Tag: divergent learning

The People Garden

June 23rd, 2011

Gardens and factories, for all of their conspicuous differences, are similar in that they produce things and do so with high degree of predictability. Factories produce finished products. Gardens are places where fruits, vegetables, flowers, and plants mature.

In the marketplace, companies like Google and Ideo are more like gardens than factories. These companies thrive because they are full of fertile compost, permitting employees to be more creative, engaged, and productive.

Tragic is how pandemic the industrial factory sensibility is in many educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and corporations.

Fortunately places like Gutenberg College and St. Johns College serve as gardens that cultivate creative, collaborative learners and thinkers. These skills have become the x-factor in the 21st century marketplace.

Here’s an activity for you and people you work with. Feel free to print it out. Just click on the image and save it to your computer.

    Sir Ken Robinson “Changing Education Paradigms”

    February 28th, 2011

    RSA added animation to one of Ken Robinson’s talks. I would suggest watching it several times. There’s a lot here in this 11:40 clip. His proposals comprise a call back to an educational paradigm that is consistent with how we actually learn.

      Part 2 of my interview with The Los Angeles Examiner

      February 19th, 2011

      Communication, respect and trust are 3 important issues when dealing with teens. In Part 2 of our Relating With Teens interview, author and speaker Andrew F. Robinson discusses these issues. Although Andrew is based in Oregon, his relevant, practical insights speak to the heart of anyone seeking to make a positive difference in others’ lives. He travels to speak and work with groups here in Los Angeles and all over North America.

      EBB: How can educators and parents reestablish a better form of communication with their teens?

      AFR: Cultivate curiosity! Good communication flows from genuine curiosity. Here are a few elements I explore in The Teen Age.

      1. Say less—this creates space and capacity for connection with teens.

      2. Ask good questions—a good question is one that produces more questions.

      3. Listen—seek to understand the meaning behind the oft-confusing ways teens communicate.

      Notice the natural rhythm that takes place in conversations with people we trust. Such communication serves to connect us with others because there is a natural give and take. These three elements help us create similar rhythms with teens.

      EBB: How do we get teens to return respect?

      AFR: In Put Your Boots On, one of the 40 reflections in The Teen Age, I liken relating to teens to an occupation. When we don’t show up for a job, when we cut corners, we lose the respect of others and may lose our job. Consistency is a key ingredient to fostering mutual respect with teens.

      EBB: What do teens want their parents and educators to do? (or not do?)

      AFR: Though the particulars may vary, all teens would like adults to do the following:

      1. See them—demonstrate the same fascination you would exhibit for a partially buried treasure

      2. Respect them as people regardless of their decisions

      3. Furnish fair, clear, unapologetic guidelines and expectations

      4. Do not try to be their buddy, or so-called, Best Friend Parent

      5. Connect with them

      Over the past decade I’ve conducted numerous interviews with teens. One thing in particular that may surprise adults is the degree to which they want adults to share their own past with them. I explore each of these in my book. Your readers can also watch The 6Teens Project, collection of free videos on our website in which I interview teens about these topics.

      EBB: What conditions are necessary for teens and adults to better connect?

      AFR: The Teen Age contains several reflections that address this question. In short, the essential conditions are generous amounts of time, trust and interaction. All three are necessary. Compromise any of these conditions and we will weaken our connection with teens.

      For more information, write to Andrew at: andrew@peoplechangepeople.com.