Ep. 15: High Tech High, PBL and EduChange17

We kick off the latest episode with Steve sharing his highlights from a recent visit to High Tech High in San Diego. Using Problem Based Learning to develop equity in the classroom, High Tech High is considered one of the best schools in the world. Steve talks about the rigor of the learning that adorns their walls, their onboarding process for new staff and how they develop shared language and collective vision with their staff. A huge shout out to Laura McBain and Randy Scherer for the time they gave up. 

Inspired by the PBL conversation, we take a deep dive into the new Year 10 PBL program at Dean's school. Context is paramount when it comes to implementing cultural change and Dean highlights how leadership helped and supported staff to embrace change. We discuss how staff have been supported to develop new mental models and how scaling lean how allowed his school to learn fast. For Melbournites interested, you can see this in action by jumping on the Innovative Schools bus tour being run by Design and Play's good friend, Trent Ray (details below)

Finally, Steve shares his EduChange17 experience. As usual, flow dominates the conversation but also highlight the power of podcasts to promote professional dialogue, help students debrief and develop their own understanding. We finish the show with the first series of podcasts recorded at EduChange with rich conversations with Carolyn Newell from WeTeachWell and Aaron Davis rounding out the episode.

Show notes

Laura McBain - https://twitter.com/laura_mcbain

Randy Scherer - https://twitter.com/RandellScherer

Inspiration, not Replication - http://amzn.to/2yzfot8

Hands and Minds PBL guide - http://amzn.to/2yzQDNz

High Tech High - https://www.hightechhigh.org/

Most Likely to Succeed - https://www.mltsfilm.org/

Buck Institute - http://www.bie.org/

Microsoft PBL course - https://education.microsoft.com/courses-and-resources/courses/problem-based-learning

Review of High Tech High blog post - http://bit.ly/2uwDRQj

Austin Kleon – Steal like an Artist - https://austinkleon.com/steal/

Adam Grant – Originals - http://www.adamgrant.net/originals

Trent Ray - https://twitter.com/ray_trent

Collective Education - http://www.collectiveeducation.com.au/

Innovative Schools bus tour - http://www.collectiveeducation.com.au/schools-tour-bus.html

James Colbert - https://twitter.com/jcolbert1980

WeTeachWell - https://twitter.com/weteachwell

Carolyn Newell - https://twitter.com/weteachwell

Aaron Davis - https://twitter.com/mrkrndvs

Design and Play are proud members of AEON.net.au