Jul 31, 2020

The Dialogic Learning Weekly #182

By Tom Barrett • Issue #182 • View online

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch recently to share what resonates from these weekly musings. It is affirming to know that a few carefully selected ideas can have an impact on you. Also it is just lovely to know you are there.

Some great resources to share this week on ethics, biophilia and conscious leadership. Let’s get into it.

Ethical Explorer

Toolkits and resources to support our understanding of ethics, always stand out to me. I think that ethical thinking, reflection and dialogue are under represented in the learning experiences we design. And it would seem it is much more difficult to find ethics resources to add to our cognitive toolkit.

This example is specifically designed for the creation of new technology, but includes some great prompts and provocations.

I particularly enjoyed how the author’s frame their aspirations for the framework:

Support human values

Be intentional about building tech that values fundamental human rights, empowers users, and creates healthy online experiences.

Create a culture of questioning

Recognize, challenge, and question the decisions we make. The more we use our voices, the more we’ll inspire others to do the same.

Ignite change through dialogue

Start small, discover common ground, and empower your team to create human-centered technology—one conversation at a time.

Explore the site and get the free download, take a look, maybe the prompts will inspire you to create something for your students or colleagues.

Ethical Explorer Pack

Tools to help manage the future impact of today’s technology.

ethicalexplorer.org • Share

14 Patterns of Biophilic Design

This week I attended a webinar that explored the role of Biophilic Design in education. Led by Oliver Holt, and presented by Interface it was titled Human Centred Design - Improving Outcomes in Education Environments with Biophilic Design.

Biophilia is the humankind’s innate biological connection with nature. It helps explain why crackling fires and crashing waves captivate us; why a garden view can enhance our creativity; why shadows and heights instill fascination and fear; and why animal companionship and strolling through a park have restorative, healing effects.

Lockdown restrictions have certainly magnified our awareness of the physical environment we live, work and learn in. We notice what is there and what is not. We are more aware than ever before of what we miss, and what we are drawn to. I believe our students will return with a sharper definition of their effective learning space.

It is likely that our education spaces will not live up to that new standard. One area that we might focus on is biophilic design.

The essay listed below was created by Terrapin Bright Green, a US based sustainability consultancy. They share biophilic design in context and outline 14 patterns of this approach.

I found it a powerful set of provocations to consider for learning spaces projects. The patterns break open the “more green space” or “better outdoor learning” intentions we often see, and gives us much needed depth in what we might strive for in our learning environments.

14 Patterns of Biophilic Design

This paper puts biophilic design in context with architectural history, health sciences and current architectural practices, and briefly touches on key implementation considerations, then presents biophilic design patterns.

www.terrapinbrightgreen.com • Share

Leadership Choices

To finish this week a framework of leadership choices I discovered from the Conscious Leadership group, a US based consultancy founded by Jim Dethmer and Diana Chapman.

The framework that resonated with me was their 15 Commitments “a list of some of the many ways we distract ourselves from being with and expressing our authentic feelings and thoughts.”

I like the way the commitments are stated alongside the opposite choice, from the belief that life is happening to us. I recall times in my professional life I have been out of control, and it seemed my career was happening to me. Perhaps that’s why I connect with this. Here is an example:

I commit to creating a life of play, improvisation, and laughter. I commit to seeing all of life unfold easefully and effortlessly. I commit to maximizing my energy by honoring rest, renewal and rhythm.

I commit to seeing my life as serious; it requires hard work, effort and struggle. I see play and rest as distractions from effectiveness and efficiency.

Follow the link below to find out more and explore the other choices we might make as leaders - there is a link on the site to download a PDF of the framework.

15 Commitments - Conscious Leadership Group

We invite you to embrace these 15 commitments as your entry-gate into “By Me,” a life free of victimhood.

conscious.is • Share

–

Thanks for joining me - let me know what resonates.

Don’t panic but the next time I send a newsletter we will be in August. If anyone knows where July went, please drop me a note.

In dialogue we trust.

~ Tom

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By Tom Barrett

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