Secret+Two---Connect+Peers+With+Purpose

Do you think he will mention Web 2.0 in connecting peers?

He doesn't....and the summary work in progress..... Current conditions in technology and our globally shrinking world allow more people to interact and share ideas for the better of all. Connecting peers with a purpose doesn't mean getting people of similar values or goals together, it means creating three conditions which will lead to the best for an organization and all of the stake holders. Fullan points out, "Purposeful peer interaction, or perhaps I should say //positive// purposeful peer interaction, works effectively under three conditions: (1) when the larger values of the organization and those of individuals and groups mesh; (2) when information and knowledge about effective practices are widely and openly shared; and (3) when monitoring mechanisms are in place to detect and address ineffective actions while also identifying and consolidating effective practices." (p.45) To get the most out of these interactions people understand two types of competition. There is the bad which has I win and you lose mentality and the good which has the how can we both get better, but I want to improve as much as I can. This concept brings Fullan to his idea of the We-We solution which include the above higher purpose or cause, knowledge for all, and identifying with the one entity larger than oneself. This is an idea which companies can realize the future and help encourage each other at different levels creating self-accountability for longer sustained growth which is better than the short term quick win coming from the hierarchy approach.

Applying this to schools is simple. Having time for teachers to collaborate, share their best practices, and interact regarding their practice will have long term beneficial effects. This can happen at a school, district, and state level depending on the various sizes of staff. The most challenging portion for schools is the third step of having monitoring mechanisms in place to detect what worked and what didn't. Many forms reflecting on a conference are written, how many are reflected on and shared with the community at large. This will tie in with a later secret, however holds importance for all librarians. Librarians experience more interaction and collaboration than others in the school, but are they constantly reflecting with the collaborators and putting forth the knowledge to all? How often are librarians collaborating at the various levels? When viewing the teacher librarian profession of the future, AASL's Empowering Learners views instructional partner as the number one role. Fullan's ideas regarding positive purposeful peer interaction can guide a teacher librarian on how to create the best win-win situation for all stakeholders.

He does mention collaborating globally on page 42. Fullan talks about how people can work together and share knowledge without even being in the same place anymore or even speak the same language. Just like this group. Where are you at this week, Chris? **I am in Croatia :)** Nice Point! I agree with Fullan that "current conditions are more conducive to peer or lateral interaction" (p. 42). That's why it's key to continue working on infusing 21st century skills into all lessons we teach today for students going to work in our future.

MELISSA: I think one of his quotes on page 45, connects nicely with the idea of how the web 2.0 might function in a school setting. He states, "Purposeful peer interaction, or perhaps I should say //positive// purposeful peer interaction, works effectively under three conditions: (1) when the larger values of the organization and those of individuals and groups mesh; (2) when information and knowledge about effective practices are widely and openly shared; and (3) when monitoring mechanisms are in place to detect and address ineffective actions while also identifying and consolidating effective practices."

I see this applying to my school in that individual departments could begin creating wikispaces to foster collaboration, the teacher librarian could monitor or develop rules for the appropriate or productive use of those spaces, and all stakeholders will need to contiuously reflect on how web 2.0 technologies can enhace student achievement.

liked the turtle story and Wilson's groups all the way down comment connecting to cohesion. sports teams and organizations that are good seem to do this...(p.43) (48) the competition for failure is where someone always loses...impressive thoughts when applying competitions like battle of the books. (p 49) three traits higher purpose, knowledge, and identifying...tied above to M's first paragraph. to lead to the top of page 50....we we and networking or to be apart of an outside organization involved with CASL or AASL (50) second paragraph I think could be the life of this chapter.... a relevant and touching example is top of 51 with the high pro person and the feelings towards helping someone...more teachers that care, neighbors, and families avoid hurt feelings....If you have seen the reverse these things become important above lots of the rest.

NATALIE: I love the analysis of the hens and how the most productive hens achieved success—sad but true. Although Fullan recognizes that people feel and think, I do think sometimes we live in a cut-throat society that will do anything to move ahead (44). “Purposeful peer interaction”: 1. values, individuals, groups mesh, 2. communication 3. reflect and have a means to address ineffective actions. Great point made here: (46): engage peers in purposeful interaction where quality experiences and results are central to work Question: How are professional learning communities used and accessed in your school building? How do librarians access purposeful peer interaction with a department often made up of only one or two people? Our class works as a PLC—if you look at the requirements for purposeful peer interaction, this class fits that. I am excited that my district really values librarians working together. We get together once a month to collaborate, share issues, and learn from one another. We’ve also set some common goals that involve bringing all schools up to equal levels, even if the resources can’t be there. I agree that groups are always better at addressing challenging task than individuals.