Cross-sector approach
“A number of studies… have shown that the most creative groups are those that include the greatest variety of perspective and experience.” Oliver Moody
Why am I? Why are they?
“The excellence of the teacher is to identify the difference in talents of students”. Roman Scholar Quintilian
Why are young people like they are at each life passage? What can we do so they can do better at each transitional stage?
ELF17 was about making a positive difference to individuals and their communities by understanding life shaping developmental and environmental factors and path changers in the journey from infancy to adulthood in the years 0-25 years, during which the brain matures, and acting on the need for timely interventions for those at risk to get them back on track.
Key research input
The forum picked up on the 45+ years old Dunedin Longitudinal Study. Pioneered by Dr Phil Silva, the University of Otago’s Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study examines the progressive results of ongoing research into the lives of 1,000 New Zealanders born 46 years ago in Dunedin.
Other relevant research came from the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a 39 year study founded by Professor David Fergusson of a birth cohort of 1,265 children born in the Christchurch region in mid-1977; and the University of Auckland’s Growing Up in New Zealand, which is keeping tabs on the growth and development of initially 6,000+ children from a variety of ethnicities. The study aims to improve the lives of their generation and answer the fundamental question: What makes us who we are?
Making a positive difference for children
“If we get it right with everyone’s kids-if they are healthy, well educated, and ready to give something back to the world-then we get it right with everything.'” Peter Rugg
ELF17 had a strong strand relevant to the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki. It was also highly relevant to learners at all levels, including the highly gifted, in terms of unlocking their potential.
As well as developmental themes, ELF17 picked up on the fast changing environment, especially in terms of rapidly evolving learning places and work spaces, and the implications for educators in terms of enhancing teaching and learning and strengthening connections with parents, employers and communities.
Speakers from different sectors were asked to explain how “we together” can help influence the choice of individual learner pathways for the better and how we can draw on support networks if intervention is needed at different stages in life and family development, particularly in the dimensions of health and social development.
While early childhood years are crucial for facilitating the development of healthy and engaged adults who become lifelong learners there are other key life passages, not the least of which is adolescence, where timely intervention can make a huge difference. This can come from the personal coaching of an interested and inspiring teacher or the support of another sympathetic adult, often outside the immediate family circle.
Environmental Factors
“Scientists are increasingly realising that intelligence is less about sheer genetic luck than we tend to think. According to the latest review of the evidence, around 40% of what distinguishes the brainiacs from the blockheads in adulthood is environmental. “
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170612-what-you-can-learn-from-einsteins-quirky-habits 14/06/17
Whether we like it or not, our daily habits have a powerful impact on our brains, shaping their structures and changing the way we think, as demonstrated by a growing body of evidence in respect to neural plasticity. In terms of learning by creating and developing new neural pathways through regular stimulation and practice, we may prefer to use the term “ regular reinforcement” rather than the pejorative “rote” learning and use analogies like learning the piano. We may also be more open to reflect on the importance of the home environment and the key role of an interested adult(s) in encouraging good learning practices.
Better learning and earning trajectories
“Hope is necessary. It is a necessary concept. What do you give your kids if you can’t give them hope?” Michele Obama
It is important to give children hope, as demonstrated in Dr Martin Seligman’s Positive Psychology work. Better learning trajectories and better work pathways, based on the appreciation of individual talents and passions, and helping learners set personalised goals add up to better life choices and outcomes and help to break the cycle of material and cultural poverty.
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Today’s ELF21 zoom session features Anne Riches, The Mindfield Navigator on Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces - a conversation. How can your learning community be an open, safe and supportive mentally healthy workplace and learning space? smartnet.co.nz/elf21/programm…
Cathy Sheppard, Founder & CEO, BSI People Skills is the first speaker for today’s ELF21 zoom session. The topic is Covid Era Changes and Challenges for Education Leaders – Overcoming resistance to change and building a mentally healthy leadership team. smartnet.co.nz/elf21/programm…
Today’s ELF21 zoom session is on Re-positioning Vocational Education and Skills Training. Panelists: Helen Down - Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Ben Naughton - Western Institute Technology Taranaki (WITT) & Diane Lithgow, Skills Consulting Group. smartnet.co.nz/elf21/programm…
Learn the Power of 10 Thinking, a teachable thinking process with internationally renowned Dr Michael Hewitt-Gleeson. Join the ELF21 zoom session Weds 16 June 4.00-5:30pm NZT via smartnet.co.nz/elf21/ Michael co-founded the School of Thinking with the late Edward de Bono.
Virtual ELF21, Series 1 starts Wed 9 June 4.00-5.30 pm NZT. Register Now to access Live and Later. More Info and Registration Options: lnkd.in/gzAFNsF lnkd.in/gwVFGWu Retweeted by Education Leaders Forum (ELF)
Register now for the virtual Education Leaders Forum 2021: 9 - 30 June. Ideas, technology and trends defining future learning smartnet.co.nz/elf21/
Virtual vs In-person meetings in the Covid Era linkedin.com/pulse/virtual-… article by @LyallLukey Convener of Education Leaders Forums (ELF)
Donald Matheson, Media & Communication, @UCNZ on Handling #FakeNews and Flaky Views at #ELF19NZ Education plays a important role in tackling prejudice in #SocialMedia by demonstrating the links between hateful comments and actions. #OnlineSafety #credible #INFORMATION
Anjii Webster (@AnjiiW) from @netsafeNZ presenting for attendees at #ELF19NZ - there are fantastic opportunities in using technology in education. Retweeted by Education Leaders Forum (ELF)
Effects of screen time on preschool health and development from the Ministry of Social Development msd.govt.nz/documents/abou… #elf19nz Retweeted by Education Leaders Forum (ELF)
Recommendations for screen time from Dr Mary Redmayne #elf19nz Retweeted by Education Leaders Forum (ELF)
@AnjiiW, Education Advisor, @netsafeNZ shared some interesting stats in her session '#OnlineSafety and Wellbeing': In 2019, 6% of NZ population between 13-17 yrs have "digitally harmed" themselves. Does #DigitalPrivacy exist? #ELF19NZ #DigitalCitizenship
A slightly different spin from our other sessions on #digitization in education, and providing #equal #digitalaccess - Dr Mary Redmayne, Independent Researcher, on Dangers of Screen Overuse. #ELF19NZ
The question is not whether we agree on #automation and #AI but it's about how we are going to support young people to become disruptive innovators by creating new technologies for the rapidly changing #digitalfuture @EducationGovtNZ #ELF19NZ
Hmmmm. Maybe this would be a good reason to start teaching in #Dunedin? dunedin.govt.nz/news-and-event… #ELF19NZ Retweeted by Education Leaders Forum (ELF)
Fraser Liggett, Economic Development Programme Manager, Enterprise Dunedin, DCC speaking on the exciting plans for a new Centre of Digital Excellence, around #gaming and #appdevelopment in #education and #Training. #ELF19NZ
"Open source software is a really good fit for #education. #Collaboration with other educators will produce the best results." Paul Stevens on #OpenSource IT #innovation #ELF19NZ @CatalystNZ
First session for the day with Paul Stevens, GM, The Open Knowledge Group, @CatalystNZ on #education and #OpenSource IT Innovation. "In open source we've really embraced the community; not just at the technical level but at the user level as well." #DisruptiveInnovation #ELF19NZ
Excited about Day 2 of #ELF19NZ - we are looking forward to insightful discussions and workshops on #DigitalDividents & #Dangers
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Virtual vs In-person meetings in the Covid Era
Lyall Lukey, Convener of Education Leaders Forums (ELF), suggests that while in-person conferences are the ultimate, in an uncertain Covid environment and with barriers to participation such as time, travel and accommodation, spaced virtual sessions have compensating advantages-if run properly and if participants are not left to their own devices. View this article on LinkedIn or […]
ELF21- Registrations Now Open
Series 1 features thought and practice leaders in live TED-type presentations and small group conversations, reinforced by post-session digital resources Register Now
The upside of the tech revolution in education in an upside down world
Lyall Lukey, Convenor of Education Leaders Forums (ELF) since 2007, responds to a pre-Covid article on EdTech and previews virtual live ELF20: Leading Change and Managing Transitions. https://educationcentral.co.nz/the-upside-of-the-tech-revolution-in-education-in-an-upside-down-world/
