At the Global Emerging Educational Leader Summit Valerie Hannon made a statement about re-thinks schools as a ‘basecamp’. It’s easy to make metaphors for education but because of my experience as an Alpine Guide this metaphor not only made sense but grew as a vivid vision in my mind. So as usual I threw it out to the metaverse so seek support:

My Tweet to the metaverse

It obviously made sense to more than me because very quickly it rippled through the metaverse being retweeted by @Steve_Collis, @myleejoseph, @skullstuffing, @teachercolin and @heyjudeonline. Between us we have 6378 follows who we share the message with.

So what happens at a Basecamp that is relevant to what a school could look like:

Leaders are selected by their peers because of their ability to lead the group (emotionally, physically and inflectionally) and have nothing to do with total time spent at 5000m above sea level. Everyone is a leader in something (a recurring theme in all the videos), without the acceptance of the distributed concept of leadership basecamp will never survive.

The risks are real, but it’s the authenticity and achieve-ability that makes the challenge worthwhile. Each member at basecamp chooses their own level of adventure based on their skills, needs and wants. No one is forced into an adventure they are not ready or willing but everyone wants to take on an adventure that is just beyond their reach.

There are lots of sandpit areas to develop skills in an authentic environment complete with real world risks, which prepare climbers for the push to the main peak. These are not sudo-experiences, or even modified but totally authentic and carry the same risks as a real alpine event. All supported by feedback which is personal, instant and relevant to the individual and the environment.

There are experts and generalists, the role of experts is to develop the skills of everyone, but they cannot do their job without the generalists (experts do not get paid any more than generalists). The experts are experts but acknowledge the total knowledge of the group, it is not egotistical, nor can it afford to be. The line between learners and trainers is almost indistinguishable, everyone is learning together.

There is an abundance of technology that they alpine climbers can access when they need it, the technology is selected to make the less achievable more achievable. No one carries anything they don’t need. Technology supports the expedition not the expedition supports the technology.

A main-peak attempt is the product of considerable research, preparation and training. It occurs only when the alpine team is ready and the weather is right, until that time they stay at basecamp preparing for the accent. It is normal to make several unsuccessful attempts, but always return to the supportive environment of a basecamp.

The climbing team picks their peak based on their skill, fitness and experience. They move at the teams pace the Alpine guides and Sherpa’s are only there to help the climbing team achieve their dream.

What actually needs rethinking:

“But talk is cheap and taking action is expensive” so what action do we need to take, what exactly needs rethinking?

• Industrial relations
• Leadership structures
• Human resources
• School hours
• Curricula
• Intellectual property
• Learning spaces
• Internet filters
• Student and teacher roles