The idea of affiliation in education is shifting. While we still connect to traditional structures by role (unions, associations, etc.) and by where we work (schools, districts, etc.) the digital world is challenging these traditional associations as being paramount and this may be necessary to build the coalition to bring about the shifts many are looking for in our education system. I am convinced that we need a third point of reference to bring about education transformation.
In the BC context, transformation will never take hold if it is seen to belong to the Ministry of Education, the BC Teachers Federation, the BC Superintendents, BC Principals, or any one district. We do need another space where people from all groups can come together and work together. What does this look like? For a couple of decades we have seen the power of how the Network of Performance Based Schools in BC has been an amazing influence over what happens in classrooms. The group is not seen as being owned by anyone or any group — the group belongs to the group and it is guided by the work. Somehow, we need something similar given the larger shifts currently happening in education in BC.
And, I am thinking about this idea of affiliation because of my participation this past week in Ignite Your Passion for Discovery — the brain child of Dean Shareski. Last Wednesday night about eighty-five people, passionate about education, gathered at Relish GastroPub & Bar from 7 to 10 pm to talk about passion in education. There were 14 presenters who had exactly five minutes (20 slides/15 seconds each ) to share their passion. In between presentations there were exchanges for great networking. You could walk around the room, and it had a greater sense of community and was more connected than any staff meeting I have ever been a part of. Almost everyone knew each other from Twitter — some had met in person, but for many it was a first meeting. This is the new world of affiliation — people connected not by role, not by location, but by passion. It is these types of coalitions that are going to bring about shifts and change in education. People were inspired and also reminded they are not alone — others are trying to do similar things. The digital space is still so young, but what I saw were people picking up their digital relationships face-to-face and then were almost eager to get home and continue digitally; the digital and the face-to-face interactions had each enhanced the quality, depth and care of the connections.
Our profession will not be mandated into meeting the needs of modern learners but the power of networks and new thinking around affiliation can help diffuse the work.
I had the real pleasure of being one of the speakers last Wednesday. I have shared by slides and the video of my presentation below. This will give you a sense of the event. My presentation is based on a blog post that I wrote a couple of years ago about swimming.
Slides (thanks to Bob Frid who took many of the amazing photos I used):
Video (thanks Craig Cantlie for videoing the event):
I had recently attended a conference – the kind where a ballroom of people listen to a keynote for an hour – and do that over and over. Comparing the two events I know which was more influential in moving the conversation forward. We need to find new ways to affiliate – more Ignites, more TEDx Events, more EdCamps. The future of changing education is through networks.
I really enjoyed your presentation Chris. Wish we could have met that evening, but there were so many people in the room! I left the evening feeling very inspired and hopeful – I love sharing out with other parents some of the great things that are happening in education. I think this will also assist with transforming education. ~Karen Copeland
Thank you Karen. Your talk resonated with me and so many others in the room. Like you – I left inspired and hopeful. We have so many people wanting to do good things for young people in our province. It is nice to be reminded of this from time to time.
Now I really wish I could’ve snuck down a day earlier than I did! But excited that the conversation is moving forward!!
It was a great night – but we will hopefully do it again in the new year!
Hi Chris – very interesting thoughts – i am presently working at BC Offshore school but spent 25 years in Ontario working as an educator – I have a colleague, Stephen Hurley, that shares a similiar vision to you of bringing educators together in our digitial world – it was his vision to bring the edcamp vision to Ontario – here is his web site – http://voiced.ca/ – i thought you might want to connect – i will forward him your blog entry – gerry
Thanks Gerry. Very nice to connect. This is proof of what a small education world we have – I actually know Stephen from some work we have done with the Canadian Education Association. Thanks for bringing us together on this topic.
[…] instead from co-conspirators! Will events such as what @chrkennedy referred to in a recent blog: https://cultureofyes.ca/2014/11/24/affiliation-and-ignite/ events such as edcamps, tedx, ignites! and others help to still create the “je ne sais quoi” […]
[…] instead from co-conspirators! Will events such as what @chrkennedy referred to in a recent blog: https://cultureofyes.ca/2014/11/24/affiliation-and-ignite/ events such as edcamps, tedx, ignites! and others help to still create the “je ne sais quoi” […]
Chris,
I love this quote and think I’d like to borrow it as I launch a pro-d series which I’m gathering some people and planning in our district, “people connected not by role, not by location, but by passion”.
I fully agree that the transformation needs to ‘belong’ to the network of change agents (at all levels) and not to any one group. (My Connectivism bias – groups are limited while networks are unlimited).
Great presentation, it resonated with me.
Dave.
Thanks Dave. I think the network movement is very strong in BC. Maybe it is our history of strong network structures within districts and between districts. I know the Learning Teams in Coquitlam will very helpful in moving practice forward and we are seeing the same thing with our similarly structured innovation teams in West Vancouver. What a great night of talks that were so complimentary of one another – a sign we are all moving in similar directions.
[…] about their experiences (see #yvrignite). I echo Chris Kennedy’s thoughts, written in this post, Affiliation and Ignite. The evening provided a forum to network with individuals interested not only in education, but […]
I appreciate your observations about what we have learned about networks and networking over the years in BC through initially NPBS, and now NOII and AESN. Networks cannot be mandated and they cannot be controlled. they do need to be led and they do need to be supported. I become a bit worried when something becomes ‘popular.’ We have seen the danger when e.g AFL is seen as a ‘program’ rather than as a way of shifting ownership from teacher to learner. I also worry when inquiry is seen as a ‘project’ rather than a disposition or mindset. It is easy to say the word network but much harder to embody the spirit. What has worked for us in BC is the third space that has been created that is not directly controlled by government, associations or districts – AND is supported by all groups as a way of creating real quality and equity. Love the format of Ignite your passion for discovery.
[…] After attending his first Ignite Night, Chris Kennedy, Superintendent of West Van Schools, enthused: “You could walk around the room; it had a greater sense of community and was more connected than any staff meeting … People were inspired and also reminded they are not alone — others are trying to do similar things. … It is these types of coalitions that are going to bring about change in education. This is the new world of affiliation — people connected not by role, not by location, but by passion.” (see his post Affiliation and Ignite) […]