Change Game Post

During our third class meeting, we played a game called "The Change Game." We worked as a team to try to figure out the best strategies to implement change. Our team acutally got farther than the other teams, so that was good, but it wasn't easy. Some of the main things I learned from the change game were: 1. Change takes a great deal of time. 2. We had to talk to a variety of people to get them on board. 3. We had to talk to some people two and three times before they bought into what we were trying to "sell". 4. No matter how much you talk to some folks, they won't ever see things from your point of view. 5. It is important to talk to the most influential people first. 6. Sometimes people will surprise you with their willingness to help, so you shouldn't rule out anyone. 7. You must get prior approval (speak with administrators) before conducting workshops, staff development, etc. 8. Anything that makes more work for teachers is not going to go over well, so you have to be careful how you present the information. 9. If you pester the wrong folks too much, you will get on their nerves! 10. Change can happen, over time, if you are persistent, get enough people on board (and get the right people), and if your plan is well thought out. 11. Change takes a LOT of work, and a good bit of time. It was approximately 2 years (in the game) before we made any real progress. Even then, our plan wasn't complete. 12. Advocating for change is worth it because it benefits everyone, especially the students.