Solving Complex eProblems

Breakout 1, uLearn 2012
Jacqui Patuawa, John Locke, John Clark
(First-time Principals' Programme)

What eProblems are you currently grappling with?

• Staff turnover - systems.
• Staff 'keeping up'.
• Staff - thinking to make change, paradigm shifts.
• Not always jumping on the latest bandwagon. Avoid being a 'fashion victim'.
• Staff wanting the 'silver bullet'.
• Current skills.
• Change of focus - new initiatives, sustainability.
• Accessing quality PD, more responsive/flexible PD.
• Lack of synergy amongst decision makers - the right people taking ownership.
• Level of trust in schools.
• Credibility - (book) trust in organisations around 20%

BES Leadership Evidence Overview - what leaders do in schools that have the most effect on student achievement.
School Leadership and Student Outcomes: Identifying what works and why. - Robinson, VMJ, Hohepa,M., Lloyd, C. (2009)

Problem Solving and the Iceberg

• Events  (top, above water)
• Patterns and trends (below water)
• Systemic structures (further below water)
• Mental models (further below water) - what are other people thinking about this? Values, beliefs and attitudes.

It's better to hear it than not to hear it.  Allows you to take something on board, take ownership and fix it!  There may be something you haven't thought of, or seen it from a different viewpoint.

Listening!  Summarise key ideas.  Be mindful to listen and paraphrase, not think ahead!

Every now and then check in with others - someone you trust and others.

The most important part of problem solving is recognising the problem' constraints - the things that must clearly be taken into account when coming up with an adequate solution.

Communication with parents needs to move away from achievement and behaviour, and talk about what learning is!

Concerns can be Goals.  Listening to concerns and developing goals based on these.

From Good to Great (book) - Reflect on oneself.

Bypassing Techers' Theory of Action - Student-Centered Leadership

Leader's Change Agenda

• Leader's Theory of Action
• Teacher's Theory of Action

Agreed Evaluation of Each Theory

• Joint Decision to Change
• Joint Decision Not to Change