a triarchy press publication
'Transformative Innovation in Education: a playbook for pragmatic visionaries'
(Second Edition) by Graham Leicester, Keir Bloomer, Denis Stewart and Jim Ewing
Publication Date: 17 April 2013
No. of Pages: 66
Book type: Paperback
Print ISBN: 9781909470101
Price: £10.00
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In 2009, the first edition of Transformative Innovation set out a blueprint for educational reform in Scotland. This second edition incorporates the results and practical experience of introducing and managing that reform. The book’s message has resonated with readers around the world: given the right kind of guidance and support, our institutions of education are perfectly capable of instigating the kinds of radical changes they need to make in order to prepare our young people for an uncertain future. The authors can say this with some confidence because the insights, tools, suggestions and recommendations in the pages of Transformative Innovation in Education are rooted firmly in practical experience.
In partnership with the Scottish inspectorate of schools, IFF worked with a wide variety of educationalists, practitioners, policy makers and others to explore how transformational change might be achieved. As a result, IFF developed significant new resources to support transformative innovation in a highly decentralised, bottom-up, system-wide approach. Powerful frameworks for moving from insight to action developed by Jim Ewing are described in a substantial new addition to the original text on 'practical approaches to transformation'. The permissive policy framework set in Scotland by Curriculum for Excellence, which invites transformational change in the education system, has now attracted positive attention in different parts of the world - particularly the US, Asia and Australia.
The 'three horizons' framework on which the book and the reform programme is based allows everyone free rein to share their concerns about the present system, to admit deeper aspirations that might be frustrated or under-realised today, and to design a 'second horizon' transition strategy to shift the system in that direction. This is not 'blue skies visioning' but hard-headed engagement with often uncomfortable facts about changes in the real world. But it also allows space for inspiration.
For some readers, the question may remain: How can government and other agencies best support a permissive programme of radical innovation in education? How can schools themselves take the lead? This book explains how. It tells a story in six sections:
- a widespread international story of disappointment in educational reform
- the three horizons framework for thinking about longer-term transformational change
- the limitations of international models of 'standards-based reform'
- developing a transformative framework in Scotland
- an outline of the tools and processes that are shifting the Scottish system into the future
- recommendations for a policy framework to encourage transformative innovation in education: 'making shift happen'.
About the Authors
GRAHAM Leicester is Director of International Futures Forum. He is a former member of HM Diplomatic Service and has subsequently developed a special interest and wide experience in areas of governance, innovation, education and the arts. He is the author, with Maureen O'Hara, of Dancing at the Edge: Competence, Culture and Organization in the 21st Century.
KEIR Bloomer has been a Director of Education and Chief Executive of a local authority. He is now an educational consultant, chair of the Court of Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and chair of the Tapestry Partnership.
DENIS Stewart is a former research chemist in UK universities and a science teacher in Northern Ireland. He has worked in executive leadership positions in national educational development agencies in Wales and Scotland and latterly as co-Director of an educational consultancy, CELT Associates. Now in his 'post-professional' phase of life, he divides much of his time between personal study, travel and various voluntary commitments.
JIM Ewing has worked in industry for over thirty years articulating design, learning, and transformation as one whole rather than three separate endeavours. His current suite of practices arose from guiding individuals and their tribes through intense, inner and outer driven change, as they reinvented themselves and their work. Jim's early career as a systems engineer and rocket scientist left the marks of efficiency. His practices assist the upside by materially reducing the downside of wasted angst, time and resources as people confront, resist and get to grips with the change of their minds, their choices and their stories. Jim has consulted in scores of large corporations and taught his methods widely. His Tallpine Community of learners, practitioners and professionals is a portal to his artful guidance for transformative living, innovation and leadership.
About International Futures Forum
International Futures Forum (IFF) is a non-profit organisation established to support a transformative response to complex and confounding challenges and to restore the capacity for effective action in today's powerful times.
At the heart of IFF is a deeply informed inter-disciplinary and international network of individuals from a range of backgrounds covering a wide range of diverse perspectives, countries and disciplines. The group meets as a learning community as often as possible, including in plenary session. And it seeks to apply its learning in practice. IFF takes on complex, messy, seemingly intractable issues - notably in the arenas of health, learning, governance and enterprise - where paradox, ambiguity and complexity characterise the landscape, where rapid change means yesterday's solution no longer works, where long term needs require a long term logic and where only genuine innovation has any chance of success.
Reviews
Head to Head Magazine - Dec 09
From the Association of Heads and Deputes Scotland (AHDS)
Review of: Transformative Innovation in Education - a playbook for pragmatic visionaries by Graham Leicester, Keir Bloomer and Dennis Stewart Pub: Triarchy Press Ltd
"Recommendation: Take a little time to read it. It's really very important. This small perfectly formed book with its heavy duty, and intriguing title, is a must for anyone who would appreciate a model in which to develop understandings for the future of education. The writers take you through a six point plan for pragmatic visionaries and provide 5 sections of argument for transformational change in education.
You'll recognise the sayings of Fischbowl in such quotes as. "We are currently preparing students for jobs that don't yet exist using technologies that have not been invented... "and you already know that there are powerful systems at play which tie us into measurement and comparison when we should be reaching for the sky. However, at this time, when we need to develop ideas then the 3 Horizons model is a fascinating beginning for all. It provides a structure in which to explore the future of education and offers, "...short term encouragement and long term effectiveness..." which prevents disappointment and a lack of focus on long term goals..
Horizon 1 is where we are now, managing and maintaining the system, improving performance and maximising its potential.
Horizon 2 is entrepreneurial and sees and grasps opportunity.
Horizon 3 is visionary and aspirational and is about standing for something you know is right whatever the world thinks of you.
The Horizons are represented graphically and the writers explore how the model may be used to develop well thought out and reasonable ideas for the pathway ahead.
Not only is this model explained well but a kit has been produced to enable you to have a structured conversation around the 3 horizons framework.
And then there's the IFF an impressive organisation, and the ostrich and the eagle, and discomfort and dilemmas. But fear not, you'll be inspired, and the ideas in this book line up oh so beautifully with Curriculum for Excellence."
Comments from the Association of Headteachers & Deputes in Scotland (www.ahds.org.uk)
"I loved the book, thought it was well written and I totally agreed with all that was in it. If people could/would take time to read the argument for a Curriculum for Excellence as a transformative innovation then all would be well!"
"...the book is pretty fantastic and should be compulsory reading for anyone who wishes to know about the why of the Curriculum for Excellence. First time I've heard of the IFF (International Futures Forum) and it's really interesting stuff - and the info in the book is also useful - there are web connections for follow up. I've sent for the 3 horizons Kit and will be looking at Fischbowl etc.... Perhaps this booklet will now share what should have been shared a long time ago. Teachers are more likely to take things on board if you show them the theory / reasons / vision."
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