In this day of ready information, how do you share information for best effect.
At the root of this choice is the decision related to what information you want to collect, and how you plan to use it.
For example, if you're enlisting a large group of teachers in a discussion about writing, a whole group share will certainly be ineffective to start with. That share will be ineffective because teachers' voices are not often entertained, and teachers have a lot to share with regard to their teaching thoughts and practice. Hence opening the discussion with a whole group share will likely result in a log jam of ideas and opinions, most likely leaving people frustrated.
A systematic way to enlist the voices of all to best effect a positive decision includes the following:
1. Educate all as to the purpose of the discussion i.e. new standards, policies, current events. . . Survey all with regard to the topic.
Design the survey with the end product in mind--what information pieces do you want to collect, and how do you want to demonstrate that data. Text/paragraph notes can be cumbersome to evaluate, yet people's specific opinions are important. I believe the best surveys include lots of data that can be communicated in graphs and charts, and some data that represents people's comments, stories and points of view.
2. Create a document that shows all survey results.
3. Decide on a forum that will elicit the best possible discussion and decision making. Give all decision makers the data they need. Organize the process, and collect results.
4. Publish results and collect data and information related to next steps. Draft a collaborative statement. Publish the draft for comment. Hold a meeting to finalize the document and implementation policy.
5. Publish and begin implementation. Institute a regular process of revision, refinement and response to keep the policy and practice up to date and responsive to students' needs.
How we think about information gathering and use today will be different in days of old. Giving this optimal forethought will lead to decisions and policies that are responsive and informative. Don't you agree?
