Thought Leading Dinners

The flagship of the Learning Society vision would be a series of quarterly ‘Thought Leading Dinners.’ The intention is to have over 100 of these dinners happening across Scotland at one and the same time, all connected via a video link. See below for the thinking behind the dinners

The first such event is to address our education system - the following is the announcement of the presentation. We have arranged to have the presentation broadcast by The University of Abertay so that anyone can pick it up where ever there are. For details how to connect go to file "how to tune in" There are several groups meeting to receive and discuss the implications of this presentation. For list of venues coordinated by the DLN see Venues

Unlocking Potential

A Paradigm Shift in our Education System

Billy O'Neill and Anne Theresa Lawrie

Monday 28th January 2008 at 5.30pm to 7.30pm

From Abertay University - but video linked to where you are.  

Can we revolutionise our perception of education?  Has the needs of education changed?  

"In our fast changing technological world we can’t predict what content our pupils will have to deal with in 20 years time. However we know for certain that they will have to be flexible, adaptable thinkers and learners in the 21st century."  ( Billy O'Neill)

To unleash the potential of us all do we require to move away from "instruction" and onto working with learners? And can we, from an appreciation of how the brain works, develop methods that focuses on our thinking and learning ability - i.e our cognitive skills? Our cognitive ability in context of developing a clear perception, working systematically, organisation of time, stopping impulsivity, broadening our mental field etc etc. Can we develop our intrinsic motivation - our love of learning - and enable youngsters to be critical thinkers? In the process can we develop the emotional intelligence and belief of our children so that they stay engaged with the education process, and fewer and fewer drop out and rebel through indiscipline, street crime etc.?  

The Feuerstein project in the Scottish Borders has been addressing the above issues with remarkable success.   Billy and Anne Theresa will present the concepts and outcomes of this project on 28th January from The University of Abertay, Dundee.

The fundamental question is can we as a society learn from the success of this project and hence develop our education system?

You can view the presentation where you are. - Abertay University will be videoing and broadcasting the presentation live. So if you have broadband you can pick it up where ever you are. You will also be able to view it from a web site after the event.   We are also establishing various satellite groups across Scotland so that can groups can view the presentation and discuss the implications.   We very much hope you will support this innovative project - not only in context of the work in The Scottish Borders - but also by the fact that we are using modern technology to make it available to the whole of Scotland (and beyond)     Could you please therefore:

1. Indicate your wish to attend/view the presentation.
2. Do you wish to attend the presentation in Dundee or do you wish to be part of a satellite group, or are you going to view the presentation independently.
3. Would you be willing to coordinate/chair a satellite group? - more details will be provided in due course
4. If you wish to join a satellite group - could you provide your location so that we can advise you of your nearest group..

More information about the project is available from the following links:

  1. An 8 minute clip showing the approach in practice in the Borders led off by Anne Theresa Lawrie herself   http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/learningaboutlearning/movies/bordersthinking.asp  

2. A four minute clip from Prof Brian Boyd of Strathclyde University considering deeper thinking about education - http://www.journeytoexcellence.org.uk/movies/lal/intelligenceisnotfixedbrianboyd.asp  

 3. Billy O'Neill's web site http://www.feuersteintraining.co.uk  

4. An audit of the project was conducted by the QIE Centre of Strathclyde University - with very positive outcomes. The report can be viewed from the "education" page

*************************************************** 

The concept of the Thought Leading Dinners

The thinking behind these dinners is that:

• The dinners would be in groups of 8-10 of peers

• Individuals, in this high pressure world, are more available to attend an evening event

• We learn through presentations

• But we also learn through the opportunity to have open and honest dialogue with our peers.

• We enjoy learning with our peers.

• Each dinner would be chaired by a host who invites attendees.

These dinners would take the format of:

• A presentation from an internationally renown speaker

• The speaker to have identified with the vision of a learning society and its focus on our underpinning thinking (theories)

• The presentation to take one hour

• This is followed by informal conversations with peers

• Then a dinner during which delegates will be asked to discuss specific issues raised by the speaker

• Centrally there will be a chairperson for all the dinners

• Centrally there will be an individual whose role is to manage the context of the thoughts conveyed and discussed.

• A CD of the presentation would be made available to all delegates.

Hosts

• We would seek 100+ volunteers to invite 8-10 colleagues to participate in these dinners.
• The volunteer would host and chair each session.
• The hosts will be asked to participate in a half day workshop to discuss the aims and the foundations of this learning society vision.