Ulearn16 - Karen Spenser's Keynote

Karen Spenser - Beyond the echo chamber: The extraordinary possibilities of a networked profession

Karen was the final keynote. She challenged us to think about what we will do with our learning when we go back to school.

She encouraged us to take time to stop and think before we do anything. To consider the needs of our community and our learners and how we might best meet those needs.

Teachers want to make things happen, to solve problems, to find a quick fix. Karen urged us to look for what was most urgent, and to pause before chasing each new trend. We need to plan carefully, to hold ideas lightly, and pause before we leap into the next new initiative.  

How can you position your new ideas in a way that is most useful for your learners?   

She shared the following clip "My World, My Views"
 
We need to remember to talk to the people who are most affected by what we do. Talk to your students. Check your values.  We need to look not only at the data, but the stories behind the data. We need to hear the viewpoints of all learners.

We need to be embrace discomfort, challenge our biases and make sure we consider all perspectives.

Key points:-

1. Find the urgency. Compare vision to your learner's 'curriculum'. 
2. Seek out students stories. Let data open the door to empathy and understanding. 
3. Walk around our information together - what do you see?
4. Resist trying to find a quick solution - what is likely to make the most difference?
5. Agree on you 'strong signals' before you test and trial.