That just about sums up how I am feeling at the moment with the second wave of the pandemic in process in many of our home and adopted countries as we return to school after the break. Rather than trying to guess what might happen next, I’ve decided I’m going to (re)focus on the learning – be that online, on-campus or a blend of both.

In reflecting on how AISA may best do this, I found myself revisiting the questions Peter Senge raises in his book The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization where he identifies several elements.

1. Do we collaborate (Systems Thinking)?
2. Does each of us strive to be the best he or she can be (Personal Mastery)?
3. Do we know who we are, where we are going and how we will get there (Building a Shared Vision)?
4. Are we synergistic (Team Learning)?
5. Do we examine our own perceptions (Mental Models)?

I was struck by how apt these remain even with teaching and learning happening in such varied circumstances in 2021. It would be easy to say we are all learning organisations because we provide and support various learning opportunities.  But is that enough?  Is schooling (even virtual schooling) the same as learning? As Mary Joseph Tomaselli puts it: “Calendars of events, classes, and training programs do not make an organization a learning organization any more than wearing a cape and tights makes one Superman”.

As we start a new year still navigating the turbulent ocean that is COVID 19, AISA pledges to renew our efforts as a learning organisation. We also pledge to support you in your learning so you can better support student learning in your classrooms or online, or wherever you may find yourself. With that in mind I invite you to check out our learning opportunities on the AISA website for the rest of this year.

Take Care and Stay Connected.

Dr Peter Bateman
AISA Executive Director

Peter M. Senge, The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization. 1994, Currency Doubleday, NY, NY 10036.