Comments on: “The Vision Thing” http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2008/04/06/the-vision-thing/ "We learn from our experience.....if we reflect upon our experience" John Dewey Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:50:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jane Peterson http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2008/04/06/the-vision-thing/#comment-10701 Jane Peterson Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:33:25 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2008/04/06/the-vision-thing/#comment-10701 I suppose you could also compare this model with medicine; why try to fix an ingrowing toenail when the patient has a complex psychological and physiological make-up which require a holistic approach? I appreciate you have to fix the toe as well, but what if you spend so much time looking at the fixable short-term items, that you have no energy left to pursue the 'vision' stuff? I think there are going to be quite a few social changes over the next few years which will impact on education, and we're going to need the big picture more than ever. I suppose you could also compare this model with medicine; why try to fix an ingrowing toenail when the patient has a complex psychological and physiological make-up which require a holistic approach? I appreciate you have to fix the toe as well, but what if you spend so much time looking at the fixable short-term items, that you have no energy left to pursue the ‘vision’ stuff? I think there are going to be quite a few social changes over the next few years which will impact on education, and we’re going to need the big picture more than ever.

]]> By: Andrea Reid http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2008/04/06/the-vision-thing/#comment-10700 Andrea Reid Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:18:29 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2008/04/06/the-vision-thing/#comment-10700 Difficult and challenging times, but of an evening I'm always cheered when I read your thoughts. Difficult and challenging times, but of an evening I’m always cheered when I read your thoughts.

]]> By: Ian Stuart http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2008/04/06/the-vision-thing/#comment-10698 Ian Stuart Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:40:35 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2008/04/06/the-vision-thing/#comment-10698 You talk of the tradition of Engineering but they had a bigger picuture of what they want to achieve. Where as the single step ahead appraoch which seems prevailent in Scottish Education means that we keep walking but not a clue about the direction. I think it goes back to your article for the TESS, "Revolution, not evolution". So who is to provide this vision? What will happen if only some agree with the vision provided? These really are difficult and challenging times You talk of the tradition of Engineering but they had a bigger picuture of what they want to achieve. Where as the single step ahead appraoch which seems prevailent in Scottish Education means that we keep walking but not a clue about the direction.
I think it goes back to your article for the TESS, “Revolution, not evolution”.
So who is to provide this vision? What will happen if only some agree with the vision provided? These really are difficult and challenging times

]]> By: Neil Winton http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2008/04/06/the-vision-thing/#comment-10697 Neil Winton Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:10:23 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2008/04/06/the-vision-thing/#comment-10697 Don, As you describe the process above, I am reminded of something I was told a long time ago. The difference can also be compared to the male and female approaches to problem solving rather than a specific 'Scottish' approach. Men are generally looking for solutions where women are better at long-term action. I apologise for not being able to give a link, but I remember that this was given as the reason for around 80% of Microsoft's employees being female. Apparently (as I was told it), the 20% of male staff are very good at 'problem-solving' but not so good at finishing things off... so they bodge together a solution of sorts — the temptation to make a Vista joke is immense — and then leave it to the female staff to take care of the actual fixing and long term care of the project... I am NOT suggesting that men or women are in any way better than the other (as I hope you realise), but I wonder whether it have been men or women who have been the driving force in Scottish Education over the past twenty or so years... I suspect the XY's have a lot to answer for! ;0) Don,
As you describe the process above, I am reminded of something I was told a long time ago. The difference can also be compared to the male and female approaches to problem solving rather than a specific ‘Scottish’ approach. Men are generally looking for solutions where women are better at long-term action. I apologise for not being able to give a link, but I remember that this was given as the reason for around 80% of Microsoft’s employees being female. Apparently (as I was told it), the 20% of male staff are very good at ‘problem-solving’ but not so good at finishing things off… so they bodge together a solution of sorts — the temptation to make a Vista joke is immense — and then leave it to the female staff to take care of the actual fixing and long term care of the project…

I am NOT suggesting that men or women are in any way better than the other (as I hope you realise), but I wonder whether it have been men or women who have been the driving force in Scottish Education over the past twenty or so years… I suspect the XY’s have a lot to answer for! ;0)

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