The newest intake of the BastowLSDA course have now experienced 1 week of LSDA learning and as can be expected, everyone is at a different comfort level and learning stage: some people are feeling a little overwhelmed, slightly disorganised and possibly swamped by the course's demands while others are eager to make more connections and get things happening.
STORMING -> NORMING
This is a totally natural response and one that easily fits into Tuckman's stages of group dynamics: many course participants are currently in the STORMING stage. Storming because everything is that little bit unclear, some are feeling unsure and uncomfortable and the emotions about and attitudes towards the learning experience for others are somewhat turbulent. However, with persistence and resilience, these feelings soon morph into a NORMING - as course participants become more acquainted and comfortable with the rigours of the course, manage to set aside enough time to do the readings, viewings and reflections and make connections across their PLN.
These feelings are natural and, in fact, expected. But the only way to overcome them is to do the best you can - seek help when you need it, share your concerns with others and persist. Of course, this relies on participants giving themselves the time and space to do this learning. The course doesn't work if it's a little thought about add-on.
As the picture says - keep your collective chins up and try your best. Your course mentors and the course facilitators are here to help smooth the way and support you.
After all, we expect our students to walk into our classrooms every day ready to learn and try something new...let's take a lesson from them and just do they best we can!
So true!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is important for us to recognise for ourselves that there is always this initial discomfort, confusion and frustration phase when we step into something new. Perseverance will eventually bring about the familiarity that results in the "norming". It is critical though, that school leaders recognise that such reactions are to be expected from staff initially and that the "norming" phase will eventually come. Many needed initiatives are stopped dead in the water by leaders not preparing themselves to accept and weather the inevitable "storming" reaction phase from teachers, parents and students.
ReplyDeleteSo true Alan and a great segue into your Second Order Change workshop for later too :). It's hard preparing yourself for conflict caused by people's fear of change and discomfort with it - but you're so right, if you know (or expect) it's coming, then you can prepare for it and brace yourself...thereby weathering the storm!
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