Compassionate Pioneers and Compassionate Pioneering


Brief Hybrid Workshop Compassionate Pioneers and Compassionate Pioneering November 29, 2007

Lecture Notes

This is Steve Gilbert, president of the TLT Group.

The purpose of this part of a Brief Hybrid Workshop is to encourage others to engage in acts of "Compassionate Pioneering." I also hope this workshop will remind each of us to be a little more aware of those who contribute so much in so many small ways.

You can get to Web page for this Brief Hybrid Workshop and some related links by using the URLs on the last slide in this presentation.


Compassionate Pioneers

Lecture Notes

Compassionate Pioneers are those who not only reach beyond their own limits and lead the way in developing or trying new options, but who also encourage and help their colleagues to take the same path. Especially in improving teaching and learning.

Now that so many of us are trying to cope with Too Much Information, Too Many Options, and Too Little Time, we need Compassionate Pioneers and occasional acts of Compassionate Pioneering more than ever Perhaps to help each other, as Ursula Franklin has written, to be "Personally Happy and Publicly Useful."


Light Small Candles

Lecture Notes

Perhaps only a few of us can be "Compassionate Pioneers" all the time, but most of us can engage occasionally in acts of "Compassionate Pioneering." We can light small candles.


Discussion Questions

Lecture Notes

The questions that follow are intended to stimulate discussion about Compassionate Pioneers and acts of Compassionate Pioneering and to elicit names of Compassionate Pioneers, especially the "unsung heroes" among them.

Most important, I hope you'll be prompted to describe some specific acts of Compassionate Pioneering that are both worthy of our emulation and within our capabilities - for most of us who cannot be Compassionate Pioneers all the time.


1. Compassionate Pioneers - Obvious

Lecture Notes


2. Compassionate Pioneers - "Unsung Heroes"

Lecture Notes

Who are one or two other people who occasionally act like Compassionate Pioneers? These "unsung heroes":

A. Are unlikely to be recognized as deserving an institutional award, and unlikely to be acknowledged as heroes of teaching/learning even within their own institutions

B. Occasionally demonstrate the essential qualities of Compassionate Pioneers by attempting or developing something new that improves teaching and learning

AND by helping some colleagues to make similar efforts


3. Compassionate Pioneering Activities

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What are one or two exemplary activities of "Compassionate Pioneering" done by unsung heroes?

Activities that are worthy of our emulation and within our capabilities - for most of us.


Thanks

Lecture Notes

Thanks to so many of you who continue to engage in acts of Compassionate Pioneering. Who move forward and help each other. Who light small candles.

And thanks to any of you who can take the time - perhaps after this workshop - to help us identify more unsung heroes and expand our collection of exemplary, do-able acts of Compassionate Pioneering.


More about/for this Brief Hybrid Workshop and related topics:

Lecture Notes

Thanks for your participation and contributions.