Transformational Education:Transformational Education:Advancing the MSUE MissionAdvancing the MSUE Mission

October 2003October 2003Margaret A. BethelMargaret A. Bethel

Director, MSU ExtensionDirector, MSU Extension 

Bringing Knowledge to Life!Bringing Knowledge to Life!

Bringing Knowledge to Life!Bringing Knowledge to Life!

Mission StatementMission Statement

Michigan State University Extension helps Michigan State University Extension helps

people improve their lives through an people improve their lives through an

educational process that applies knowledge to educational process that applies knowledge to

critical issues, needs, and opportunities.critical issues, needs, and opportunities.educational processeducational process

CONTENT

RELATIONSHIP

Scholarship of Discovery, Integration,

Application of Knowledge

low

high

InformationInformation

FacilitationFacilitation Transformational Transformational EducationEducation

Content Content TransmissionTransmission

high

PR

OC

ES

S

Educational ProcessesEducational Processes

Adapted from Merrill Ewart Model, Process and Content

Transformational Learning:Transformational Learning:

Community Leadership Development““Leading” to Community ChangeLeading” to Community Change

COMMUNICATION!!

Problem Articulation

Concept Formation

Gathering Resources

Experimentation/Testing

Problem Solving

CONTENT

RELATIONSHIP

Scholarship of Discovery,Integration,

Application of Knowledge

low

high

InformationInformation

FacilitationFacilitation Transformational Transformational EducationEducation

Content Content TransmissionTransmission

high

PR

OC

ES

S

Educational ProcessesEducational Processes

A continuous process of A continuous process of knowledge discovery,knowledge discovery,integration, application and reflection. The integration, application and reflection. The goal is not to accumulate more knowledge goal is not to accumulate more knowledge but to expand of the capacity to produce but to expand of the capacity to produce the desired results by applying knowledge. the desired results by applying knowledge. M. Bethel, 2003M. Bethel, 2003

Bringing Knowledge to Life!Bringing Knowledge to Life!

Transformational Learning:Transformational Learning:

____________________________

____________________________

_______________

Questions & Experimentation

Human Resources

Facilitation Resources

Learning Resources

Shared FutureShared Future

Actualized VisionActualized Vision

LeadershipLeadership

Transformational Education ProcessTransformational Education Process

Strong bonds between and among learners.

Refine the questions, develop the process, which is iterative in nature.

Learn a little, build a little, test a little.

Develop new questions.

Incremental victories and payoffs.

SCHOLARSHIP IN EXTENSIONSCHOLARSHIP IN EXTENSION

Hierarchical

Expert Model

Helping Systems

Win/Lose

Professional Development

Developmental, Critical Thinking

Dedicated to Outcomes

Learning and Discovery Processes

Creating New Futures

Professional and Personal Development

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Old Learning / Old Learning / New Learning / New Learning / Leadership Leadership

Models Models LeadershipLeadership ModelsModels

Embracing the LearningEmbracing the Learning / Leadership Model / Leadership Model

Shared FutureShared Future

Actualized VisionActualized Vision

LeadershipLeadership

BUILDING LEADERS WHO CAN PRODUCE CHANGE!BUILDING LEADERS WHO CAN PRODUCE CHANGE!

“…“…in the next century we will have to in the next century we will have to become much more skilled at creating become much more skilled at creating leaders. Without enough leaders, the vision, leaders. Without enough leaders, the vision, communication, and empowerment that are communication, and empowerment that are at the at the heart of transformationheart of transformation will simply not will simply not happen well enough or fast enough to satisfy happen well enough or fast enough to satisfy our needs and expectations.”our needs and expectations.”

On Transformational Leadership:On Transformational Leadership:

John Kotter, Leading Change

Effective Extension Effective Extension Transformational Leaders:Transformational Leaders:

• Be skilled in facilitation.• Create opportunities for each group member to

make contributions.• Have access to diverse networks of knowledge,

research, and human resources.• Treat learners as equals; group members are

differentiated by individual responsibilities and types of contributions to the group’s learning.

Bringing Knowledge to Life!Bringing Knowledge to Life!

• Question existing assumptions and values. • Venture beyond existing blinders and comfort zone.• Move from fear to courage and optimism. • Move from conformity to reformation.• Move from making a living to making a difference. • Move from self-interest to community / global concerns. • Move from competition to cooperation. • Move from individualism to collective efforts.

Extension as Transformational Extension as Transformational CommunityCommunity Leaders: Leaders:

Adapted from: “Transformative Learning and Counselor Education”, 2002Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D

Self Test for Self Test for Transformational LeadersTransformational Leaders

• Articulate a clear, powerful, transformational agenda.

• Are highly effective at gaining the agreement and commitment of other people.

• Are teachers who facilitate the learning of others to implement a larger transformation and shared vision.

• Create a critical mass of leadership around a vision by skillfully nurturing the growth and development of other leaders.

• Learn about themselves and new content as they carry out their transformational work.

• Have stamina, endurance and fortitude and realize the journey never truly ends. “A Call for Transformational Leadership: Essay and

Leadership Self Assessment”, Gary Stokes

Transformational leaders

So, what is the Director’s vision forSo, what is the Director’s vision fortransformational education transformational education

and leadership in MSU Extension?and leadership in MSU Extension?• All Extension staff members have educational initiatives represented

by program conducted at the transformational level.

• All Extension staff members will possess and utilize a blend of content and facilitation skills that enhances their ability to be effective transformational leaders.

• Extension councils are made up of transformational leaders who emerge from our program efforts and will develop a vision for community transformation that drives the content of strong Extension programs.

• Our AoEs are learning teams, working at the transformational level in program development, discovery, invention and reflection to engage communities across the state in change and transformation.

MSU Extension Creates Community MSU Extension Creates Community Mosaics of Transformational LeadersMosaics of Transformational Leaders

Bring leadership together in communities around common values.Bring leadership together in communities around common values.

Youth

Agricultural Producers

Volunteers

Business Leaders

Civic Leaders

Agencies and Schools

Families

WE CAN!WE CAN!

Go Out and BeGo Out and BeBRILLIANT!!!BRILLIANT!!!