyone can use into the Flickr group. I would love to see if we can create and share some visuals for everyone to use in their work.
You…On Change%20http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/1500" title="Share on Twitter" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
You…On Change" title="Share on Delicious" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
You…On Change" title="Share on StumbleUpon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
You…On Change" title="Share on Digg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Shelly S Terrell, Jacques Cool, gcouros, Greta Sandler, Todd A. Hoffman and others. Todd A. Hoffman said: blogpost by @gcouros You…On Change: Yesterday, I wrote a short post asking a question about change, and … http://bit.ly/ga0GKg #edchat [...]
Here is my contribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/datruss/5216017606/i…
Love this quote by Jakes!
Ok, so I added the image and then immediately wanted to change it… I think this one makes the point even better: http://www.flickr.com/photos/datruss/5216340720/i…
How's that?
(And should I take the other one out of the pool?)
Thank you for sharing some of those quotes, the one that really struck me was:
“…my role is to be the force of change vs. having change forced on me.” Carrie Daniels
That quote for some reason just really motivates me, exactly what I needed heading back from Thanksgiving break!
Very thoughtful comments here. It was a good read, George. I think systematic change needs to be big picture, with a long term goal in mind, like "let's reduce bullying". If teachers are interested or if we can make them interested with a good hook in, they will come up with how to do it. Some may want to start a students helping students group for recesses, another may want to plan an assembly, and another may want to make a few video announcements to demonstrate to students how to stop being a bystander and a victim of bullying. I think teachers/people need to be interested and empowered/valued to act on this interest. As mentioned in some of the other responses, the keys are interest and recognition of a need for change, knowledge about themselves and the time and ability to act on the need for change. …now what about the people who show no interest in any type of change? They are another can of worms…
It really comes back to what Edna said, and what I think we all believe…we need to know the why. Change for the sake of change is not what we should be working towards. When we understand (the public included) WHY we need to change education, and WHY we are making these changes now, people will believe in the cause. They will begin to believe in education again.
Sadly though, we are seeing a lot of changes coming from a lot of conflicting directions. How do deal with that? What "change" do we get behind and what "change" will really bring about meaningful and lasting reform?
I appreciate this conversation. But like Dean said, change comes from within. We have to change our own views and practices first. Show that they make a positive and meaningful difference. Others will follow. Blogs like this, educators like George (and countless others), and this kind of thoughtful debate will help facilitate that change. Chin up. We are all engaged in a worthy cause.
Thank you for sharing all of these, once again feeling an overwhelming sense of honor and pride that this is our PLN. Ready to move mountains.
Wow! what an thought ! What a idea ! Attractive .. Amazing ? I ordinarily don?t post in Blogs but your weblog forced me to, amazing work.. stunning ?
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% sure. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Appreciate it
I use a few which you mentioned. Personally, I like SEO Quake Toolbar and I appreciate SEM Rush. I think SEM Hurry is the very best research marketing research software. Undoubtedly worth the price tag purchased.
I cling on to listening to the newscast talk about getting free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the most excellent site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i find some?
fabuleuse estavr de ridetro cotuir y clamo con pisquirmi iconcia. morria a telira y bianaci inincias con edastr oradi!