The Continuing conversation Forum opened Sunday night with an incredible presentation by the keynote speaker, Dan Pink. He talked about left brain and right brain attributes and why he believes that right brain users will be the future.

On Monday and Tuesday, there were more speakers and round table discussions by people at each table. There was approximately 800-1000 people attending, and so many interesting points of view were heard. The table discussions were noted by a facilitator at each table.

The Minister of Education, Dave Hancock was there, as well as his Deputy Minister, MLAs, many Alberta Education folks, school trustees, Board of Education members from all over the province, teachers and participants outside the formal education arena but who have input to school boards and education in general.

By the end of the day on Tuesday, I felt that there was significant input from participants being recorded and the discussion items were going to Alberta Education at the same time by wireless computer entries at each table.

The other guest speakers talked about other aspects of moving our minds into 21st century learning and teaching.

I liberated the following excerpt about the speakers from Inspiring Education and filled in the rest.

Daniel H. Pink, the author of a trio of provocative, bestselling books on the changing world of work, including A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule the Future. He talked about creativity in the new economy. He advised that we need a greater degree of creativity and autonomy that we've been comfortable with in the past. Alter the focus of science, technology, engineering and math education in order to move beyond routinized learning to a more creative approach.

Dr. Jennifer James, a cultural anthropologist specializing in the human face of technological change and the development of cultural intelligence. She spoke of cultural mythologies, a gut feeling about they way things ought to be, about moving away from some of the prevailing mythologies in education. She also discussed some of the transformations made possible by technology and in particular interactive media.

Dr. Mark Milliron, who explores leadership development, future trends, learning strategies, and the human side of technology change. He talked about, "Transcendent Learning Outcomes". He discussed how we've created blended digital mobile infrastructures and how these are changing the way we live, work and play. He advised that it is inevitable that the transformative technology, including the innovative use of gaming, will begin to impact how we learn. He advised that we are preparing students for jobs that don't yet exist. He suggested we need to shift our focus to achieving, "transcendent learning outcomes" that are based on four types of learning: critical, creative, social and courageous.

Dr. Indira Samarasekera, President of the University of Alberta, one of Canada’s most respected research-intensive universities. She gave an inspired look at the world view of post-secondary education. She talked about creativity and critical thinking and involving and engaging the students.

Each guest speaker gave a tremendous presentation and each presentation was well worth listening to.

It was said that sometime next year India will be the largest English-speaking country in the world. English seems to be the language of the new economy and most countries are embracing it to be competitive.

It appears that the government is leaning toward a major change in the school curriculum and it seemed the speakers were there to help introduce and re-enforce the change of thinking. There have been a number of opportunities for people (such as; teachers, parents, students, etc.) to share their concerns and make recommendations for future learning opportunities, starting last January. Hopefully more people will be on board by the time the changes take effect.

The way it is...
There will be change - the status quo can no longer continue.
The School Act will be changed.
Policy based on the School Act will be changed.
Teaching staff will teach a revised curriculum.
Those who can not or will not go with the change become the dinosaurs and dis-advantaged.

There was much more discussed at the Forum and I'll try to add more to this blog entry as time slips by.

Good teaching ... Good listening...

Cheers - Mike