To observe transformational capability, we cannot observe normal people doing normal things. We must observe people who are living by principle. To develop transformational capability, we cannot be normal people doing normal things. We must stand outside the norm. To do that we need to go inside ourselves and ask who we are, what we stand for, and what impact we really want to have. There we find the capacity not only to withstand the pressures of the external system, but also actually to transform the external system.
Source: Quinn in Changing the World, Page 19

So, to live by principle means that we must:

1) Reflect and ask who we are

2) Determine what we stand for.

3) Assess what impact we really want to have.

It is this last that is troublesome. Do we really–and this may offend some–want to raise test scores using these methods (test-prep)? Do we really want our schools to be exemplary according to the standard set by legislators? Or, perhaps, do we want to accomplish a completely different task, a different goal and HOPE that test scores will go up as a result? Consider that some–like Mark Ahlness–are saying not to blame teachers for holding back on adopting these technologies, and instead, passing the buck to administrators. But, then you read statements like this one…we can’t make sweeping generalizations of teachers or administrators. The truth is more complex.

At times, teachers are so afraid they don’t allow students to contribute their own knowledge as they learn. I’m issuing a very provocative call in my next two speaking engagements in May to have students directly contribute to the spectroscopy wiki, and to do it in a manner that simulates peer-reviewed publishing in journals.
Source: Using Wikis in Education

Administrators are passing the buck to teachers or legislators…as people are playing the blame game, it becomes even more important for each of us to live by principle. Looking forward to your statements of principle….

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Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin’s blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure