Transformational Education:Transformational Education:Advancing the Advancing the

UW Extension MissionUW Extension Mission

Margaret A. BethelDirector, MSU Extension

March 2, 2004

 

3

Mission & Vision StatementsMission & Vision Statements

MISSIONMISSION

UW-Extension extends the knowledge and resources of the University of Wisconsin to people where they live and work.

VISIONVISION

Wisconsin’s educational network for engaging people and their communities in positive change.change.change.

Remember when ……?Remember when ……?

Consider the History of Consider the History of Encyclopedia BritannicaEncyclopedia Britannica

• Oldest English Language Encyclopedia

• 15 editions in 225 years

• Record sales in 1989 : $627 million

• Sold 117,000 copies @ $1300 each in 1990

• Profitable in 19 of previous 20 years

• Heavily invested in specific sales approach

Then along comes . . .Then along comes . . .

Consider the History of Consider the History of Encyclopedia BritannicaEncyclopedia Britannica

• Emergence of CD Rom Encyclopedia• CD adds graphics, sound and video• CD is cheap to manufacture and store • Britannica had losses of 4.6 mil in 1992 and

$15 mil in 1993• Management looks for a buyer in the $400 –

500 mil range• In 1995, CEO Peter Norton retires (Source: Blown to Bits, Evans & Wurster)(Source: Blown to Bits, Evans & Wurster)

Knowledge ModelKnowledge Model

University

Knowledge

Betterment of the Community

Discovery

Impact

PreservationIntegrationApplication

Mission Vision StatementsMission Vision Statements

MISSIONMISSION

UW-Extension extends the knowledge and resources of the University of Wisconsin to people where they live and work.

VISIONVISION

Wisconsin’s educational network for engaging people and their communities in positive change.

The Engaged UniversityThe Engaged University

EngagementEngagement is the partnership of university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors; to enrich scholarship and research, to enhance curriculum, teaching and learning, to prepare educated, engaged citizens, to strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility, to address critical societal issues, and to contribute to the public good.

Committee for Institutional Partnership – Big Ten Partnership, Nov. 2003

prepare educated, engaged citizens, to strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility, to address critical societal issues, and to contribute to the public good

An Educated Community / WorldAn Educated Community / World

• What benchmarks can be established to define the land-grant university’s impact and results of it’s community-based mission and presence?

• What defines an educated community?

• How does one create an educated community?

So how have I been spending my So how have I been spending my program time?program time?

• Generate a quick list of programs – major and minor for the last 6 mos. – list education programs and focused blocks of information that you have been involved in delivering.

• List the big headings in your plan of work … what you have committed to focusing on.

CONTENT

RELATIONSHIP

Scholarship of Discovery, Integration,

Application of Knowledge

low

high

Information

FacilitationTransformational

Education

Content Transmission

high

PR

OC

ES

SEducational Processes

Adapted from Merrill Ewart Model, Process and Content

A continuous process of knowledge discovery,integration, application and reflection. The goal is not to accumulate more knowledge but to expand of the capacity to produce the desired results by applying knowledge. M. Bethel, 2003

Transformational Learning:Transformational Learning:

______

_____________________________

________________

_______________________________________

Transformational Learning Transformational Learning Process:Process:

Community Leadership Development““Leading” to Community ChangeLeading” to Community Change

COMMUNICATION!!Interlaced with facilitation and introduction of

knowledge

Problem Articulation

Concept Formation

Gathering Resources

Experimentation/Testing

Problem Solving

Questions & Experimentation

Human Resources

Facilitation Resources

Learning Resources

Shared Future

Actualized Vision

Leadership

Transformational Education ProcessTransformational Education ProcessStrong bonds between and among learners.

Refine the questions, develop the process, which is iterative in nature.

Learn a little, build a little, test a little.

Develop new questions.

Incremental victories and payoffs.

SCHOLARSHIP IN EXTENSION

Hierarchical

Expert Model

Helping Systems

Win/Lose

Professional Development

Developmental, Critical Thinking

Dedicated to Outcomes

Learning and Discovery Processes

Creating New Futures

Professional and Personal Development

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Old Learning / Old Learning / New Learning / New Learning / Leadership Leadership

Models Models LeadershipLeadership ModelsModels

CONTENT

RELATIONSHIP

low

high

InformationInformation

FacilitationFacilitation Transformational Transformational EducationEducation

Content Content TransmissionTransmission

high

PR

OC

ES

SEducational Processes

Scholarship of Discovery,Integration,

Application of Knowledge

Educate for

Community Action

Effective Effective Transformational Educators:Transformational Educators:

• Be skilled in facilitation.• Create opportunities and take risks.• Have access to diverse opportunities for each

group member to make contributions networks of knowledge, research, and human resources.

• Treat learners as equals; group members are differentiated by individual responsibilities and types of contributions to the group’s learning.

So how have I been spending my So how have I been spending my program time?program time?

InformationInformation

FacilitationFacilitation

Content Content TransmissionTransmission

Transformational Transformational EducationEducation

Extension is highly skilled in understanding Extension is highly skilled in understanding the communitythe community context.context.

Nobody understands community Nobody understands community context better than Extension!context better than Extension!

• This is our niche.

• We are part of the community and have immediate access to people and resources.

• We are part of the experience, part of the solution and will be invested /affected by the outcome.

• We know the good, the bad and the ugly.

• We are the lighthouse !!

• Identify trigger events, education and leadership development opportunities

• Organize stakeholders and leaders and secure resources and partnerships

• Understand, articulate and bolster local capacity

• Provide issue-focus, but not be issue-bound

• Honor community heritage, circumstance

• Insure involvement of diversity - race, ethnicity, gender, age, social class, occupation, etc.

Needed skills in assessing the Needed skills in assessing the communitycommunity context.context.

We are the lighthouse !!We are the lighthouse !!

“Universities have an important obligation to people far beyond the borders of our campuses. We are stewards of knowledge that can serve as an important beacon, but only if that knowledge is dispersed and shared freely with everyone who seeks it.”

Kevin ReillyChancellor, UW-Extensionat the Outreach Scholarship conference, 2003

“…in the next century we will have to become much more skilled at creating leaders. Without enough leaders, the vision, communication, and empowerment that are at the heart of transformation will simply not happen well enough or fast enough to satisfy our needs and expectations.”

On Transformational Leadership:On Transformational Leadership:

John Kotter, Leading Change

Transformational education in the community context is about building leaders for that community around issue content. Mastering content

knowledge and building group leadership capacity occur

simultaneously.

On Transformational Leadership:On Transformational Leadership:

• Question existing assumptions and values.

• Venture beyond existing blinders and comfort

zone.

• Move from fear of circumstance to courage and

optimism about the changes that can be made.

• Move from conformity to reformation.

Extension as Transformational Extension as Transformational CommunityCommunity Leaders: Leaders:

Adapted from: “Transformative Learning and Counselor Education”, 2002Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D

• Move from making a living to making a

difference.

• Move from self-interest to community / global

concerns.

• Move from competition to cooperation.

• Move from individualism to collective efforts.

Extension as Transformational Extension as Transformational CommunityCommunity Leaders: Leaders: (CONT’D)(CONT’D)

Adapted from: “Transformative Learning and Counselor Education”, 2002Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D

Educated Community/World

Leadership & Values

Skills / Workplace Preparation

Global Knowledge

… Improve quality of life, best

practices and

economic strength

… Strengthen commitment to

democracy/ diversity

… Strengthen citizen participation and civic responsibility to improve outcomes for community members

… Globalize perspectives and contacts

Educated Person

Adapted from MSU University Outreach and Engagement

The land-grant university has a special commitment to engage its faculty, instructional and research resources to the betterment of the state.

Civic Engagement

Additional Thoughts on Additional Thoughts on Leadership:Leadership:

• Some people are born leaders, but there are not enough of them to go around.

• Leadership cannot be taught, but it is essential that it is learned.

BUILDING LEADERS WHO CAN PRODUCE CHANGE!BUILDING LEADERS WHO CAN PRODUCE CHANGE!

Embracing Embracing Transformational Education Transformational Education

Shared Future

Actualized Vision

Leadership

What are the organizational systems changessystems changes necessary to support more work at the transformational level?

UWEX Professional DevelopmentUWEX Professional Development

CONTENTlow

high

CoreCoreCompetenciesCompetencies

high

AOE / Dept. AOE / Dept. Content Related Content Related

Professional Professional DevelopmentDevelopment

TechnologyTechnologyTrainingTraining

PR

OC

ES

S

Change Leaders

CONTENT

high

PR

OC

ES

S

highlow

FacilitationFacilitationToolsTools

Research Research Based Based

ProgramsPrograms

Transformational Transformational EducationEducation

InformationInformationManagementManagement

SystemsSystems

InformationInformation

ManagementManagement

UWEX Ed Technology SystemsUWEX Ed Technology Systems

CONTENT

high

PR

OC

ES

S

highlow

FacilitationFacilitation

ToolsTools

Transformational Transformational Education Education

ToolsTools

Information Management System

UWEX Ed Technology SystemsUWEX Ed Technology Systems

Research Research Based Based

ProgramsPrograms

InformationInformationManagementManagement

InformationInformationManagementManagement

SystemsSystemsFact Sheets

Bulletins

StatisticsDemo.

Local Inform.

Shared Work Space

Digital Visuals

ReportsInternal

Info.

AOEPrograms

FormsReg.

Systems

Data Bases

StateNat’l Links

Research Reports

Partner Agencies

NewslettersMedia

Teaching Tools

CONTENTlow

high

FacilitationFacilitation

high

Content Content TransmissionTransmission

Content Content TransmissionTransmission

InformationInformationManagementManagement

SystemsSystems

Interactive TechnologyInteractive Technology

Transformational Transformational EducationEducation

PR

OC

ES

S CODECInteractive

On DemandLearningBroad Band TV

Prof.Dev.

ConsultationsProblemSolving

E-Committees

Forums Groups

UWEX Educational TechnologyUWEX Educational Technology

• Administrative Structures

• Reporting, Evaluation

• Educational Technologies

• Budget

• Communication and Marketing

• Other

What kinds of systems changes are What kinds of systems changes are needed to move more programs to a needed to move more programs to a

transformational level at UWEX?transformational level at UWEX?

• Program Development

• Personnel / Hiring

• Evaluation / Tenure

• Professional Dev.

• Diversity Education

• Extension Councils

• Staff Coverage Plans

Self Test for ExtensionSelf Test for ExtensionTransformational LeadersTransformational Leaders

• Articulate a clear, powerful, transformational agenda.

• Are highly effective at gaining the agreement and commitment of other people.

• Are teachers who facilitate the learning of others to implement a larger transformation and shared vision. “A Call for Transformational Leadership: Essay and

Leadership Self Assessment”, Gary Stokes

Transformational leaders

Self Test for ExtensionSelf Test for ExtensionTransformational Leaders Transformational Leaders (CONT’D)(CONT’D)

• Create a critical mass of leadership around a vision by skillfully nurturing the growth and development of other leaders.

• Learn about themselves and new content as they carry out their transformational work.

• Have stamina, endurance and fortitude and realize the journey never truly ends. “A Call for Transformational Leadership: Essay and

Leadership Self Assessment”, Gary Stokes

Transformational leaders

So, what is the vision for transformational So, what is the vision for transformational education and leadership in Extension?education and leadership in Extension?

• All Extension staff members have educational initiatives represented by programs conducted at the transformational level.

• All Extension staff members will possess and utilize a blend of content and facilitation skills that enhances their ability to be effective transformational leaders.

So, what is the vision for transformational So, what is the vision for transformational education and leadership in Extension?education and leadership in Extension?

• Extension councils are made up of transformational leaders who emerge from our program efforts and will develop a vision for community transformation that drives the content of strong Extension programs.

• Our AoEs are learning teams, working at the transformational level in program development, discovery, invention and reflection to engage communities across the state in change and transformation.

UW Extension Creates Community UW Extension Creates Community Mosaics of Transformational LeadersMosaics of Transformational Leaders

Bring leadership together in communities around common valuesBring leadership together in communities around common values.

Youth

Agricultural Producers

Volunteers

Business Leaders

Civic Leaders

Agencies and Schools

Families

WE CAN!WE CAN!

Go Out and BeGo Out and BeBRILLIANT!!!BRILLIANT!!!

• Building Capacity - Educating for Community Action, No. 6 Building Capacity - Educating for Community Action, No. 6

• Building Capacity – From Transferring to Transforming, No. 7 Building Capacity – From Transferring to Transforming, No. 7

• Building Capacity – Community-Based Environmental Education in Practice, Building Capacity – Community-Based Environmental Education in Practice,

No. 8 No. 8

Community-based Environmental EducationCommunity-based Environmental Education

Environmental stewardship is routinely Environmental stewardship is routinely

ranked as a top education need whenever ranked as a top education need whenever

county leaders are asked to prioritize local county leaders are asked to prioritize local

issues. Citizens can apply an issues. Citizens can apply an

environmental stewardship perspective to environmental stewardship perspective to

every and all community development every and all community development

activities. ERC initiatives to strengthen activities. ERC initiatives to strengthen

citizen understanding, appreciation and citizen understanding, appreciation and

skills include the biannual ENVIRONMENT skills include the biannual ENVIRONMENT

catalog, the Community Environmental catalog, the Community Environmental

Assessment Fact Sheet Series, and the Assessment Fact Sheet Series, and the

annual Growing Communities-Greening annual Growing Communities-Greening

Communities Educational Teleconference Communities Educational Teleconference

Network and many other environmental Network and many other environmental

management programs provided by ERC management programs provided by ERC

staff.staff.

LinksLinks

ENVIRONMENT Catalog

Local Land Use Planning and Zoning Schedule

EPA/Cooperative Extension Partnership EPA/Cooperative Extension Partnership

Project SeriesProject Series

• Supporting Community-Based Environmental Education - Discussion Paper Summary, No. 1

• Leadership Roles for Cooperative Extension - Building Partnerships for Strong Communities, No. 2

• Linking to US EPA - A County Extension Guide to the EPA, Region 5, No. 3

• Leadership Roles for US EPA - Forging Solutions for Sustainable Communities, No. 4

• Linking to Cooperative Extension - A US EPA Guide to Cooperative Extension in Region 5 States, No. 5

• Building Capacity - Educating for Community Action, No. 6

• Building Capacity – From Transferring to Transforming, No. 7

• Building Capacity – Community-Based Building Capacity – Community-Based

Environmental Education in Practice, No. Environmental Education in Practice, No.

8 8

• Comparing USDA Cooperative Extension Comparing USDA Cooperative Extension

and US EPA/Guide to Pamphlets, No. 9 and US EPA/Guide to Pamphlets, No. 9

• Complete set of pamphlets Complete set of pamphlets

© 2004 by Board of Regents of the University © 2004 by Board of Regents of the University

of Wisconsin System.of Wisconsin System.

http://www.uwex.edu/erc/envstew.html

Resources:Resources:

When you think, think BIG !!When you think, think BIG !!