Systems Thinking (including discussion of Continuous Improvement Plan)

TITLE & FOCUS

Title: Systems Thinking (including discussion of Continuous Improvement Plan)
Descriptions: The workshop provides a framework for systems thinking. Participants will be guided through the concept of the Systems
Thinking Approach as a way of looking at events, issues, and problems. They will explore a research-based systems thinking model for district
administrative team and school board, and discuss the application of systems thinking in evaluation continuous improvement planning. The
application focus is that participants will apply a Systems Thinking Approach to a current school initiative/issue.

NOTES:
 PD hrs: If you are interested in facilitating this workshop for “Professional Development Hours” through ASU, please contact us at
asupll@asu.edu for details (including an Attendance Roster Form and a Participant Feedback Form)
 FEEDBACK: We would appreciate feedback regarding the quality of this PD Facilitator Kit and/or suggestions for improvement (including
participant feedback and/or recommended changes to the Facilitator PowerPoint and/or Facilitator Guide). Please email feedback,
comments, or suggestions for improvements to asupll@asu.edu (be sure to include the exact name of the workshop).

TARGETED LEARNING FOR THIS WORKSHOP

NOTE: It is recommended that the objectives, guiding questions, and key vocabulary be posted during the workshop.

Targeted Objectives (What is to be learned? How will it be demonstrated? Using Observable verbs & Learning outcomes with Evidence):
 Participants will articulate key concepts of systems thinking and apply the concepts to a current school initiative/issue.
 Participants will be able to identify the components of the systems thinking approach in education and consider how this concept can
be applied to an initiative or issue.
 Participants will develop an understanding of the importance of considering how people “fit” in the system.
 Participants will evaluate the alignment of their school improvement plan
Guiding Questions (Task analyze the lesson/objectives, consider the sequential steps, and then write questions that guide participant thinking)
 What is a system?
 How does a system work?
 How do instructional leaders use systems thinking approach to guide decision making regarding a school initiative or issue?
 How do instructional leaders use systems thinking approach to manage people involved in the system?
 How do instructional leaders use systems thinking approach to develop and/or evaluate effective improvement plans?
Key Vocabulary (List words that may need to be defined for clarity; this list may become a poster in the workshop)
 feed-back loops, system, components,
Key Words
 ISLLC Standards, administrator professional development, principal expectations, systems, systems in education
ISLLC Standard (based on Leadership Standards Rubric aligned with ISLLC Performance Expectations & Indicators)
 ISLLC-3 Ensuring management of the organization, operation, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment
Research-Based Critical Behaviors (Vanderbilt University research identified principal behaviors; VAL-ED workshops)
 None/NA

Agenda and Segment Titles Time in Minutes Notes

Introduction and/or Overview of Workshop 30 Slides 1-7 (slide 5 optional)
1st Systems Thinking
1a Introduction to Systems Thinking 90 Slides 8-28
1b Systems Thinking Approach in Education 30 Slides 29-41
2nd People in a Systems Thinking Approach 30 Slides 42-50
3rd Systems Thinking Approach in School Improvement 90 Slides 51-70
4th Drivers, Barriers, & Conclusion 30 Slides 71-76
TOTAL TIME: 300 (5.0 hrs)

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Systems Thinking (including discussion of Continuous Improvement Plan)

Materials, Handouts, Readings, Videos, and other items needed

General Materials (items used throughout whole workshop, and office supply items needed)
 Facilitator Power Point for Systems Thinking
 Facilitator Guide for Systems Thinking
 Agenda (facilitator makes this on chart paper)

Handout (list exact title and name of electronic file; add APA format in the Resources section)
Segment 1:
 Systems Thinking Approach
 Systems Thinking 25 words or less
 Top 10 Interventions (an optional handout, supports slide in PowerPoint)
 Systems Thinking Iceberg
 Systems Thinking Model KWSB
 Systems Thinking Model Blank (may be used multiple times; facilitator may want multiple copies)
Segment 2:
 Systems Thinking Relationships
 (optional) Reflection on Big Ideas
Segment 3
 CIP Arizona Standards (summary)
 CIP Examining Standards (worksheet)

Readings (list exact title and name of electronic file; add APA format in the Resources section)
Segment 1:
 Bridges, Tunnels, and School Reform: It’s the System, Stupid
Thomas F. Kelly. Phi Delta Kappa International, Inc
http://www.pdkmembers.org/members_online/publications/Archive/pdf/k0710kel.pdf
 Effective Schools Learning for All (Optional Reading)
Lawrence W. Lezotte (a version of this paper was published in The Educational Forum, Vol. 30, No. 3 (Spring1996), pp. 238-244.
Kappa Delta Pi, Lafayette, IN)
https://50.28.48.199/~effectiv/staging/images/stories/learningforall.pdf

Videos (list exact title and provide URL; add APA format in the Resources section)
 The House is a System http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3_t8-QIuJg
 “Systems Thinking” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pElXE9DI9e4&feature=related
 “Problem Pictures” or “Rich Picturing” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHONXvSyHa8
STOP at 1:05 (Explain that in this workshop, we are choosing to keep it simple by identifying only the most significant components (in
boxes), and leaving out the numerous line of interdependencies)
 TWO with one link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKozswXz7qM&feature=channel&list=UL
o Stakeholder Analysis - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKozswXz7qM&feature=BFa&list=ULpElXE9DI9e4
o T, O and P synthesis (Technical, Organization, & Personal) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avwb1p9tt8Y
 Mental Models & The Way We Make Sense of Things http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2EIx9rBy78&feature=related
ALTERNATIVE VIDEO (probably too complex, but you may opt to use them; add more time to workshop)
 6 Change in Thinking – Systems Thinking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NCpdLKhY04
 Whole Systems Thinking --Antioch University Seattle Center for Creative Change http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26-tNhHfo0Y

Other technologies or resources that are used

 None/NA

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Systems Thinking (including discussion of Continuous Improvement Plan)

RESOURCES
Footnotes / Research:
 Bridges, Tunnels, and School Reform: It’s the System, Stupid
Thomas F. Kelly. Phi Delta Kappa International, Inc
http://www.pdkmembers.org/members_online/publications/Archive/pdf/k0710kel.pdf

 Effective Schools: Learning for All (Optional Reading)

Lawrence W. Lezotte (a version of this paper was published in The Educational Forum, Vol. 30, No. 3 (Spring1996), pp. 238-244.
Kappa Delta Pi, Lafayette, IN)
https://50.28.48.199/~effectiv/staging/images/stories/learningforall.pdf

 Systems Thinking: A Model for Considering Component Interactions (Senge, 1990).

 Systems Thinking Model: A Framework for Implementation: Linking Components-Systems Thinking (Gemberling, K.W. & Smith, C.W. &
Villani, J.S., 2000).
 Systems Thinking Model-Example: Linking Components in Systems Thinking (Gemberling, K.W. & Smith, C.W. & Villani, J.S., 2000).
 Schools that learn: A fifth discipline field book for educators, parents, and everyone who cares about education (Senge, 2000, pp.13-
17).
References:
 Senge, P. (1990). The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization . New York: Doubleday/Currency.
 Gemberling, K.W. & Smith, C.W. & Villani, J.S., (2000). The key work of school boards, Alexandria, VA: National School Boards
Association.
 Senge, P. (2000). Schools that learn: A fifth discipline field book for educators, parents, and everyone who cares about education . New
York: Doubleday.
 Kelly, T. (2007). Bridges, tunnels, and school reform: It’s the system, stupid. Phi Delta Kappan, Oct. pp.151-152.
 The House is a System. (2012). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3_t8-QIuJg
 Other General Resources: These are items available through ASU for this Workshop (do not repeat items from materials section)
 KBAD (Know and Being Able to Do) for this workshop
 Instructional Leadership: Core Components & Key Processes (if workshop is connected to VAL-ED)
 ISLLC Standards Rubric (if workshop is connected to ISLLC Standards).
Content Experts: Diane Garner, Brad Jamison

Presentation
Management Considerations, Notes, etc
Management Notes:
 Directions / Notes relevant to each individual PowerPoint slide are listed in the PowerPoints notes section
 Ask the superintendent in advance to prepare a welcome and remarks regarding WHY this workshop is important for participants.
 Check with the superintendent in advance to see if s/he prefers to use established district administrative team norms.
 Typically, each segment of the workshop begins with a slide entitled “Segment Guiding Questions”
 Closure for each segment and/or the end of the workshop should be adjusted/adapted to the facilitators style

Notes to Inform Pacing/Adjusting Lesson (FACILITATORS: After studying this workshop, you may make additions to these items)
 .
Follow-up Strategies
Systems Thinking Segment 1
 Use the article/reading to engage the principal in deeper learning or clarifications. Discuss how to apply the concepts in his/her school, and/or
how the ideas inform the action plan.
 Based on the principal’s level of expertise, choose one of the books used as a resource for the workshop and recommend that specific book as
a book study. You may want to select one or two chapters and/or specific pieces of texts for follow-up dialogue with the principal.
 Use the reflection and discussion questions with participants to reinforce the application and successful implementation of concepts.
The items presented here provide a start; facilitators and coaches are encouraged to provide additional and/or modified questions.
Individual Reflection Questions for Coaching (reflecting on workshop concepts, understandings, options, or application)
 Can you think of ONE initiative from the past that may have failed due to lack of systems thinking? WHY did it fail?
 If you could go back and “re-do” that initiative, how would you change the implementation as a result of the workshop learning?
 What new structures will you put into practice to ensure components of your school’s system work more effectively together?

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Systems Thinking (including discussion of Continuous Improvement Plan)

 How will the concept of the Systems Thinking Approach change your approach to problem-solving in your district or school?
 What new structures and/or new mental models need to be developed to ensure components of your priority initiative can be
implemented effectively?
 How might the conversation of the “Domino Effect” impact your school leadership team reaction to events/issues?

Group Discussion Questions for Online Forum (sharing what he/she is “doing” in his/her school)
 Share how have you have developed your District or School Leadership Team’s understanding of Systems Thinking?
 How has system thinking changed communication in your district or school?
 Talk about how you have used the concept of “mental models” and/or “existing structures” to uncover potential components of events.
 Share how have you trained your District or School Leadership Team to apply the Systems Thinking Approach?
 Describe how implementing the Systems Thinking Approach has impacted curriculum, assessment, and instruction discussions in your
school.
 Describe how implementing the Systems Thinking Approach has impacted student achievement, school culture, or other outcomes.
 Describe a recent event and how your improved understanding of systems thinking impacted your decisions.

Systems Thinking: Segment 2 - People in a System Thinking Approach

 Use the article/reading to engage the principal in deeper learning or clarifications. Discuss how to apply the concepts in his/her school, and/or
how the ideas inform the action plan.
 Based on the principal’s level of expertise, choose one of the books used as a resource for the workshop and recommend that specific book as
a book study. You may want to select one or two chapters and/or specific pieces of texts for follow-up dialogue with the principal.
 Use the reflection and discussion questions with participants to reinforce the application and successful implementation of concepts.
The items presented here provide a start; facilitators and coaches are encouraged to provide additional and/or modified questions.
Individual Reflection Questions for Coaching (reflecting on workshop concepts, understandings, options, or application)
 How has a lack of systems thinking impacted people involved in new initiative in your district and/or school?
 Given your top priority initiative, how can you use the relationships between people to help gain “buy-in” and/or disseminate information?
 How will your knowledge of the Systems Thinking Approach inform your strategies for the next new initiative in your district or school?
 How does considering “People in a Systems Thinking Approach” influence your strategies for implementing new structures and/or new
mental models to ensure components of the system work more effectively together?
Group Discussion Questions for Online Forum (sharing what he/she is “doing” in his/her school)
 Share how have you trained your District or School Leadership Team to apply the Systems Thinking Approach to managing people
involved in the system?
 Describe how implementing the Systems Thinking Approach has impacted consideration of school structure and individual mental
models?
 How has system thinking changed inter-personal or one-on-one communication in your district or school?

System Thinking: Segment 3 – Examining your Continuous Improvement Plan

 Use the article/reading to engage the principal in deeper learning or clarifications. Discuss how to apply the concepts in his/her school, and/or
how the ideas inform the action plan.
 Based on the principal’s level of expertise, choose one of the books used as a resource for the workshop and recommend that specific book as
a book study. You may want to select one or two chapters and/or specific pieces of texts for follow-up dialogue with the principal.
 Use the reflection and discussion questions with participants to reinforce the application and successful implementation of concepts.
The items presented here provide a start; facilitators and coaches are encouraged to provide additional and/or modified questions.
Individual Reflection Questions for Coaching (reflecting on workshop concepts, understandings, options, or application)
 How has a lack of systems thinking impacted people involved in new initiative in your district and/or school?
 Given your top priority initiative, how can you use the relationships between people to help gain “buy-in” and/or disseminate information?
 How will your knowledge of the Systems Thinking Approach inform your strategies for the next new initiative in your district or school?
 How does considering “People in a Systems Thinking Approach” influence your strategies for implementing new structures and/or new
mental models to ensure components of the system work more effectively together?
Group Discussion Questions for Online Forum (sharing what he/she is “doing” in his/her school)
 Share how have you trained your District or School Leadership Team to apply the Systems Thinking Approach to managing people
involved in the system?
 Describe how implementing the Systems Thinking Approach has impacted consideration of school structure and individual mental
models?
 How has system thinking changed inter-personal or one-on-one communication in your district or school?

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