Working At The Edge

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Compasses Over Maps

By Randy Ziegenfuss

Compasses Over Maps

…a map implies a detailed knowledge of the terrain, and the existence of an optimum route; the compass is a far more flexible tool and requires the user to employ creativity and autonomy in discovering his or her own path. The decision to forfeit the map in favor of the compass recognizes that in an […]

Filed Under: Leadership, Learning

What do you mean by personalized learning? Helpful resources…

By Randy Ziegenfuss

What do you mean by personalized learning? Helpful resources…

A recent conversation at EdcampLV (facilitated by Marc Gosselin) helped me understand that how we individually conceptualize personalized learning is dependent on what we actually believe about learning. Most of us have lived the dominant school-centered paradigm of learning where we “give” learning to the learner. It’s about what we think learners should know, how and […]

Filed Under: Leadership, Learning

What are the best conditions for learning….for you as a professional?

By Randy Ziegenfuss

What are the best conditions for learning….for you as a professional?

During a recent PBL presentation, Erin Murphy and Ross Cooper posed a terrific question to the audience: What is the best/worst PD you’ve ever experienced? After some initial chuckling from the audience and some time to discuss, two attendees shared a “best” PD experience with the whole group: Keystone Technology Innovators (This is an excellent program […]

Filed Under: Leadership, Learning

Seeing the vast capabilities and limitless potential in all learners

By Randy Ziegenfuss

Seeing the vast capabilities and limitless potential in all learners

This past week I ran across an article online titled Gifted and talented kids: How do you nurture a curious mind? It’s a fascinating read to learn what five outstanding young minds are accomplishing as a result of sustained curiosity and the support of caring adults. Yes, these are amazing young learners with great stories! While it’s exciting these learners have […]

Filed Under: Leadership, Learning

#FutureLearning Podcast – Episode 007 – What will future jobs look like?

By Randy Ziegenfuss

#FutureLearning Podcast – Episode 007 – What will future jobs look like?

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode we take a look at economist Andrew McAfee’s TED talk on the future of jobs and how this talk provides urgency for change in our education system. After reviewing the key points in the talk, I ask, How will education be a part of charting that “good course into […]

Filed Under: futurelearning

What are you talking about?

By Randy Ziegenfuss

What are you talking about?

My colleague, Lynn Fuini-Hetten, and I recently chatted with Dr. Kevin Brown and Dr. Frank Alfaro, Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, respectively, of the Alamo Heights Independent School District in Texas. We were discussing learner-centered leadership in AHISD for an episode of the upcoming podcast, Shift Your Paradigm: from school-centered to learner-centered. During our conversation, Kevin reflected on one […]

Filed Under: Leadership

#FutureLearning Podcast – Episode 006: #AskAboutAI

By Randy Ziegenfuss

#FutureLearning Podcast – Episode 006: #AskAboutAI

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode I share the #AskAboutAI initiative and it’s four focus areas: jobs, civics, skills and impact. I use the Getting Smart article #AskAboutAI: Informing Educators, Parents and Policymakers About Life With Smart Machines as this episode’s main resource. During the podcast you’ll learn why AI should be a part of […]

Filed Under: futurelearning

Learner-centered Leadership and Principles of Creative Learning

By Randy Ziegenfuss

Learner-centered Leadership and Principles of Creative Learning

I’ve been thinking about learner-centered leadership and tinkering with ideas by mixing proposed principles of learner-centered leadership with ideas from other areas. Most recently, I looked at learner-centered leadership and exponential times. In this post, I pose some questions and share thoughts about learner-centered leadership and the principles of creative learning as embraced by the MIT Media […]

Filed Under: Leadership

#FutureLearning Podcast – Episode 005: What if school leaders had a plan for future forecasting?

By Randy Ziegenfuss

#FutureLearning Podcast – Episode 005: What if school leaders had a plan for future forecasting?

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn today’s episode I’m sharing an article by futurist Amy Webb titled The Flare and Focus of Successful Futurists and thoughts on the question, What if school leaders had a plan for future forecasting? Here are some of the additional questions on the topic: If we were to implement […]

Filed Under: futurelearning

Learner-centered Leadership in Exponential Times

By Randy Ziegenfuss

Learner-centered Leadership in Exponential Times

In this post I explore the intersection of learner-centered leadership and exponential times, looking to leaders outside of the field of education and placing this new learning in the context of an exponentially changing world. Learner-centered Leadership Recently, I wrote a post on learner-centered leadership in which I shared initial thoughts as my colleague and I dig deeper […]

Filed Under: Leadership

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About Working At The Edge:

My name is Randy Ziegenfuss, and I'm a retired public school superintendent and a life-long educator with over 34 years experience developing a passion for teaching, learning, leadership and technology. <read more...>

I first came across the phrase working at the edge while learning about the work of Marzano, et al. School Leadership That Works: From Research to Results. In this work, the researchers define 21 responsibilities of the school leader, one being change agent. A change agent is defined as one who is, "...willing to challenge school practices that have been in place for a long time and promoting the value of working at the edge of one's competence."

Randy Ziegenfuss, Ed.D.

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