Making stone soup: Working together for the advancement of learning and teaching

It is not possible for any of us to do our jobs well without collaboration. Yet specialization abounds, but we all have a shared goal: to advance learning and teaching. How are we to balance these two seemingly conflicting characteristics in our workplace? The answer is not technical but rooted in what it means to a part of a holistic group. Working together towards a shared goals is a whole lot like making stone soup. Do you know the story of stone soup? A man comes into a village, sets up a little fire, puts a pot of water on the file, and adds a stone to the water. Curious people come by, and they ask, What are you doing? He says, I’m making stone soup, but I think it needs a bit of flavoring. Wanting to participate, people begin to add their own things to the soup: carrots, celery, onions, salt, a beef bone, etc. Working together for the advancement of learning & teaching is a lot like making stone soup. Everybody contributes a little something, and the result is nourishing meal for all. This presentation elaborates upon these ideas and suggests things to do to make them happen.