Two years ago I attended the 12th (my first) International Conference on Thinking in Melbourne. I would say that this week was one of those turning moments in my life as an educator. For five evenings after full days of workshops, thinking and discussions I shared my new intense learnings with anyone who had three hours to listen to the rave! I remember those evenings of processing the WOW! The thinking and passion this conference evoked in me continues to thrive and drive.
Some snippets of thinking from Melbourne that inspired me to envision new possibilities….

•    If we want our students to learn well and develop deep understanding, we must create cultures of thinking in our schools that actively engage students in thinking on an ongoing basis. These classroom cultures need to be based on care, respect and empathy (Ron Ritchhart).
•     How can students be encouraged to develop their critical thinking in environmental/sustainability subjects?
•    Edward De Bono- believes that 90% of errors in thinking are perception based. We need to teach thinking skills otherwise perception will control.
•    Three ways of thinking: Looking out (creative thinking), looking in (reflective), looking at (critical)
•    We need to focus on the development of actionable knowledge rather than the acquisition of information.
•    How can we better prepare our young for a changing and more complex future?
•    Resourcefulness is knowing what to do when you don’t know what to do.
•    Change is difficult because we only see what we are prepared to see.
•    Nothing changes until we pay attention to it.
•    It’s about letting go, letting come.
•    Be comfortable with who you are and what is beyond you….and miracles will occur.
•    What we can do together is more than what I can do.
•    To be constantly engaged in collaborative conversations
•    Find win-win situations
•    Laugh hard and long
•    Attitudes are more important than processes
•    To act and remain open minded as educators
•    Got to step outside what you know, explore the unknown
•    This means we need to be courageous – go to unfamiliar places. Habits are obstacles
•    Mix and mingle ideas
•    Can’t reduce education to what we can quantify (standardized testing)…can’t measure passion, patience, imagination, fear.
•    Provide every student with regular experiences of ecstatic learning.
What will I be doing in June when school gets out? I’ll be on my way to Norrkoping, Sweden for the 14th International Conference on Thinking.