The Nevada Administrator Forum is Designed for Member Participation.
We have four tools and one key strategy:
- Tool #1 - The Discussion Space - accessible to members only - uses threaded discussions for asynchronous conversations so that you can take plenty of time to think about what you want to say and say it at your convenience. In addition, the main Forum is set up with email notification, so that you will receive email copies of everything that is posted. Each email notice includes a link at the bottom of the message that takes you to the thread from which the comment was sent.
- Tool #2 - C-21 Learning Resources - open to anyone - provides a collection of documents related to the focus questions (illustrated in the graphic, below).
- Tool #3 - User Profile - members only - provides contact information and a personal bio (we encourage members to respond to 3 questions in writing the bio: a. What is my highest life purpose? b. What are my gifts? c. What is my intention?
- Tool #4 - Member Directory - members only - a listing of all members with a link to their user profiles (a key to our networking strategy)
- The Key Strategy - Learning-Creating Journeys - it starts with a question connected to purpose/passion/vision and close the gap between the vision and reality.
A Visual Representation of the 2012-13 Forum
This graphic illustrates the structure and focus questions for this this year's work (as described in Leslie's posting - Second Order Change in 21st Century Learning - A New Ball Game).
Our central focus is the 21st century vision, and our goal, simply stated, is to expand and deepen that vision - for it is the tension between vision (desired future) and current reality that produces the creative tension for our learning-creating journeys.
The small circles that overlap the vision circle are meant to imply that the questions presented are both descrete and embedded to the vision question. It also illustrates that there is no particular order or hierarchy to the related questions. We will let the flow of the conversations (i.e. your comments and questions) determine when/how/why (or even if) we launch additional threads.
You'll notice that the themes of "thinking" and "shifting thinking" are represented in the questions around the circle. That's because a) thinking preceeds action, and b) writing (i.e. participating in the Forum) is a means to clarify one's thinking.
Which brings us to the circle at the top of the graphic: Your Questions?
It is our hope that you will find the focus questions that we framed to be engaging and enlightening, and that you are also welcome to post your questions.
To post your question(s):
- Point to www.schoolchange.net/groupspaces/nde/forum.html.
- If you are not already logged on, you'll see the login page (otherwise, skip to step 4).
- Enter your email address and password
(if you've forgotten your password, there's a link to retrieve it on the login page) - Click the link that says Post a new discussion thread.
- Copy/Paste or enter your question.
- Click "Submit Response".
If you wish assistance/coaching in composing your question, just let us know:
Leslie James, NVDOE Title II-A "Teacher and Principal Grant" Consultant
(ph: 775-687-9134; email: ljames@doe.nv.gov)
Gary Obermeyer, Virtual Community Organizer, Learning Options
(ph: 503-771-7963; email obee@learningoptions.net)