Whenever I start working with a team of facilitators for a CFG Coaches Clinic, I always ask them to journal about a powerful CFG moment. We share our stories and look for the traits of powerful learning in a CFG setting. The lists are always slightly different--but I think this process helps us develop agendas that are more likely to lead to powerful learning for the participants.
When I met with Gayle, Allison, and Mari to develop an agenda for our upcoming clinic about portfolios, our list of traits of powerful CFG moments included: fun, feeling of all in it together, facilitators and participants were responsive to dilemmas and each other, hopeful atmosphere, opportunities for feedback on own work, and opportunities for overcoming obstacles.
I'm also thinking about Gene's speech at the Winter Meeting. How do we create atmospheres which support powerful learning for teachers? Does it have to look like a traditional CFG? What else can it look like?
Posted by Donna at February 1, 2005 03:17 PM