Conversation #1

Joseph Bonnici

• Innovation Academy Coordinator, The American School of Lima, Peru

Jordan Bowman

• MS Humanities Teacher, AIS Johannesburg & Founder of JIS Studios in Jakarta

Lynette Hillier

• Science Teacher, Manea Senior College, Australia and Co-founder of the South West Innovation Academy, Western Australia

Gareth Manning

• Lead Educator and Dream-to-Reality Provocateur, REAL School Budapest

Austin Volz

• Global Director of Extensions, Avenues: The World School

Michele Watson

• Innovation and Community Links Coordinator, Manea Senior College, Australia and Co-founder of the South West Innovation Academy, Western Australia

The focus for this first conversation is to:

• Provide clarity around the initial purpose of a collaborative diploma

• Break down some big problems to understand the root causes

• Share values that are currently missing in our schools

• Leave with a clear purpose around WHY each of us is here

The list below was generated by taking the needs from the chats in both conversations and the needs people wrote when they filled out the registration form. We then used ChatGPT to synthesize and categorize the information.

1. Personalized, Meaningful Learning Experiences

• Personalization: There is a clear demand for more personalized learning pathways that cater to the individual interests, strengths, and future aspirations of each student, moving away from a one-size-fits-all curriculum.

• Meaningful Learning: Educators emphasize the need for learning experiences that are authentic, relevant, and connected to what society needs, allowing students to apply what they learn in practical, impactful ways that help them find purpose. This includes project-based learning, interdisciplinary learning, competency-based learning, and opportunities for students to experiment, tinker, and fail safely.

• Choice and Flexibility: Schools are seeking to offer more choices within the curriculum, including more elective options, different diploma pathways, and the ability to tailor learning experiences to the needs and interests of students. Flexibility in learning formats, such as asynchronous and synchronous opportunities, is also highlighted.

• Critical Skill Development: The development of skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, collaboration, and communication, is seen as essential. Educators are looking for ways to integrate these skills into the curriculum, helping students to find purpose and build character skills. 

2. Well-being and Inclusion

• Mental Health and Well-being: There's an acute awareness of the importance of supporting students' mental health and overall well-being, integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into the curriculum, and creating systems within schools to support these efforts.

• Inclusion (belonging): Ensuring that educational offerings are inclusive, recognizing and accommodating diverse learning needs and backgrounds, and making every student feel valued and supported in their learning journey.

3. Recognition & Support Systems

• Recognition of Non-traditional Pathways: There is a significant need for external recognition (from universities, industries, etc.) of non-traditional learning pathways, ensuring that these alternatives are valued equally to traditional diplomas and credentials.

• Support Systems: Educators are calling for better support systems within schools to facilitate the implementation of innovative programs, including resources, training, and infrastructure.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging parents, students, and external stakeholders like universities in understanding and valuing diverse educational pathways is crucial. This includes clear communication, building trust in non-traditional options, and ensuring these pathways are recognized and respected by higher education institutions and employers.

The list below was generated by taking the values from the chats in both conversations and using ChatGPT to synthesize and categorize the information.

1. Empowerment and Agency

• We value students as active participants in their learning journey. This means empowering them with autonomy and choice, and helping them cultivate their unique identities (including self-awareness and self-regulation). We strive to design learning experiences that are adaptable to the individual learner, offering pathways that resonate with their passions, interests, and future aspirations.

2. Well-being and Inclusion

• We value mental and emotional health, fostering a culture of care and compassion, and ensuring educational experiences are inclusive and equitable. We strive to design learning environments where everyone feels valued, supported, and a strong sense of belonging.

3. Meaningful Learning Experiences and Real-world Impact

• We value learning that enables students to make meaningful contributions to our community and the planet, that promotes sustainability, and that encourages students to build character and explore their purpose. We strive to design learning experiences that help students meet the demands of the modern, unpredictable world like creative thinking and innovative problem solving.