Aristeia Leadership: A Catalyst for the i2 Flex Methodology

Year 2015, Volume: 10 Issue: 1 - Volume 10, Issue 1, 2015, 13 - 23, 19.05.2016

Stefanos Gialamas Maria D. Avgerinou

Abstract

In response to the global educational reform we have developed a new education paradigm, the Global Morfosis paradigm which has been implemented at the American Community Schools of Athens (ACS Athens) Greece for the past decade. This dynamic paradigm consists of three inseparable, interconnected, and interrelated components: the Educational Philosophy of Morfosis (Μορφωση), the i2Flex Delivery Methodology, and the Aristeia (Αριστεια) Leadership Approach. Morfosis is defined within the 21 century framework, as a holistic, meaningful, and harmonious educational experience, guided by ethos (Gialamas, 2014). The vehicle to implement Morfosis, is the i2Flex (isquareFlex), a non-traditional learning methodology that draws on the fundamentals of blended learning, and integrates face-to-face and technology-supported instruction with faculty-guided and independent student learning, aiming at developing higher order cognitive skills within a flexible and inspiring learning design (Avgerinou, 2104). The Aristeia Leadership approach is defined by its two essential components (a) the establishment of an Authentic Leadership Identity (ALI), and (b) the creation of a Collective LeadershipPartnership Approach (CPA) (Gialamas, Pelonis, & Medeiros, 2014)

Keywords

Aristeia leadership, iFlex, global morfosis, blended learning, K12

References

• Anderson, L. W., & Krathwohl, D. R. (Eds.). (2001). A taxonomy for learning, teaching and assessing: A revision of Bloom's Taxonomy of educational objectives. New York: Longman.
• Avgerinou, M.D. (2014, March 19). i2Flex. The New York Times International & Kathimerini. Available online at http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite6_1_19/03/2014_538303
• Avgerinou, M.D. (2013, Winter). Digital natives, disruptive schooling and other brainteasers. Ethos, 8-11.
• Avgerinou, M.D., Gialamas, S., & Tsoukia, L. (2014). i2Flex: The meeting point of web-based education and innovative leadership in a K-12 international school setting. In D.G. Sampson, D. Ifenthaler, J.M. Spector, & P. Isaias (Eds.). Digital systems for open access to formal and informal learning (pp. 329-344). New York: Springer.
• Bellanca, J., & Brandt, R. (Eds.). (2010). 21st century skills: Rethinking how students learn. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
• Business-Higher Education Forum. (2005). A commitment to America’s future: Responding to the crisis in mathematics & science education. Washington, D.C.: Business-Higher Education Forum.
• Christensen, Cl., Horn, M. B., & Johnson, C.W. (2011). Disrupting class: How disruptive innovation will change the way the world learns. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
• Clayton Christensen Institute (2011). The rise of K-12 blended learning: Profiles of emerging models. Retrieved November 11, 2013, from
• http://www.christenseninstitute.org/?publications=the-rise-of-k-12-blended-learning-profiles-of- emerging-models
• Davis, N., Roblyer, M. D., Charania, A., Ferdig, R., Harms, C., Compton, L. K. L., et al. (2007). Illustrating the “virtual” in virtual schooling: Challenges and strategies for creating real tools to prepare virtual teachers. Internet and Higher Education, 10(1), 27-39.
• Dede, C. (2010). Comparing frameworks for 21 century skills. In J. Bellanca & R. Brandt (Eds.) st 21st century skills: Rethinking how students learn (pp. 51-75). Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
• Gialamas, S. (2014, May 8). Educational institutions for a more humanistic world. The New York Times International & Kathimerini. Available online at http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite6_1_08/05/2014_539551
• Gialamas, S. (2012). Educational institutions: Preparing young people to serve humanity. International Schools Journal, XXXII(1), 66-70.
• Gialamas, S. (2011, October 13). college environments. International Herald Tribune. Available at Leadership collaboration: High school and http://www.acs.gr/publications/2011/10/13/leadership-collaboration-high-school-and-college-environment.html
• Gialamas, S., & Pelonis, P. (2009). Morphosis leadership being visionaries in a changing world. Academic Leadership Online, 7(2). Available at http://www.academicleadership.org/327/morphosis-leadershipbeing-visionaries-in-a- changing-world/
• Gialamas, S., Pelonis, P., & Medeiros, S. (2014). Metamorphosis: A collaborative leadership model to promote educational change. International Journal of Progressive Education, 10(1), 73-83.
• Hopper, J., & Seaman, J. (2011). Transforming schools for the 21st century. Retrieved November 6, 203 from
• http://www.designshare.com/index.php/articles/transforming-schools-for-the-21st-century/
• Mishra, P., & Koehler, M.J. (2006). Technological pedagogical content knowledge: A new framework for teacher knowledge. Teachers College Record, 108(6), 1017-1054.
• National Leadership Council for Liberal Education and America’s Promise. (2007). College learning for the new global century. Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities.
• North Central Regional Educational Laboratory & the Metiri Group. (2003). enGauge 21st century skills: Literacy in the digital age. Chicago: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory.
• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2005). The definition and selection of key competencies: Executive summary. Paris
• Partnership for 21st Century Skills (2011). Framework for 21st century learning. Retrieved May 10, 2014 from http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/1.__p21_framework_2-pager.pdf
• Partnership for 21 Century Skills (2009). Framework for 21 century learning. Retrieved st st November 7, 2013 from http://www.p21.org/about-us/p21-framework
• Partnership for 21st Century Skills (2006, July). A state leaders action guide to 21st century skills: A new vision for education. Tuscon, AZ.
• Pelonis, P., & Gialamas, S. (2010). An international perspective of academic leadership. International Schools Journal, XXX(1), 72-85.
• Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives; Digital immigrants. Retrieved November 11, 2013, from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20- %20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
• Quality Matters® Rubric (2011-2013). Maryland Online.
• Rice, J.K. (2012). Review of “The costs of online learning.” Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. Retrieved June 1, 2013, from http://nepc.colorado.edu/thinktank/review- cost-of-online/
• Shulman, L. S. (1987). Knowledge and teaching: Foundations of the new reform. Harvard Educational Review, 57(1), 1-22.
• Shulman, L. S. (1986). Those who understand: Knowledge growth in teaching. Educational Researcher, 15(2), 4- 31.
• Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., & Rapp, C. (2010). Keeping pace with K-12 online learning: An annual review of state-level policy and practice. Vienna, VA: North American Council for Online Learning. Retrieved from http://www.kpk12.com/wp- content/uploads/KeepingPaceK12_2010.pdf