It is appropriate that "ACT" is the acronym for the Academy for Creative Teaching - the "new" organization supporting the Winter conferences, since the initiative has been specifically developed to be ACTion oriented, (with particular emphasis on empowerment of students). I look forward at future conferences to learning of comparative research findings on the effectiveness of many creative methodologies that are obviously "out there," versus traditional teaching/learning practices. Thanks to everybody who made Lucerne 1998 so enjoyable - hoping to see you all there next year!
Dr. Barra Ó Cinneide, University of Limerick, Ireland. Member, WACRA® Advisory Board.
Immersed within the 1910 'art deco' ambiance of Hotel Montana, overlooking Lake Lucerne, more than 40 educators and administrators convened for a multiple day January conference to share ideas of Creative Teaching. Organized by ACT - The Academy for Creative Teaching and WACRA® - The World Association for Case Method Research and Application, this interdisciplinary cadre of conferees from nine countries participated in presentations and interactive sessions. Collaborative designing, partnered plenary periods, concurrent workshops and papers offered a myriad of opportunities to share creativity in practice and to validate the essential role of creativity in the learning process. In addition to the rigorous daily scheduled professional agenda, conference delegates were invited to learn more about their Swiss environs through 'tour led Old Town walks' and cultural visits as well as informal meanderings through historic Lucerne or brief train trips to nearby cities. Since Switzerland is a country of four national languages and cultures, the conference participants were provided with a wide choice of delicious cuisine and generous meals. Whether fondue in a tucked away cafe on a cobblestoned street or salmon ravioli in a upscale restaurant on the edge of Lake Lucerne or a quick snack of hot chestnuts from a corner street vendor (all, of course, followed by some world renowned Swiss chocolate), all tastes were satisfied. Furthermore, the professional and social opportunities encouraged collegial networking. By the end of the conference, new partnerships for future research were established, new career possibilities were discussed, and new email and fax addresses were exchanged. Although the formal conference schedule was finished, other ventures were just beginning. This conference on Creative Teaching was a catalyst for creative collaboration crossing state, national and continental boundaries. Undisputably, the goals of the first ACT Conference were met; but, in addition, the positive side effects of this well organized conference were established: the seeds of creative collaboration for the next ACT conference. Auf Wiedersehen until 1999! I know I shall return.
Dr. Patricia Ann Brock is Professor at Raritan Valley College, NJ.
Es mag wie ein Spiel aussehen. Aber es ist - Zukunft!
(It may just look like a game. But it's the future!)
Our session set the tone for the conference by beginning with an interactive exercise, a group juggle. Although we noticed participants laughing and obviously enjoying the exercise, their reflections and responses, following, told us they saw long-term implications and applications for this interactive game. Several noted learning a new skill requires concentration, focus and often team effort. Others stated they trusted the facilitators to asked of them only what they might accomplish, emphasizing the importance of trust as part of the teaching learning experience. As a result, the participants not only found the game an ice breaker and catalyst for reflection on teaching and learning, more than one conference presenter modified their upcoming presentations to include more student-teacher interaction. In other words, these participants, creative teachers themselves, rediscovered aspects of their own learning processes that are transferable to their teaching and platform skills.
Besonders sein - nur eine Frage von Gelegenheiten?
(Being special - a question of opportunity?)
For many participants and presenters in attendance at Lucerne, it was their first international conference. Like others before them, the newcomers were special people who respond to opportunity. These individuals took the opportunity to attend and then braved participation in interactive sessions where they risked with other strangers the courage to become completely involved. Any of them could have declined to participate in our group juggling exercise. None did. Instead, as learners they opened themselves to new material and the opportunity to learn in the moment. This was evidenced by their remarks, later, when many told us: "Outstanding! Your presentation was just what we needed,it was fun,it caused me to think, I'm glad you addressed the importance of philosophy,it needed to be included, etc., etc., etc." These comments made it easy to feel and think we were indeed very special. Yet, we knew the attention and warm welcome we received was truly a question of opportunity, theirs as well as ours. As we continued to observe the participant reactions, we confirmed what we previously suspected that the interactive teaching/learning case we demonstrated has broad application not just for us, it has application across disciplines and cultures. By submitting our idea to this international group of business leaders, educators, and scholars, we had seized an opportunity for ourselves while creating new opportunities for those receptive to our sharing. Perhaps, a question of opportunity is both being special and aware of opportunity.
Höhe, Der Weg zu sich selbst.
Aming high. The Path to self-understanding (picture of a mountain)
The conference was not all work and no play. The conference planners skillfully planned our activities, including educational tours, a relaxing trip along Lake Lucerne and the opportunity to aim high on the top of Mount Pilatus. There 7,000 feet above the city of Lucerne, we could spot landmarks below as we drank in the magnificence of the Ural Mountains to the north, Austria to the east, the Italian Alps to the south, and France to the west. We took pictures to testify to our presence there and like James Bond, we too could brave the elements and danger at the summit. Later in the conference we would see Mt. Pilatus (aiming high) as a metaphor for our last team-building exercise.
Ist Grösse eine Idee oder nur eine Verstandnishilfe?
(Is size an idea or just an aid to understanding?)
No need to puzzle over this question when looking at the Alps. We know from their height and magnificence, that size is important and more than an idea. According to our facilitator, Dieter, size is both an idea and an aid to understanding. He demonstrated this in our closing plenary session by having us form groups to build towers from newsprint and masking tape. Throughout the exercise, Dieter kept urging us to build higher. While emphasizing the importance of building the tallest tower, he also challenged us to stop working, to break in order to look at ourselves, look at our work, and look at our world. When time was called he continued to accentuate the importance of size, saying: "tallest is best," noting that in the real world, "measurement is always important to who loses, not who wins." Some in the group kept calling for his twin, questioning the emphasis on size (did the rules really say the highest wins?). No matter, the exercise was over and showed how often we see only from our own perspective, rather than looking at size as an idea or aid to understanding our world better.
Abend: Das?Ende des Tages - oder das Beste daran.
(Evening: the end of the day - or best part of it.)
It is hard to choose between evening as the end of the day or the best part, particularly, in Lucerne, the city of lights. There the dawn looks much like the evening. So, too, it is hard to say what was the best part of the conference. All of it was the best part, the setting, the people, the exchange of ideas, and spirit of growth. Being with so many creative, sharing and risk-taking individuals is an inspiring experience in itself, particularly, when those attending gathered together to share their commitment to teaching excellence. The conference gave us food for thought, inspiring reflections and ideas to implement and test back home. As we reflect on all of our experiences we will be planning for next time and looking forward to connecting with our new colleagues. In the meantime, our thanks and deepest appreciation to those who made the conference possible! And, Aughvetersien, [Auf Wiedersehen] that is, until we see you in Marseille!
Dr. Eugenia Scott, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana
