The "Why"

To date, everyone I have spoken to about Edushift agrees with the three premises.

I feel good about that because I want the Edushift network to grow with a solid foundation; a theory of action that can be tested and retested as necessary. The three premises are the basis from which Edushift can move forward. And Edushift is really about “the how” - to help public education transform, as Sir Ken Robinson has described, from its current “industrial age” mode to newly relevant institution that promotes the creativity and divergent thinking of students. Recently I have been contemplating, in response to a TED presentation by Simon Sinek, about how great organizations have to understand their “why” before moving to their “what” and “how”. For example, Apple (will this still be the case without Steve Jobs(?)) is successful because it sees its primary function not as making money, or even building great computers, but as changing the world through its technology. Many organizations don’t have a good understanding of their “why” because profit margin, an outcome of success, is confused with primary function. Everybody needs to feel a connection with the organization that they commit their time and future to; to feel that they are a part of something larger than themselves. This is the basis from which people stay inspired to learn and grow. Structure drives behaviour. Understanding your “why” is what it’s all about.

Now, at the risk of being presumptuous, it seems to me that the “why” behind Edushift should be obvious.We need strong systems of public education. Public education is the great equalizer; the backbone of our economies and communities. Strong public education is what defines civilized societies. But perhaps the clearest reason I can offer with respect to the “why” behind Edushift is that, particularly in this day and age, every student should enjoy school.