Recently, Dr. Polk and I ran a webinar where we talked about Prosocial and Schools. Prosocial represents the scientific approach to promoting group cooperation based on the work of biologist David Sloan Wilson. Dr. Wilson collaborated with Dr. Elinor Ostrom, a Nobel Prize winning economist .  Dr. Ostrom documented the highly effective  design principles that lead to local communities successfully developing resources for the “common good”. Dr Polk adapted the matrix to include Ostrom’s design principles for groups and Prosocial.  So, what does all of this have to do with schools?

Read more

With the matrix we can always choose to notice where we are coming from and where we want to go. We can influence our learners to do the same. Here is a short clip about working with internal or external conflict and how you can use the “matrix tenkan move” to flex things up.

Read more

I spend much of my time meeting with parents and students, discussing educational matters, and planing for the future. I typically start by asking for permission to show everyone my point of view. A “yes” or a nod of the head later I ask,” Who is important to you?”.  Learners will often look at me and their eyes will widen. One student recently replied, “No one has ever asked me that question before!”. He then looked at his mother sitting next to him and the two of them smiled at each other. Right from the start flexibility showed up ( as it usually does).

Read more

In my opinion, our learners are our planet’s most precious resource. We want to help them develop the skills they need to go into the world with workable tools to make their way and get along with others. Toward that end the aim of most educational enterprises is to empower learners to take charge of their lives. When young people start out on their journeys we guide them and make most of the important decisions. As they mature we shift more and more to the process of promoting their ability to choose. Using the matrix with young people takes “choosing” to another level.

Read more