A group of a dozen educators got together on August 7, 2012 in Chippewa Falls, WI to develop a plan to shift educational paradigms. This slideshow was prepared by Jim Adams, Barney Slowey, and Tamara Sharp.

3. An Education Paradigm Shift
Why do we need a paradigm shift?
• Current learning environments are based on a
“one size fits all” model.
• The curriculum is disconnected
• The educational system is “Educentric” not
learner centered
• The organizational structure prevents innovation
from educators, administrators, and learners

4. An Educationa Paradigm Shift
Why do we need paradigm shift?
• The system’s performance is based on false
metrics – Standardized tests do not indicate
the ability of learners to apply what has been
learned to new and unique situations
• Real learning/understanding is rare
• The system doesn’t take advantage of what
has been learned about the brain and how
learning occurs

5. An Why do we need a paradigm shift?
• Many schools are too large for the proper
educational development of learners
• State and National standards have caused
standardization
• The system is not taking advantage of the
current technology available in the world
• The system is not producing citizens that our
country needs

6. An Education Paradigm Shift
Imagine a different
Learning Environment

7. Shifting The Educational Paradigm

9. Shifting The Educational Paradigm To One That:
Understands how learning occurs in individuals
Helps learners find their way of learning
Helps learners understand themselves
Creates a learning community
Creates learning environments based on learner passions
Does not grade and sort learners
Creates a culture of caring and respect
Uses technology as a learning tool
Integrates subject matter
Has no bells or set class periods
Failure is part of learning

10. Shifting The Educational Paradigm To One That:
Takes advantage of local resources
Allows learners to advance at their own pace
Fosters and encourages creativity
Allows local experts to help in the learning process
Encourages and welcomes collaborative learning
Involves the learner in developing their own curriculum
Bases learning on current brain research and best practice
Invites learners of all ages to participate
Allows learners to construct their own knowledge
Helps learners become servant leaders

11. Shifting The Educational Paradigm To One That:
Design, implementation, and building are part of learning
Bases school discipline on a restorative justice system
Integrates university teacher training
Provides technology for each learner
Emphasizes learning how to learn
Facilities are designed with open architecture (monolithic dome concept)
Is relevant/task/project oriented
Eliminates “power grabbing” within the organization
Educates parents/guardians on helping their children succeed
Contributes to the community it resides in

12. Shifting the Curriculum Paradigm
Seven Learning Emphasis
Learners establish a schedule and how they will meet the earning emphasis
When established criteria is met student and staff sign off
The learning time frame can be 4 years more or less

14. Shifting the Curriculum Paradigm
Math Science & Technology
· Measurement
· Data Collection/Processing
· Geometry
· Chemistry
· Physics
· Home Maintenance & Technology
· Tools & Machines
· Electronics
· Robotics
· Hydraulics
· Building/Construction
· Wood Working
· Mechanics
· Transportation
· Communications Technology
· Man-Machine Interfaces
· Architecture
· Systems

15. Shifting the Curriculum Paradigm
Human Culture
· Social Studies
· Servant Leadership
· Mathematics (Pure)
· Government/Civics
· English Language Arts
· Historical Thinking
· Fine Arts Appreciation & Participation
· Conflict Resolution
· Serving A Community
· Cultural Diversity
· Empathy
· Teamwork & Collaboration
· Foreign Language/Linguistics
· Psychology
· Law/Law Enforcement
· Anthropology
· Philosophy
· Innovations in thinking

16. Shifting the Curriculum Paradigm
Life-long Learning
· Reading (Casual, Technical, Content)
· Writing (Casual, Technical, Content)
· Math Sense & Computing (Consumer Emphasis)
· Problem Solving
· Speaking & Listening
· Researching & Obtaining Information
· Analysis & Questioning
· Critical Thinking
· Demonstrating An Understanding
· Knowing How You Are Smart
· How The Brain Works & Learning Process
· Initiative & Self Directed Learning
· Intellectual Honesty
· Personal Reflection - Developing A Mission & Goals

17. Shifting the Curriculum Paradigm
Making a Living
· Economics - Local/World
· World Trade
· Becoming Self Sufficient
· Being Responsible & Productive (Quality)
· Career Opportunities
· Entrepreneurs/Business Incubation
· Basic Business Operations
· Marketing
· Negotiating
· Apprenticeships
· Accounting & Record Keeping - Taxes
· Futuristics

18. Shifting the Curriculum Paradigm
Maturing in a Changing World
· Use Of Leisure Time - Sports/Hobbies/Play
· Ethics And Decision Making
· Physical Education And Health
· Self Discipline & Personal Responsibility
· Optimism Vs. Pessimism And Stress
· Caring For Own And Others Property
· Honesty And Trust Building
· Adapting To Change - Social/Technical
· Child Development - Personal Growth Rate/Patterns
· Money Management
· Housekeeping And Meal Preparation
· Drivers Education
· Parenting And Family Living
· Management
· Time Management
· Multitasking
· Influence Of Advertising And Media
· Insurance Coverage
· Self Image/Personal Appearance
· Knowing Your Own Story

19. Shifting the Curriculum Paradigm
Sharing Our Planet
· Biology
· Ecology
· Earth Science
· Geography
· Respecting Others Space/Life
· Caring For Other Life
· Forestry
· Agriculture
· Space Science
· Animal Science
· Plant Science
· Genetic Engineering

20. Shifting the Curriculum Paradigm
Sharing Our Thoughts
· Writing
· Audio communications
· Public Speaking
· Internet use/language
· E-mail
· Electronic publishing
· Video/phone
· Video presentations
· Electronic presentations
· Graphic arts
· Multimedia authoring

24. Should We Pack Our
Bags and Go Home???

25. An Educational Paradigm Shift
The Delivery System

26. The Learning Environmentalist
A Facilitator of Learning; creating Relevant,
Experiential, Active, Learning, Individually
Tailored, for You (the learner). REALITY

28. Assumptions regarding the Educational Paradigm Shift
Servant Leaders who are Learning Environmentalists
are needed by all organizations/businesses
A new learning environment is necessary to satisfy
the needs of all students in all intelligences.
There is a need for people who have the skills/knowledge
to lead and create individual learning plans and
environments for students and workers.

29. Assumptions regarding the Educational Paradigm Shift
People, schools, institutions will pay a premium for
people with learning environmentalist skills.
A way needs to be found to use technology to get
learners away from technology – away from the screen
and into the real world – using hands/mind and
creativity
Sorting and grading of students will continue in the
name of data collection and school performance ratings.

30. Assumptions regarding the Educational Paradigm Shift
People periodically need rejuvenation in their careers and
personal lives – Learning Environmentalists are
continuously learning and interacting with their peers and
students.
Personal development is as important, or even more
important, than professional development.
Businesses can profit from having Learning
Environmentalists on staff to help create personal and
professional growth within the business culture.

31. Assumptions regarding the Educational Paradigm Shift
Many parents will pay a premium for their children to
experience learner centered learning.
Many districts will pay a premium for people who can
create integrated learning environments for all
students using digital and face-to-face delivery
methods.

32. Educentric
Learnercentric

33. Administrators
Support Staff
Teachers/Instructors
Students
Political Officials
Citizens
Parents
Business People
Give the group the charter of creating a new design
Give the group the power to implement

34. Create A Learning Community
Learner centered professional development
Understanding learners/workers
Researching best practices
Project based learning
Integrated learning techniques
Collaborative learning techniques/research methods
Rejuvenation
Strands of learning
Community Building
Strengths
Technology
Projects
Best Practices

35. A Learning Community Framework
Student centered learning environment
Collaborative, personal, professional, goal-centered,
Everyone ensuring the success of all
Energizing experience for all members
Networking in advisory, work-a-like, and
interest-a-like groups

36. Facilitation Process
No constant lecturing
Responsive to the needs of the community
We look at local and global educational and social issues
Restorative Justice
Visitation of local business and industry
Visitation of local Technical College

37. Facilitation Process
Academic Growth
Readings chosen by learners
Research techniques applied to classroom projects/applications
Community Building – techniques for classroom leadership
Technology Applications – Apply technology in professional and personal life
Multiple choices in demonstration of learning from projects/research
Project Oriented – Something you can use in the classroom – has life after program
Classroom Centered – if what is learned does not apply directly to the classroom we
don’t do it.
Personal and Professional growth
Personal and professional visioning
Professional growth planning
Leadership opportunities within community environment

38. Learning Environmentalists Use Technology
Digital Still and video photography
Audio recording techniques
Screen video capture and editing
Digital photo editing
Digital video editing
Web page design using interactive techniques
Graphic design basics
“Smart” technology such as smart boards, smart phones, tablets
Learning on demand to use technology

39. Software applications for Learning Environmentalists
Adobe Photo Shop Elements
Adobe Premier video editor
Web page editor/creator
Camtasia Studio 7
Moodle
Spread sheets
Simple data base – Works
Advanced word processing
Planners, emailing, and e-buying
Much free software is available

40. Through the Process Learning Environmentalists:
Understand the learners
Understand the learning process
Understand themselves
Become servant leaders
Create a portrait of a graduate
Create appropriate learner centered
learning environments
Learning Environmentalist preparation and getting the
first semester ready is done during the summer months

41. Should we pack up
and go home???

42. An Educational Paradigm Shift
A new choice for future collegiate learners

43. First sessions for New Paradigm Learners
New Paradigm Learners (NPL) are taken through a process designed by
the staff and is similar to that experienced during the summer preparation
First steps for NPL are:
Establish community and values
Learn about how learning occurs, MI, brain function, etc.
Learn about self and best way to learn
Begin laying out an overall learning plan that fulfills the
portrait of a graduate

45. First sessions for New Paradigm Learners
Help NPL’s become:
Self controlled
Self reliant
Self motivated
Self assessed
Self learners
Self managed
Knowledge sharers

46. NPL’s are continuously:
Assessing their work
Working on their projects
Giving demonstrations of learning
Supporting each other in the community
In touch with their facilitators
Meeting their own schedules and making adjustments
Searching for and participating in learning resources
Building their electronic portfolio

47. Common threads through out NPL participation
Community: building community, recognizing stages of
community, getting in and out of different stages, issues
in building community
Strengths based learning: understanding the strengths
based philosophy, taking the strengths assessment, applying
strengths to individual development, looking at strengths
based leadership
Constructing personal knowledge: by curiously questioning, systematically
investigating, sensibly understanding, creatively
applying, accurately assessing, and simply sharing
Using technology as a problem solving tool: finding resources,
Internet usage, social networking, productivity tools, file structure, applying
technologies to leadership/local environments

48. Common threads through out NPL participation
Leadership techniques: facilitation, having fun, creating a
collaborative environment, conflict resolution, getting things
done in a timely manner, teams and teamwork, coaching,
flexibility, networking environments, legal issues/constraints
/requirements, universal human values
Personal and professional growth: empathy, personal and
Professional PDP, attitudes, appreciating others, working with peers
Futuristic thinking: using demographics, finding futuristic
information, people trends, transportation trends, communication
trends, education trends, standard of living trends, applying
futuristic thinking to current situations

49. Common threads through out NPL participation
Understanding learning and the learning process: what is
learning, brain based learning, multiple intelligence, emotional
intelligence, intellectual honesty, creating learning environments,
facilitating learning
Understanding learners: personality types, how to change minds,
poverty to wealth, assessing learning styles, individualizing learning
environments
Project management: budgeting, time-lines, problem definition,
researching, data collection, implementation, assessment, sharing
results

50. What would the portrait of a graduate of this system look like?
May be savings to college because:
No large classroom demands
May take less dedicated teachers
Use of technology may reduce travelling
Subscribing to e-learning sites might be cheaper than hiring professors
Many universities offering free courses
Large number of adults over age of 26 need to return to education
Pass on savings to NPL’s
Less costly education may draw in more learners
Less costly education may draw in non-traditional students