Dr. Bette Grey, School Technology Branch, Alberta Education

Dr. Grey presented a number of interesting ideas today.
The first idea presented was Kingdon's model of organized anarchy of policy making. It poses that there are three streams problem, policy, and political. These streams operate independently for the most part. The problem stream tries to "frame" problems, that is to define the problem. Policy stream tries to identify solutions to the problems. This is more rational part, as it compares problems and solutions and tries to logically pair them together. Then there is the political stream which is where politicians operate. They are bound by rules that are not necessarily rational or logically, but it is the reality in which they find themselves.
Every now and then a "convergence window" opens when something large affects one of the streams. This gives an opportunity for the streams to work together to resolve an issue, relieve political pressure, or to implement an exceptional policy. The frame right now is that problems are not about technology, but rather about student learning. If we want a problem to be recognized (to open a window), we must frame it appropriately.These windows close when there is an actual or percieved solution to a problem that is implemented. This lessens the publicity of an issue, and it is no longer needed to be addressed. Also, someltimes key players with a given issue can change roles (ie. minster of education) which changes the focus, thus closing the window.

Theremay be a window opening with regard to the Learning and Technology policy framework.

Does the ICT Outcome POS (Program of Studies) still exist?
Is it too outdated? Is it being implemented well? How are we assessing it? What, if anything, needs to change?

These are the questions coming out of that particular window. We need to think about how we are going to answer these questions. This will become the policy that is the solution to the problem that we are facing.

Her suggestions for future leaders is that the biggest role of leaders is to be able to foster change.