Happy New Year! We face the future of schooling with more optimism than with pessimism. As I go into schools I see change and innovative practice. Sure, its too often one-off but they are beacons of learning to all of us. In particular, I see more staff passionate about their work and a willingness to commit to ongoing learning as a community of learners. This is the engine room of change and diverse models of schooling.
It was Malcolm Gladwell who said that it takes 10,000 hours of (deliberate) practice to become an expert at something. While I’m not declaring myself to be an expert, bluyonder has been part of my professional practice now for more than a decade.
When the first post was published back in May 2007, blogs were still part of the ‘Web 2.0’ world. Today, social media is embedded in our daily lives and I believe that the influence of artificial machine learning and predictive analytics will be massive. If used in the way it is intended, AI will provide an extraordinary opportunity to finally emancipate teachers from the mundane processes of the industrial model of schooling.
Thirteen years ago, a cohort of learners began their formal schooling journey. Today, those students are graduates of the system and now embarking on new pathways that will hopefully lead to fulfilling lives and careers. So after 13 years in this space and 600 posts, I’ve decided to retire bluyonder. It’s time to look at new and different platforms for sharing ideas and crafting the new narrative for schooling in today’s world. I’ll continue to share my keynote presentations here for the time being but feel free to come back and re-read past blogs.
As I’ve often written, bluyonder has provided me with a forum for expressing thoughts openly, thinking critically and connecting with those who are as passionate about the work as I am. While I’ve received my fair share of criticism, there’s also been commendation. And if bluyonder has contributed in some small way to moving the educational agenda forward, then it’s been well worth it.
We stand together at the start of a new decade, cognisant that conversations must be on the new relationships between teachers and learners, between learners and the process through which each one grows in competence and wisdom and between what happens in school and outside of it. There are many forces seeking to control the agenda but the essential contributors and change-makers are our teachers, students and the learning communities of which they are a part.
As a former English/History teacher, it’s probably poignant to close with a video clip from a film I have referred to in many keynotes and blog posts. So as this door closes, I say thank you for your contribution to bluyonder and for continuing to stand up and challenge the status quo on behalf of young learners everywhere.
bluyonder.wordpress.com 
Will miss bluyonder reminding if I don’t stand for something I’ll fall for anything; your inspired ‘something’ an inspiration. Tks.
Thank you Anna.
Greg, how can you retire Bluyonder??? Regularly sharing your thoughts and wonderings on an easily accessible online platform has greatly enabled the everyday punter to engage with, and learn from, a significant educational leader…who is consistently “challenging the normal”. It additionally provides a fantastic historical narrative from which others can continually review, reflect and learn from. Please continue to regularly share (and archive) your thinking/wonderings (if not via blogging technologies)…they are too powerful not to be heard, learnt from…and challenged. Lastly thank you….13 years and 600 posts….a huge effort and commitment to transforming learning in today’s world. Cheers Paul
Thank you Paul for your reflections. It’s written for people like you.
thank you Greg for your insights and challenges about leanirng . I hadn’t realised it was qute so long…time does really fly why you are having fun! I look forward your new ” incarnation”
Hello Greg, Thanks for all the posts over so many years. I’ve found each a valuable read. Perhaps you’ll find another medium for sharing your thoughts with us. Loved the concluding video-clip. Best wishes. Liz
Thanks for the years of inspiration Greg. Hope you will continue to express your ideas publicly. I for one will be reading or listening. Kind regards Michelle
Nothing lasts forever. However, your thinking shared via this blog will endure for quite some time to come. Thanks for making such a great effort over a long period of time. Those in CEDP will continue to hear your words. Hopefully another medium can assist with your thoughts being shared with online networks.
Onwards and Upwards towards transformation!
Regards
Greg M
Thank you Greg for Bluyonder. I subscribed to your mailing list in 2014, after seeing you speak at edutech Brisbane. I’ve always enjoyed reading your ideas and have been regularly inspired by your ongoing encouragement to continue developing my teaching practice. A voice like yours has been a great benefit to me, especially when balancing out the white noise from so many others who think it’s easy to have an opinion on education. Thank you.
Chris, I appreciate your comments and the fact you’ve been following the blog since 2014. There are many voices calling for a transformation in schooling – hope yours is one of them. All the best in your teaching career.