Imagine Learning

So Charlie has had this project in mind for a long time and for the last past weeks we have been pioneering "Imagine Learning" in our Research class. This highly ambitious project aims to find ways to reinvent redesign high school education.

The best thing about this project is the method of approach that we are using, the so called APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY.
Appreciate Inquiry focuses on the positive, working with what is already given, identifying strenghs and building around it.
(more about this in future posts*)

Our research groups have consisted on "sharing and dreaming sessions" with Bay Area High School students. It was truly fascinating to find out how much these kids have to say. These sessions last around 3-4 hours and consist on three parts. First they answer personal outlook questions (that will later share with the group), secondly, they come up with a group outlook on the current educational system and lastly, the dreaming part, where in groups, they literally "paint" their "high school dream" in a big piece of canvas.

Here are some pictures from the Marin High School of the Arts session in Novato High School:

... And I can't wait to start putting together the documentary!!!! ^_^

on research

There is not such thing as "the perfect spaghetti sauce". There are, however, perfect spaghetti SAUCES. Beacuse every person is unique and everyone likes his or her spaghetti sauce in a certain way. That is essentially the charm of life and the pursuit of happiness, the search for a spaghetti sauce that is perfect for each of us.



Malcom Gladwell at Ted.

This guy is amazing! Great communicator, great insights on marketing and on life. Love it!!!!! Note to self: MUST MUST read his books.

on focus groups

So basic, yet so easy to forget. People don't know "why". And they might feel like you are questioning their answer, thus them. Instead of "why" ask them to tell "the story behind it" .

A very important lesson brought by Denzil, a freelance account planner, that showed us his magical and whismical focus group skills... amazing! I especially enjoyed the trick to shut annoying people up... sleeeeeeeek :o)