I always go to conferences with a little trepidation. Will the speakers be engaging? Will presenters put the right amount of information on their powerpoint slides so I am able to read them? Will they blind me with science or clarify my understanding? Will I mostly hear what I already know or will I be intrigued by new information, inspired by ideas and cheered by being with like minds?
The Mind and its Potential conference was packed with good information, good vibes and excellent conversation. There is too much to report on in a short space so I would like to share what were for me, some significant highlights. The first was knowing that there are over 100 Jewish words for different sorts of confusion! If only we had them in English! I enjoyed listening to Arthur Costa talk about Habits of Mind and the fact that we need to prepare students for a very different future to the one we have known. To do this we have to make a significant mind shift in how we think about education and the educative process. In brief from knowing answers to knowing how to behave when answers are not apparent, from transmitting meaning to constructing meaning, from external evaluation to self-assessment (love this but I guess others may take some persuading!); from compartmentalised subjects to transdisciplinary learning and from motivating others to liberating the human innate passion for learning. Learning should be free from fear and full of creative opportunities. This was mirrored in Dan Pink's presentation on Drive - the surprising truth about what motivates us. He said that carrots and sticks were used extensively to get people to work harder but in fact what people need more than this is autonomy, mastery and purpose. He cited companies who gave their employees time to work on whatever they wanted and that the best innovations happened in that time.
On Saturday I went to Dr Stuart Brown's workshop on the importance of play and how it shapes your brain, opens your imagination and invigorates your soul. Although, I knew most of the content I was fascinated by his examples of what happens when play is repressed and how necessary play is for the development of empathy.
There was so much to hear and learn. The remaining great highlights were Toni Noble's presentation on resilience and the Bounce Back program. What she managed to get through in less than 15 minutes was impressive. She made an impact on everyone with several other speakers referring to her talk. She also raised the profile of Wellbeing Australia. And finally the trumpeter James Morrison being interviewed by Richard Fidler followed by a brief performance and a long- standing ovation! A fine finale to a great event.
PS: Big Ideas, 11am Tuesday 30 November on ABC1 will feature an excerpt of the panel "Optimising our Learning Potential", featuring Phillip Heath, Arthur Costa, Judy Willis, Toni Noble and chaired by Richard Aedy, Life Matters.