What's My Why?

question mark floating above a person thinking .jpg

(Wix, 2024)

Part A

Why: We believe in transforming the online learning experience by making it more engaging and interactive, fostering deeper understanding and active participation among students.

How: We achieve this by leveraging Adobe Captivate, an e-learning authoring tool, to enhance our course materials with interactive videos, knowledge check slides, and mini quizzes, while also efficiently repurposing existing learning materials.

What: We enable students to become active participants in their learning journey, leading to increased motivation, immediate application of knowledge, and improved information retention over time.

Part B

In Kotter’s videos, the Heart of Change and Leading Change: Establish a Sense of Urgency, the emphasis is on the emotional aspect of change management. It’s about creating a compelling vision that speaks to the hearts of stakeholders, not just their minds. This is where the Why statement comes into play.

Why: We believe in transforming the online learning experience by making it more engaging and interactive, fostering deeper understanding and active participation among students.

This statement speaks to the heart by emphasizing our belief in transformation and engagement. It creates a sense of urgency by highlighting the need for a shift from traditional learning methods to a more interactive and engaging approach. This belief stems from our understanding that the traditional methods of learning are becoming less effective in the digital age. We see a future where learning is not a passive process, but an active engagement that stimulates the mind and encourages critical thinking. Our vision is to create a learning environment that is not only informative but also inspiring and exciting. We want to ignite a passion for learning in every student and believe that this transformation is not just necessary, but inevitable.

The How statement outlines the method we will use to achieve our Why. It provides a clear and concrete plan, which can help to reduce uncertainty and resistance among stakeholders. Our approach goes beyond just using advanced tools. We are committed to creating content that is relevant, engaging, and tailored to the needs of our students. We believe in the power of storytelling and use it to make our courses more relatable and memorable. We also understand the importance of feedback in the learning process, so we incorporate regular check-ins and assessments to track progress and identify areas for improvement. Moreover, we value the existing learning materials and aim to repurpose them in a way that they align with our new approach, ensuring a smooth transition and efficient use of resources.

What: We enable students to become active participants in their learning journey, leading to increased motivation, immediate application of knowledge, and improved information retention over time.

The What statement describes the expected outcome of our efforts. It paints a picture of the future where students are not just passive recipients of information, but active participants in their learning journey. This can help to create a sense of excitement and anticipation among stakeholders. We envision a future where students are not just absorbing information, but questioning, analyzing, and applying it. This active involvement leads to increased motivation as students see the relevance and impact of their learning. It also encourages immediate application of knowledge, reinforcing learning and enhancing retention. Over time, this approach not only improves the learning experience but also builds essential skills like critical thinking and problem-solving.

To lower complacency, it’s crucial to communicate the urgency of the change and the risks of not changing. This can be done by highlighting the limitations of the current learning methods, such as passive learning, lack of engagement, and low retention rates. We also need to emphasize the benefits of the proposed approach, like improved understanding, higher engagement, and better retention. Regular updates on the progress and successes of the change initiative can also help to maintain momentum and keep complacency at bay.

Lastly, the Why, How, and What statements, when combined with a reflection on their potential to speak to the heart and create a sense of urgency, can be a powerful tool in driving change and reducing complacency. They provide a clear and compelling vision that can motivate stakeholders to embrace the change and actively participate in the transformation process. By focusing on the emotional aspect of change management, we can inspire action and ensure a successful transition to the new learning approach.

Resources:

Kotter, J. (2011, March 23). John Kotter - the heart of change. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=1NKti9MyAAw

Kotter, J. (2013, August 15). Leading change: Establish a sense of urgency. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=2Yfrj2Y9IlI

TEDx Talks. (2009, September 29). Start with why -- how great leaders inspire action | Simon Sinek | tedxpugetsound.

YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA