Sunday, May 22, 2016

Creating a Culture of Learning

(A blog post for the purpose of the MindLab Applied Practice in Context Course)

School Climate and Culture

Climate is that first feeling you get when you come into a school. As teachers who are in a school every day it might be difficult to say  objectively what the climate is - and it changes - sometimes sunny, sometimes stormy. How does the climate of our school impact on our parents and students when they arrive in the morning? What type of climate do we want them to experience and how can we create this? Can we put some large bubble over our school to protect it from the outside ravages of climatic change and if we can, how do we do this - or even should we do this?

Culture runs deeper and is harder to change. Ed Dunkelblau mentions a culture of learning, caring and success - and these seem to be three essential elements of a school culture - for all students and staff. Working at a school where the mission statement is 'Excellence and Effort in a Caring Environment' all those elements are recognised. Systems and structures are in place to ensure this culture doesn't happen by default but it is actually planned for. Excellence is celebrated in a variety of ways and across a range of disciplines. Effort is embedded through a focus on ongoing improvement, and a developing focus on character education and growth mindset. Caring may be less formalised but is a strong part of the culture with staff and students caring for and watching out for each other, supporting each other during times of difficulty and there are rituals that show this. Even though this culture is well established it should not be taken for-granted and everyone has a part to play in keeping the culture alive and flourishing through contributing and living the culture.

There is always a risk, that in a school where there is a high level of achievement among students that thee is the belief that nothing needs to change, and the way we have always done things is the best way. Yet, in a time of great change the way things have always been done can quickly become outdated and irrelevant to the world outside school. Having a strong culture of learning is essential as teachers who themselves are learners are more able to adapt to changing environments. Supporting a culture of teachers as learners through both time and resources and celebrating teacher learning is an essential part of a school culture. Some ways in which this may be fostered include:

  • ensure teachers are using a Teaching as Inquiry cycle
  • prioritise professional learning and development for teachers both using external providers and internal staff
  • ensure that senior management model behaviours of life-long learners
  •  encourage and support teachers to belong to communities of practices inside and outside the school using tools such as the Virtual Learning Network, Pond and social networking sites
  • celebrate teachers who are learners
  • allow time for teachers to learn (and innovate)
  • structure time for teachers to share their learning and knowledge with their colleagues - create a culture where teachers are experts in their field
  • find ways to reduce administration to prioritise learning
  • bring the culture of learning to the front (or as George Curous would say, the culture of innovation)
http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/tag/george-couros


References:

Stoll (1998). School Culture. School Improvement Network’s Bulletin 9. Institute of Education, University of London. Retrieved from http://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Culture/Understanding-school-cultures/School-Culture

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