iii. step up: share the "why"

Explicitly stating the rationale and motivation for the PD while also asking participants about their personal "why" leads to a shared sense of purpose that fuels authentic learning.

Questions to consider

1. In what way will the facilitator share the context/purpose of the PD with the participants, and the related goals and outcomes?

2. In what formats or manners will participants be able to question and clarify intended learning outcomes?

3. How will the facilitator guide participants to reflect on how the context and purpose of the PD relate to their own contexts and purposes?

transfer tip

Get meta—explain the “why” behind the choice to “Share the Why" with your learners.

Start your session with the why
& here's why ↓

See what we did there?

"If you know your why, you'll figure out the how."

—Corey Poirier, Why Your 'Why' Matters

Your WHY is the essential purpose of what you do. Without sharing a deep sense of the why, your purpose may not come through clearly to participants— and we know that purpose drives deepened learning.

shared purpose = transferability

Before you begin your session, consolidate your purpose into one sentence. This will make it simpler to convey your why to participants, and increase the likelihood that they hear you, making your why their why as they share your intention of the PD session.

Pro Tip

Once you share the “why” of the PD with participants, allot time for participants to reflect on how the PD "why" aligns with their personal goals. This action will help them think deeper about their purpose for the learning and also create space for participants to establish their individual purpose for learning, which will enhance ownership and buy-in.

you could try... public narrative

Adapted from Ganz (2009): What Is Public Narrative: Self, Us & Now.

Public Narrative uses three principles to exercise leadership by motivating others to join in action by creating a shared purpose:

Story of Self: "Why were you called to motivate others to join you in this action?" The initial portion of Public Narrative invites the facilitator to be vulnerable, creating a sense of mutual trust between the leader and the audience.
Story of Us: "To what values, experiences, or aspirations of your community...will you appeal to when you call on them to join you in action?" In other words, how do you and your audience share values or experiences?
Story of Now: "What urgent challenge do you hope to inspire others to take action on?" This final portion invites your audience to notice the sense of urgency in your purpose. You may include your PD content as the action step.

Using a Public Narrative strategy is an impactful way to open a PD session and launch into content.

To take this approach, include components of vulnerability, community, and action when you share the purpose for the PD— the "why".

Sharing your why using Public Narrative will hold the attention of your audience and give them p investment in paying attention to the session.

"Teachers need to bring that sense of purpose to the surface. They should talk more about why they went into teaching, why it matters, why they're making this contribution to the world.

This idea of purpose as motivator is not a touchy-feely sentiment."

–Daniel Pink, Motivated to Learn (2014)

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse