Feb 17, 2021
Joining Tom today is Thomas Hatch, a professor at the Teachers College Columbia University and the Director of the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching (NCREST). Thomas’s research includes studies of school improvement, district, and national levels. His latest book, The Education We Need for a Future We Can’t Predict, focuses on efforts to create more powerful learning experiences both inside and outside schools in developed and developing contexts.
In Thomas and Tom’s conversation, they discuss the future of powerful learning, micro-innovations, and change. Thomas takes listeners through his book, The Education We Need for a Future We Can’t Predict, and shares the key components that lead to school and systems change. This is a fascinating discussion so don’t miss out!
Key Takeaways:
[:10] About today’s episode with Thomas Hatch.
[:42] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Thomas Hatch to the podcast.
[:51] Thomas shares the origin story of NCREST as well as its mission.
[3:01] Tom shares his appreciation for Thomas’s early work on the concept of coherence.
[3:39] Thomas takes us to the early beginnings of his work around coherence and explains what it is and why it is important.
[7:26] Tom congratulates Thomas on his new book, The Education We Need for a Future We Can’t Predict, and shares what he loves about it.
[7:54] Thomas tells about each of the sections in his book, starting with part 1: “Why Should Schools Change?” He headlines the case for change and provides some suggestions on how to create agreements around them.
[11:40] Tom shares the key insights he appreciated in the first section.
[12:27] The second section of the book covers barriers to change. Thomas lists some of the barriers and what we can do to make progress in overcoming them.
[15:39] In section three of Thomas’s book, he writes about how schools can improve. In particular, he focuses on high-leverage problems. Thomas explains what these are, why they’re critical, and shares some examples.
[17:33] The next section of Thomas’s book is on how education can change where he introduces the concept of micro-innovations. Thomas explains what these are and what they can do to move a system agenda forward.
[20:18] Tom shares how 4.0 Schools have been teaching this idea of micro-innovations.
[21:07] Chapter 5 of Thomas’ book is on systems change. Thomas speaks about two critical elements of systems change that are covered in this chapter: capacity building and collective responsibility.
[25:28] Would Thomas agree that it takes a decade-long push on all three of these primary levers to really promote systems change?
[27:44] Thomas reflects on his career, professional learning, and how he has seen education change over the years.
[30:29] Would Thomas say that writing is part of his learning process?
[32:00] What’s next for Thomas?
[34:10] Tom thanks Thomas for joining the Getting Smart Podcast!
Mentioned in This Episode:
The Education We Need for a Future We Can’t Predict, by Thomas Hatch
National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching (NCREST)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
ATLAS Communities | Project Zero
The New American Schools Development Corporation (JSTOR)
Coalition of Essential Schools
Albemarle County Public Schools
Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 256: “Jenny Pieratt on Powerful PBL”
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