Transform

A major change in form and function

Transformation vs Improvement

Transformation implies a major change in form and function, similar to metamorphosis. It is all about pulling the vision for a preferred future into the current reality. Improvement, on the other hand, does not require a vision of a new system. It simply uses data from the past to improve the current system.

Transformation requires a compelling vision of the future and a process by which that future can be created. No amount of improvement would have transformed a horse and buggy into an automobile. The automobile represents an entirely new mode of transportation that was envisioned and created by Imaginal leaders like Karl Benz and Henry Ford, thereby transforming the transportation industry. Similarly, the butterfly could not exist in all it’s beauty and wonder if it were a mere caterpillar with a few improvements.

Process of Transformation

Caterpillar
The currents state of education is like a caterpillar; it is slow moving and constantly consuming.
Chrysalis
The process for transformation is like metamorphosis; it happens incrementally over time where the old is replaced by the new.
Butterfly
Our vision for the future of education is like a butterfly; it unleashes the learning potential of young people enabling them to soar into their future.

Education does not need improvement

Attempts to reform education through improvement initiatives have been a colossal failure around the world. Why? Because if the system is broken, then it simply needs fixing using Improvement methodologies. But, if the system is obsolete, no amount of improvement will produce the results that are needed. 

We do not need a more efficient obsolete system. Improvement relies on data from the past, whereas system transformation requires a vision of the future.

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Education needs transformation

Transformation implies a major change in form and function, similar to metamorphosis. It is all about pulling the vision for a preferred future into the current reality. There can be no transformation without a compelling vision of the future and a process by which that future can be created. Implementing student ownership, making mastery possible for all students, eliminating fear, and developing Future Ready skills in students will result in transformation. Creating a system based on these processes (and more) will transform the current system of education.

Moving Beyond Obsolescence

The traditional system of education was created to serve the industrial age in the 1900's, but our world has dramatically changed since then. We need a new system of education to better prepare students for the world of tomorrow, creating obsolescence to the existing factory model of education.

“For years I have argued that the system of education is not adequately preparing students for the world of tomorrow, and therefore is obsolete. However, this argument was merely theoretical, for it wasn’t that the system of education was actually obsolete, I just saw a need for something better or more useful. Only when something more useful is created and made widely available do we have real obsolescence. Simply calling something obsolete does not make it so.”
Tom Rudmik
Becoming Imaginal, Seeing and
Creating the Future of Education

Imaginal Leaders
Create Obsolescence

Imaginal leaders like Karl Benz began with a prototype (the Benz Velo). But one Benz Velo would not cause the horse and buggy to be obsolete. It was not until Henry Ford was able to scale the concept in an affordable way that the horse and buggy were rendered obsolete and transportation was forever transformed.

Scaling a Model Creates Obsolescence

Having a prototype school of the future is interesting, but one school doesn’t create obsolescence. However, if that prototype model of education can be scaled to the masses affordably, then creating obsolescence is possible.

Creating Obsolescence in Education

We are creating obsolescence of the current Industrial Age model of education with our prototype school and our Imaginal Ecosystem.

System Thinking

System thinking is the ability to see how a system works and where the leverage points are. It is a core competency of Imaginal leaders.

Overview on System Thinking

Learn more about how system thinking
can affect your organization.

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Structure Always Wins

A basic axiom in system thinking is that ‘structure always wins'. Trying to change the thinking of teachers and students will not produce the desired changes unless it is accompanied with systemic structural changes.

The system structures generate the behaviours of the system. Therefore, real transformation requires the old system structures to be replaced with new ones, which will support the behaviour envisioned for the future system.

How do we transform an existing system?



How does one turn the ‘caterpillar’ (current reality) into the “‘future butterfly’? The process begins by creating the backbone of the ‘future butterfly’, which is the learning bank. Then the future model of education can be developed on that backbone structure. At Imaginal Education, a technology ‘backbone’ called the Geenius Learning Transformation System (LTS) has been developed that will enable a school or a district to begin incrementally developing the ‘future butterfly’. Over time this technology ‘backbone’ will cause the emergence of Profound Learning. In essence, by implementing new thinking, new practices and new system structures that will generate the new desired behaviors, any school or district in the world can transform their existing system.

System Transformation

We transform education by pulling structures from the future system into the now and, over time, completely replacing the existing system

Culture of ownership
Establishing a culture of ownership and student empowerment is foundational to Profound Learning and is achieved by shifting the roles of students and teachers.
New system structure
The Imaginal Ecosystem contains powerful new system structures, which support and generate the new teacher and student behaviors. For example, new structures for self-assessment enable students to identify and close gaps in their learning.
Brain-based learning
Teachers as designers are able to create powerful brain-based learning experiences using the Geenius platform.

Learning Bank Development Roadmap

The Learning Bank development is a seven step process, download the PDF for more information.

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Strategy for National Transformation

Transforming a national system of education requires the development of prototype schools and the digital assets needed for large scale multiplication

Exponential Growth Strategy

Shadow vs Dominant System

The dominant system in most countries is comprised of schools that are accredited by the government, namely public and private schools. These schools usually operate government sanctioned curriculum and have the same pedagogical framework that drives the traditional model of education. IE’s transformation strategy, at the national or state level, is to create a shadow-system comprised of early adopter schools. These schools, operating outside the dominant system, will become prototypes of the future and once proven, will challenge the dominant system. Large scale system transformation is now possible using IE's digital platform.

Growth Strategies

1. Prototype Schools

Launching Profound Learning in a region or country starts with a few early adopter schools. Although Profound Learning has proven to be successful in Canada and elsewhere, it is critical to have a successful prototype within the target country.

2. Developing Digital Assets
Learning Bank

Translating the national curriculum into our Learning Bank form is needed for student self-assessment as well as ensuring national standards are being met.

Learning Adventure "Apps'

Early Adopter schools develop an inventory of high impact, brain-based digital learning experiences that align with the required curriculum. These learning experiences are analogous to digital 'apps'.

3. Multiplication
Learning Adventure Exchange or 'App Store'

The Learning Adventure Exchange is the platform by which learning 'apps' can be distributed throughout a region, country or continent. This exchange can either be monetized by business partners or democratized by government licensing.