Inspiring the next
generation of
leaders, thinkers
and problem-
solvers
derek@futuremakers.nz
@dwenmoth
www.futuremakers.nz
http://www.futuremakers.nz/blog
It’s about System
not Structure
Learning Spaces Aotearoa 2024
Friday 9 August
Te Auaha, NZ Institute of Creativity
• Many education reforms swing wildly between extremes, searching for a silver bullet solutions to
wickedly complex problems. In the midst of this turmoil we need to shift from focusing purely on
structures such as curriculum, timetables and classroom design, to embracing a broader, systems
thinking approach.
• This mini-talk explores the landscape of change in education, and looks at practical ways to cultivate a
systems thinking approach to transforming the experience of schooling.
• 50 minutes
• https://futuremakers.nz/2024/05/18/understanding-systemness/
• https://futuremakers.nz/2024/06/22/bringing-back-the-inkwells/
• https://teachbetter.com/blog/transforming-learning-space-20-questions-educators-should-ask/
“Lack of central guidance and
support is unnecessarily
increasing workloads and
inducing stress and distrust of
national reforms among
principals and teachers.”
(OECD, page 118)
https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/oecd-economic-surveys-new-zealand-2024_603809f2-en#page82
Competing philosophies
Philosophy A Philosophy B
Education Broken, but can be fixed
(quickly)
Long term investment in the future
Technology Drives change Enables, supports and accelerates
change
Teachers Another problem to be fixed Supported professionals
Learners The future workforce More than just the future workforce
Innovation Flourishes in all directions Got to be scalable and sustainable
Success Input targets and
attainment
Wider long-term benefits
Curriculum Don’t trust teachers -
‘package’ it up
Guidance and support for teachers
Competing philosophies
Philosophy A Philosophy B
Education Broken, but can be fixed
(quickly)
Long term investment in the
future
Technology Drives change Enables, supports and
accelerates change
Teachers Another problem to be fixed Supported professionals
Learners The future workforce Future citizens
Innovation Flourishes in all directions Must be scalable and
sustainable
Success Input targets and
attainment
Wider long-term benefits,
personal and society
Curriculum Don’t trust teachers -
‘package’ it up
Guidance and support for
teachers
Our system is performing below potential.
Student achievement is declining and equity is not improving, and
outcomes are far too variable even in the same school.
https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/oecd-economic-surveys-new-zealand-2024_603809f2-en#page82
Key findings...
• New Zealand has a deep pool of highly talented and motivated teaching individuals, but the
system is performing below potential.
• Declining education performance and ongoing inequity are a serious threat to NZ’s prosperity.
• Support elements are lacking, including a sufficiently detailed curriculum and efficient
assessment tools.
• National reforms have put NZ teachers under ‘above average’ stress.
• The MoE operational capacity has been pared back too far.
• The education system’s significant assets could be leveraged more.
• New principals are not receiving enough training.
• Time actually spent on teaching and learning is below OECD average.
• Centres of excellence operate too much in isolation and lack support has fostered distrust.
• NZ is the world leader for preparing teachers for a multicultural environment.
https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/oecd-economic-surveys-new-zealand-2024_603809f2-en#page82
Points of failure in our system...
• New Zealand has a deep pool of highly talented and motivated teaching individuals, but the
system is performing below potential.
• Declining education performance and ongoing inequity are a serious threat to NZ’s prosperity.
• Support elements are lacking, including a sufficiently detailed curriculum and efficient
assessment tools.
• National reforms have put NZ teachers under ‘above average’ stress.
• The MoE operational capacity has been pared back too far.
• The education system’s significant assets could be leveraged more.
• New principals are not receiving enough training.
• Time actually spent on teaching and learning is below OECD average.
• Centres of excellence operate too much in isolation and lack support has fostered distrust.
• NZ is the world leader for preparing teachers for a multicultural environment.
https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/oecd-economic-surveys-new-zealand-2024_603809f2-en#page82
Focus on structures...
• Allocation of most tasks to teachers
• 9-3 school day
• Division of human knowledge into ‘subjects’
• Set class groups based on age
• ‘Egg-crate’ classrooms
• Notion of a stand-alone school
• Division of staff by ‘subjects’
• Period-based timetable
• Limiting formal schooling to years 0-13
• Linear curriculum
1996, Prof. Hedley Beare
Ripple Effect Challenge
Photo by Linus Nylund on Unsplash
Your team has been given the task of redesigning the school's main entrance and
reception area.
Identify at least five ways this seemingly simple change could impact different
aspects of the school ecosystem beyond just the physical space.
Consider effects on:
Student behaviour and well-being
Parent and community engagement
Administrative processes
Teaching and learning activities
School security and safety
Environmental sustainability
Long-term adaptability of the space
The Ripple Effect
Feedback:
• Share your most insightful or surprising
"ripple effects"
• How does this exercise demonstrate the
interconnectedness of school systems?
“Many education reforms swing
wildly between extremes,
searching for a silver bullet
solutions to wickedly complex
problems. In the midst of this
turmoil we need to shift from
focusing purely on structures such
as curriculum, timetables and
classroom design, to embracing a
broader, systems thinking
approach.”
https://www.arup.com/globalassets/downloads/insights/future-of-schools.pdf
1 2
3 4
5 6
“This new paradigm of education
requires a complete rethinking about
every aspect of the entire education
system, from the definition of quality
to accountability measures, from
curriculum to pedagogy, from
learning settings to evaluation and
assessment and from selection to
credentialing.”
Yong Zhao
Thank You
derek@futuremakers.nz
@dwenmoth
www.futuremakers.nz
http://futuremakers.nz/blog

Educational transformation is about System, not structures

  • 1.
    Inspiring the next generationof leaders, thinkers and problem- solvers [email protected] @dwenmoth www.futuremakers.nz http://www.futuremakers.nz/blog It’s about System not Structure Learning Spaces Aotearoa 2024 Friday 9 August Te Auaha, NZ Institute of Creativity
  • 2.
    • Many educationreforms swing wildly between extremes, searching for a silver bullet solutions to wickedly complex problems. In the midst of this turmoil we need to shift from focusing purely on structures such as curriculum, timetables and classroom design, to embracing a broader, systems thinking approach. • This mini-talk explores the landscape of change in education, and looks at practical ways to cultivate a systems thinking approach to transforming the experience of schooling. • 50 minutes • https://futuremakers.nz/2024/05/18/understanding-systemness/ • https://futuremakers.nz/2024/06/22/bringing-back-the-inkwells/ • https://teachbetter.com/blog/transforming-learning-space-20-questions-educators-should-ask/
  • 3.
    “Lack of centralguidance and support is unnecessarily increasing workloads and inducing stress and distrust of national reforms among principals and teachers.” (OECD, page 118) https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/oecd-economic-surveys-new-zealand-2024_603809f2-en#page82
  • 4.
    Competing philosophies Philosophy APhilosophy B Education Broken, but can be fixed (quickly) Long term investment in the future Technology Drives change Enables, supports and accelerates change Teachers Another problem to be fixed Supported professionals Learners The future workforce More than just the future workforce Innovation Flourishes in all directions Got to be scalable and sustainable Success Input targets and attainment Wider long-term benefits Curriculum Don’t trust teachers - ‘package’ it up Guidance and support for teachers
  • 5.
    Competing philosophies Philosophy APhilosophy B Education Broken, but can be fixed (quickly) Long term investment in the future Technology Drives change Enables, supports and accelerates change Teachers Another problem to be fixed Supported professionals Learners The future workforce Future citizens Innovation Flourishes in all directions Must be scalable and sustainable Success Input targets and attainment Wider long-term benefits, personal and society Curriculum Don’t trust teachers - ‘package’ it up Guidance and support for teachers
  • 7.
    Our system isperforming below potential. Student achievement is declining and equity is not improving, and outcomes are far too variable even in the same school. https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/oecd-economic-surveys-new-zealand-2024_603809f2-en#page82
  • 8.
    Key findings... • NewZealand has a deep pool of highly talented and motivated teaching individuals, but the system is performing below potential. • Declining education performance and ongoing inequity are a serious threat to NZ’s prosperity. • Support elements are lacking, including a sufficiently detailed curriculum and efficient assessment tools. • National reforms have put NZ teachers under ‘above average’ stress. • The MoE operational capacity has been pared back too far. • The education system’s significant assets could be leveraged more. • New principals are not receiving enough training. • Time actually spent on teaching and learning is below OECD average. • Centres of excellence operate too much in isolation and lack support has fostered distrust. • NZ is the world leader for preparing teachers for a multicultural environment. https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/oecd-economic-surveys-new-zealand-2024_603809f2-en#page82
  • 9.
    Points of failurein our system... • New Zealand has a deep pool of highly talented and motivated teaching individuals, but the system is performing below potential. • Declining education performance and ongoing inequity are a serious threat to NZ’s prosperity. • Support elements are lacking, including a sufficiently detailed curriculum and efficient assessment tools. • National reforms have put NZ teachers under ‘above average’ stress. • The MoE operational capacity has been pared back too far. • The education system’s significant assets could be leveraged more. • New principals are not receiving enough training. • Time actually spent on teaching and learning is below OECD average. • Centres of excellence operate too much in isolation and lack support has fostered distrust. • NZ is the world leader for preparing teachers for a multicultural environment. https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/oecd-economic-surveys-new-zealand-2024_603809f2-en#page82
  • 10.
    Focus on structures... •Allocation of most tasks to teachers • 9-3 school day • Division of human knowledge into ‘subjects’ • Set class groups based on age • ‘Egg-crate’ classrooms • Notion of a stand-alone school • Division of staff by ‘subjects’ • Period-based timetable • Limiting formal schooling to years 0-13 • Linear curriculum 1996, Prof. Hedley Beare
  • 12.
    Ripple Effect Challenge Photoby Linus Nylund on Unsplash Your team has been given the task of redesigning the school's main entrance and reception area. Identify at least five ways this seemingly simple change could impact different aspects of the school ecosystem beyond just the physical space. Consider effects on: Student behaviour and well-being Parent and community engagement Administrative processes Teaching and learning activities School security and safety Environmental sustainability Long-term adaptability of the space
  • 13.
    The Ripple Effect Feedback: •Share your most insightful or surprising "ripple effects" • How does this exercise demonstrate the interconnectedness of school systems?
  • 14.
    “Many education reformsswing wildly between extremes, searching for a silver bullet solutions to wickedly complex problems. In the midst of this turmoil we need to shift from focusing purely on structures such as curriculum, timetables and classroom design, to embracing a broader, systems thinking approach.”
  • 17.
  • 18.
    “This new paradigmof education requires a complete rethinking about every aspect of the entire education system, from the definition of quality to accountability measures, from curriculum to pedagogy, from learning settings to evaluation and assessment and from selection to credentialing.” Yong Zhao
  • 19.