What are examples of how “what if learners” learn?

These are examples of how “what if learners” learn:

Research and critical thinking
“What if learners” like to do independent research on topics they are curious about. And they like to analyze what they learn. They examine information, evaluate evidence, and consider alternative perspectives. They learn by challenging assumptions, asking questions, and analyzing the underlying logic behind different arguments or theories.

Role-playing is a popular method for “what if learners” to learn and understand different perspectives. They can take on the role of a historical figure, a character in a story, or a professional in a specific field. By immersing themselves in these roles, learners can explore alternative viewpoints, develop empathy, and gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Creative thinking
“What if learners” like to work on finding solutions to open-ended questions and challenges that do not have a single right answer. They are motivated by the opportunity to explore multiple possibilities. Using their curiosity and imagination, they may ask questions like “What if this event had turned out differently?” or “What if this decision had been made instead?” By considering alternative possibilities, they can gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter and its implications.

“What if learners” like to also experiment with different approaches. For example, physicists often use thought experiments to understand complex concepts in quantum mechanics or relativity. “What if learners” thrive in environments where they have the freedom to pursue their interests. They enjoy exploring new ideas on their own. This can include brainstorming new concepts, imagining hypothetical scenarios, and exploring imaginative possibilities. Creative projects and activities that encourage them to think outside the box can be particularly effective for their preferred ways of learning.

Sharing ideas with other people
“What if learners” often express their ideas and insights through writing, storytelling and/or art. They like to have dialogues with other people – in particular with people who have different perspectives and ideas. Communicating with other people as well as doing collaborative projects provide opportunities for them to explore alternative viewpoints, challenge their assumptions, and refine their thinking.

Practical applications
“What if learners” thrive when they can see the practical applications of what they are learning. They appreciate opportunities to apply theoretical concepts to real-world situations, for example through project-based learning experiences. This hands-on approach allows them to test their hypotheses and see the tangible results of their efforts.

Sources of inspiration
chat.openai.com
you.com

What are examples of how “common sense learners” learn?

These are examples of how common sense learners / “how learners” learn:

Seeking usefulness and results
Common sense learners / “how learners” are motivated by practicality and results. They are interested in learning things that have immediate usefulness and can be applied to real-life situations. They are more likely to engage with learning materials that have a clear purpose and tangible outcomes.

Trying things out themselves
Common sense learners like to engage in activities that involve building, creating, and fixing things in a hands-on way. They learn best when they can actively engage with materials or tools, apply their knowledge in a practical context and see the direct impact of their actions. They value practical application and are more likely to remember information when they can see its relevance in action. When making mistakes as they try things out, they use their experiences to improve their understanding.

Common sense learners / “how learners” are curious about what experts think. However, it is important for common sense learners to try things out themselves and see if they work in practice rather than relying solely on theoretical knowledge. They want to test their understanding of concepts, ideas and theories. Therefore, they try things out themselves to see if those concepts / ideas / theories align with their own observations and experiences.

Observing
Common sense learners often learn by observing others and paying attention to how things are done. They may learn new skills simply by watching someone else perform them, for example via YouTube.

Feedback and reflection
Common sense learners / “how learners” value feedback from their experiences. Whether it’s from their own trial and error or from others who have observed their actions, feedback helps them refine their approach and improve their skills. Common sense learners learn by reflecting on their own experiences as well as the feedback they receive and and draw conclusions from them. They analyze the situations they encounter and try to understand the underlying principles or mechanisms at play.

Sources of inspiration
chat.openai.com
you.com

What are examples of how “analytical learners” learn?

Analytical learners / “what learners” seek intellectual competence. They want to add to the world’s knowledge. These are examples of how analytical learners learn:

Structured, well organized way learning
Analytical learners / “what learners” prefer to stay well organized in their learning process. They thrive in an environment that is orderly and quiet. Analytical learners prefer to study alone for long periods without interruption. Analytical learners often prefer structured learning environments where concepts are presented logically and sequentially. They may thrive in settings where they can follow a step-by-step approach to mastering new material – focusing on understanding a series of facts that lead to a larger concept.

Research and data analysis
Analytical learners like to do research to deepen their understanding of a topic. They may spend time gathering information from various sources, critically evaluate the credibility of sources, and synthesize information, as they make conclusions. Analytical learners are adept at working with data. They may enjoy tasks such as collecting, organizing, and analyzing data to identify patterns, trends, and relationships.

Deconstruction and understanding
Analytical learners want to understand underlying concepts and principles. They depend on logic and analytical skills to understand a particular subject. They approach learning by breaking down information in a linear, step-by-step way. They are good at breaking down complex concepts into smaller, more manageable parts. They may dissect a problem or a piece of information to understand its underlying structure. Analytical learners may spend time connecting new information to existing knowledge frameworks to build a deeper understanding.

Critical thinking and reflection
Analytical learners engage in critical thinking to evaluate information and arguments. They often question assumptions, seek evidence, and evaluate the validity of conclusions. Analytical learners benefit from reflection and introspection. They may take time to analyze their own thought processes, learning strategies, and problem-solving approaches to identify areas for improvement.

Problem solving
Analytical learners approach problem-solving tasks methodically. They may use logical reasoning and systematic approaches to analyze the problem, identify possible solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness. Analytical learners may enjoy experimenting with different approaches to learning and problem-solving. They may try out different strategies, analyze the results, and adjust their approach based on feedback.

Sources:
chat.openai.com
you.com

WEF open forum about finding innovation solutions to air pollution

Listening to the WEF open forum dialogue Take a deep breath with technology I learned that 99% of the world’s population breathes air that is harmful to their health. These are examples of innovative solutions suggested during the session:

Solutions suggested by Temuulen Enkhbat:
– Include as many people as possible in communities to strengthen the development of innovative solutions. Being invited to participate is important.
– Use more clean energy solutions such as solar energy – and less coal and oil.
– Remain hopeful and take action.
– Instead of using the word climate change, use words that local people can better relate to. A young participant from Pakistan, who studies at Oxford University mentioned that for people in some places in Pakistan air quality is about survival. It is a must have.

Solutions suggested by Peter BenHur Nyeko:
– Use whatever is in the communities. Example: Use waste in innovative ways to create electricity and heating in houses.
– Believe that solutions and innovations are there and allow them to flourish.
– Give out free sustainable cooking solutions so they can switch from firewood.

Solutions suggested by Benjamin Von Wong:
– Use visualizations to make an issue more interesting for people – thereby helping strengthen motivation for people to participate in finding solutions. He asked the question: “What does a beautiful future look like?”
– We need more entrepreneurs that help solve and are paid for solving social problems and environmental problems.
– Benjamin mention Biochar which turns agricultural waste into a resource that not only combats climate change but also heals the soil.

Solutions suggested by Jane Burston:
– Hand held air quality monitors, which are given to citizen scientists, can help people like you and me measure air quality. When people share measurements and photos of what they measure, for example via social media, it can help strengthen air quality innovation.
– Make cycling easier for people.
– Translate large research reports to concrete, locally relevant problems that people can take action on.

Solutions suggested by Ma Jun:
Create more data transparency.
– For example, in China, digital air pollution maps are created that help people to easily find out which places are polluted. The transparent digital pollution maps, which include pollution generated by millions of companies, help people take action, for example by sharing data via social media and taking further action to make sure that pollution is reduced. The digital pollution maps as well as work that people do help people in government provide support that create additional sustainable change.
– Mr. Jun also mentioned the Canadian data transparency solution Air Quality Health Index.

What are the most important contributions of Lord Shang?

Lord Shang, who lived between 390 and 338 BCE, asked, for example, this question: How do we build effective states? These are his most important contributions:

Make laws that create order
Lord Shang was one of the early proponents of Legalism, a philosophical and political ideology that emphasized strict laws, centralized power, and harsh punishments to maintain order and control within a state. Legalism prioritized the strength of the state above all else, advocating for clear and strict laws to govern society. Lord Shang wanted to create laws and institutions that would govern everything. Those laws should be so rigorous and absolute that no-one would dare to break them. Following up on this, Lord Shang proposed create a system of punishments, which were so horrific for a person and her / his immediate family, that no-one dared to break the laws. Over time, that would mean that everybody would follow everything that the State would tell people to do.

Centralize power
Lord Shang advocated for centralization of power in the hands of the ruler. A bureaucracy needed to be created, according to Lord Shang, to oversee laws that were created. The state should take control of all resources within its power. Ideally, that power would, according to Lord Shang, be as unlimited as possible. Lord Shang emphasized the importance of a powerful ruler who had absolute authority and control over people. He believed that strong, authoritarian rule was essential for maintaining stability and unity within a state. In addition, Lord Shang believed in the importance of promoting people in the bureaucracy for doing what they were told. Over time, that meant that the State bureaucracy would consist entirely of people, who were very good at following orders and commanding those orders to people at the next level down in the bureaucracy. Lord Shang’s vision was that such a system would result in a perfectly well-organized society and consequently lead to a perfectly functioning world.

Pay people for their performance
Lord Shang implemented significant reforms in the state of Qin, where he served as a chief minister. Lord Shang introduced a merit-based system for appointments and promotions, rewarding officials based on performance rather than lineage or background. He also restructured the administrative divisions of the state and imposed strict laws and regulations to ensure social order and productivity.

Increase productivity in agriculture
Lord Shang implemented economic policies aimed at increasing agricultural productivity. He encouraged land cultivation, promoted the idea of self-sufficiency in agriculture, and introduced measures to boost the state’s economic resources. A key goal for Lord Shang of increasing the state’s economic resources was to support military endeavors.

Sources
britannica.com
chat.openai.com
edx.org

Leading innovation – Applying proven processes

Studying the innovation learning initiative entitled Leading innovation – Applying proven processes, these are questions I found useful:

1. Questions to understand needs:
1.1. What do users / potential users want to do?
1.2. What do users / potential users have difficulty doing?

2. Questions to analyze and define a problem to solve:
2.1. What is the most important problem to solve?
2.2. What do we do to turn the problem into an opportunity?
2.3. Ask why several times. Example: In a recession, Hyundai asked the question “Why are sales down?” As they kept asking why, they found out that the real reason why people were not buying cars was that they were afraid of losing their jobs. By understanding the problem in more depth, they were able to come up with better solutions.

3. Questions about idea development:
3.1. To what extent have you defined a specific challenge / goal? Examples: A. How do we surprise users positively? B. How can we create better results using fewer resources?
3.2. Using which digital platforms do people communicate ideas they have? What contests are initiated on which platforms?
3.3. How many ideas are generated per month? The more ideas, the better. Quantity leads to quality.
3.4. How concrete are ideas?
3.5. How diverse are ideas?
3.6. How disruptive are ideas?
3.7. What ideas are taken from other fields / industries? Example: Jørn Utzon was inspired by sails, as he developed the Sydney opera house.
3.8. How different are the people who develop ideas, for example regarding age, gender, and competencies?
3.9. What percentage of generated ideas are created by external people?
3.10. How do we reduce / eliminate negative feedback that people may put forward against ideas?
3.11. Technology enabled brainstorm method for 6 people about a specific challenge: 1. Each person sends 4 ideas by e-mail to the facilitator. 2. The facilitator sends to each person 4 ideas from 4 different people. 3 Each person selects their favorite 2 ideas from the 4 ideas they received. 4. People meet on zoom in groups of 3 to improve the 6 favorite ideas and select the two best ideas. 5. All 6 people and facilitator meet on zoom. Each of the 3 person groups presents to everyone the best 2 ideas. Everyone votes to select the best idea.

4. Questions about selecting good ideas:
4.1. What criteria do we set to select good ideas? Examples: 1. New ideas. 2. Product ideas / service ideas that are attractive for users / potential users, for example by being better, simpler and/or cheaper. 3. Product ideas / service ideas that result in simpler operations and lower costs.
4.2. How many votes do people have to vote for the best ideas?
4.3. How do we have useful dialogues to make good ideas even better?

5. Questions about developing / building a minimum viable product:
5.1. What technologies can we use to develop a minimum viable product? A video about a new product or service could be a minimum viable product.
5.2. How many minimum viable products or services were developed last year?

6. Questions to ask about testing ideas:
6.1. What percentage of ideas are tried out / tested?
6.2. What number of ideas per employee are tried out / tested?
6.3. How many idea evaluators are selected to give feedback to ideas? How quickly must they give feedback?
6.4. What do you do to help users / potential users try new product ideas / service ideas? Examples: 1. Invite people who like new things. 2. Offer a free trial.
6.5. How much feedback do you get to ideas that are tried out / tested? Use analytics software and detailed interviews with a few users to understand what people like and do not like. Record feedback using audio and/or video.
6.6. What percentage of revenues comes from products or services launched in the last 2 years?

7. Questions about criteria to decide if an innovation initiative should continue or be stopped:
7.1. On a scale from 0 to 100, to what extent do users / potential users like it?
7.2. On a scale from 0 to 100, to what extent do users / potential users really need it?
7.3. On a scale from 0 to 100, to what extent can you build what users / potential users really need?
7.4. On a scale from 0 to 100, to what extent can you earn money doing this?
7.5. On a scale from 0 to 100, to what extent does what you want to build differentiate from other products / services / apps that exist?

8. Question about the degree of freedom people have:
How much freedom do people have to do innovation work?

9. Questions to ask about communication:
9.1. How is communication done by whom when people make mistakes?
9.2. What happens when people challenge other people and/or authority?
9.3. How effective is the leader, who sponsors innovation work, to help innovation work move forward and succeed?

10. Questions to ask about payment:
10.1. How much money do people, who do different kinds of innovation work, get paid per month?
10.2. What rewards / bonus / recognition do people, who have developed the most ideas and developed the best ideas, receive for work they have done?

Concrete initiatives that enable children to have joyful learning journeys?

8 concrete initiatives that enable children to have more joyful learning journeys:

# 1: Focus on needs children have
Children are more likely to be engaged and motivated to learn when the material is relevant to their interests. This means incorporating topics that they are curious about into the curriculum, and giving them opportunities to explore their passions. Personalized learning experiences can involve providing differentiated instruction, offering choices, and incorporating student-centered approaches that empower children to take ownership of their learning.

# 2: Play-based learning
Include learning games in the curriculum that children can play individually as well as in groups of different sizes. Learning games can strengthen, for example, creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

# 3: Hands-on learning opportunities
Children learn best by doing, i.e. being actively engaged in the learning process. Therefore, they need concrete opportunities that make it easy for them to try technology and other things out as well as create things.

# 4: Interactive lessons
Make lessons highly interactive so children continuously do things with each other, with teachers, with parents, and/or with other caregivers.

# 5: Fun learning apps
Use fun learning apps – including interactives website that strengthen engagement and foster digital literacy.

# 6: Learning outdoors
Example: Take a walk with children and bring some great questions along that children can ask each other.

# 7: Promote reading
Cultivating a love of reading in children can significantly enhance their learning journeys. Initiatives such as organizing read-a-thons, book clubs, access to a wide variety of books, as well as reading-friendly environments can foster a lifelong love of reading and improve literacy skills.

# 8: Celebrate
When children feel successful, they are more likely to be motivated to learn. Therefore, celebrate in a variety of ways.

Sources
bard.google.com
chat.openai.com
you.com

What happens when parents have the freedom to choose learning environments that best fit their children’s needs, learning strategies and interests?

Studying the most important contributions of of economist Milton Friedman, I learned, for example, about a suggestion he made that parents receive vouchers and have the freedom to choose the educational environments that best fit their children’s needs, learning strategies and interests. Why is that important?

When parents have the freedom to choose the learning environments that best fit their children’s needs, learning strategies and interests, educators will innovate more. That will lead to more effective education, a rise in educational standards and stronger economies. Also, when parents have the ability to choose the learning environments of their children, parents and children are more likely to be satisfied. Why? The satisfaction of parents can positively impact student motivation, engagement, and overall academic performance.

Educational environments can include a variety of learning ecosystems – including public schools, private schools, Montessori learning approaches, digital learning platforms, learning via social media and apps, outdoor based learning, internships, apprenticeships, learning on the job with mentors, workshops, webinars, tutoring, coaching, homeschooling, reading at libraries, learning at museums, learning through play, learning using AI and more.

Vouchers are specific mechanisms used to empower parents to choose. A voucher is a government-funded certificate that parents can use to pay for part or all of their child’s tuition. The voucher’s value is typically tied to the amount of funding that the public school system would have spent on the student’s education. Vouchers make education more accessible to a wider range of families – including for those who might not have been able to afford it otherwise. Thereby, vouchers can increase diversity, as students from different backgrounds are able to learn together. This can help to promote understanding and tolerance among students.

Sources
bard.google.com
chat.openai.com
you.com

What are the most important principles in Semco style?

Ten of the most important principles in Semco style:

1. Employee Empowerment: Semco believes in empowering employees by trusting them to make decisions and take ownership of their work. This principle encourages a sense of responsibility and accountability among employees.
2. Participative decision-making: Decisions at Semco are made collectively, involving employees at all levels of the organization. This inclusive approach ensures that decisions are well-informed and represent the perspectives of different stakeholders.
3. Flexibility and adaptability: Semco emphasizes flexibility and adaptability to respond to changing market conditions and business challenges. The company encourages innovation and the willingness to experiment with new ideas.
4. Work-Life balance: Semco recognizes the importance of work-life balance and allows employees to have control over their schedules, creating an environment where people can thrive both personally and professionally.
5. Transparency: Open and transparent communication is essential in Semco’s culture. Information about the company’s performance, financials, and decision-making processes is shared with employees, promoting trust and alignment.
6. Trust and respect: Trust and respect form the foundation of Semco’s relationships. The company places a high value on treating employees, customers, and partners with respect and fostering a culture of mutual trust.
7. Profit-sharing: Semco believes in sharing the company’s success with its employees. Through profit-sharing programs, employees have a stake in the company’s performance and are motivated to contribute to its success.
8. Reduced hierarchy: Semco aims to reduce traditional hierarchical structures, fostering a more egalitarian and collaborative environment.
9. Focus on employee well-being: The well-being and satisfaction of employees are prioritized at Semco. This includes providing a supportive work environment, opportunities for growth, and promoting a healthy work-life balance.
10. Continuous learning: Semco encourages a culture of continuous learning and personal development, supporting employees in enhancing their skills and knowledge.

It’s worth noting that the Semco style is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and its implementation may vary depending on the specific context and industry. However, these principles offer valuable insights into creating a more democratic, participatory, and engaging workplace culture.

Source.

Event about agile coaching

Preparing for an agile coaching meetup, I had a conversation with ChatGPT about what an agile coach does. This is what I learned.

At the event I found the 10 minute breakout session right at the start useful. From the conversation with Stephane, I recall, for example, that we both found it helpful to test ideas / hypotheses, learn from experiences and improve things.

I heard more people mention that there are different definitions of agile. People understand agile differently. Asking ChatGPT what agile is, this is the definition that the generative AI system provided: “Agile is an iterative and collaborative approach to project management and software development that emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, and customer satisfaction.” Source.

Later on in the workshop I heard Stuart mention that in his experience, it is important to listen to needs people have and work on satisfying those needs. I understood that that is one of the ways through which Stuart helps create value.

To the question how success is measured I heard Emma say that each team decides. Every person, who is part of a team, expresses what success means to him or her, and based on findings, people work on finding relevant metrics to measure success.

Various technologies helped workshop participants share questions, experiences and/or ideas with each other. In zoom, contributors used, for example, 1) the raise hand function, 2) the live chat functionality, and 3) wrote notes that they placed on a digital board.

The workshop was competently moderated by Philip.