"A dialogue of what education will look like in the future."
First meeting
Shaw Conference Centre
April 29, 2009

The event got underway at 8:30 am with opening remarks, including a video from the Alberta Minister of Education, and a video of Harmony Japanese drumming, then setting the stage for the day's activities.

At our table, there was a retired doctor, a retired banker, a teacher, a concerned parent, a Metis speaker, our facilitator and note taker.

We did our introductions and got started. Our group was very good, many ideas flowing and our facilitator was very experienced as was our note taker, who was a teacher and is now working directly for Alberta Education.

We went through a number of exercises leading to refining our thoughts and concerns and finishing with what we thought would be necessary over the next 20 years.

We covered how we learn, where we learn and from whom we learn. We talked about what we think is wrong with the education system today, and how it could be changed and where it should go. We talked about the qualities and abilities of an Albertan in the 21st century. We thought ourselves into the future 20 years ahead, and looked back at what was a bold or courageous idea or decision of 20 years ago. We went back to 2009 and talked about how we can move it forward into the future. We talked about what actions we can take to help move it forward.

Based on our conclusions/recommendations and those of the other table participants, we will see quite a change over the next few years.

We felt good about the process because:
It is being driven by the Minister of Education, who came up with the idea of these "conversations" around the province. He is committed to ensuring our students are not left behind considering the many changes taking place in a student's environment today.

Was it worth going to for the day? Definitely YES. We felt that is was not a lip-service exercise, but a gathering of valuable information from people of all walks of life and experience. These "conversations" are also being conducted for students around the province as well.

This was the first of 10 "conversations" to be held around the province, finishing by the end of June. A summary of information will be presented at a 3 day conversation and conference in October.

There were many items which came up for discussion. Only a few are mentioned here.

What is school for?
What is necessary for all?
Learning:
learn from around us - our environment
learn from each other and casual conversation
learn from formal education
learn from get togethers, conferences, etc
Mentors
Advisors
Leaders
Collaborators
Internet
TV

Provide opportunity
Encourage to learn
Achievement
Learning how to learn
Mentorship
World view
Web of knowledge
Hope - Life
Open door
Iceberg
Ripple effect - one person/many
What is revelant
New university studies
Distance learning and collaboration
Response time for new technologies and new teaching tools/ideas