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posted by:
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Jim Vanides
on May 17, 2003
at 8:06PM
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subject:
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Thoughts on Legacy and Sustainability
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I really enjoyed Mark's article, especially the thought provoking
comment about Legacy:
"...This means that the districts, schools, teachers and communities
that are part of LSCs are somehow different - somehow better in
important ways - than they were before..."
In the LSC I was involved in (BASEE), I see the legacy as being
multi-faceted:
* thousands of students are DOING science instead of simply hearing
about it
* teachers have new views of learning and teaching (inquiry, discovery,
performance-based assessment)
* districts have a commitment to professional development
* a new network of professionals within and between school districts
now exists
But there remains this problem of entropy. Sustainability depends on a
constant energy input. Some of this is institutional, but some of it
will be grass-roots, independent of funding and politics.
I really liked Linda Mooney's description of one way this can work,
through “..Critical Friends Groups. Right now our topics are science
related, but these professional dialogues / protocols can be used to
enhance a culture of inquiry in all academic areas.”
I believe the key to sustainability is this sort of shift in culture.
Anything we do that enhances/supports the Community of Practice (in and
between districts) will have long-term benefits for the teachers and
students.
- Jim
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