Educating a Generation: It's Not Complicated—It's Deeply Complex

Drawing from my recent keynote at the Pulse 2024 the Global Learning Space Network conference in Hyderabad, this post explores how schools can shift from solo to team-based teaching models. By combining innovative spaces with a supportive culture, we can empower teachers to meet the complexities of today’s educational landscape.

Imagine if educating students had a one-size-fits-all rulebook; it would simplify many challenges. Yet, schools, like families, operate in complexity—not the realm of the complicated. During my keynote at Pulse 2024, Global Learning Spaces Network conference, I highlighted this critical distinction: while a complicated system can be broken down into separate, fixable parts, complexity operates within interdependence where each part impacts the whole.

The solo-teacher model—one teacher, one class, one subject—is a relic of simpler times. Today, as society becomes more interconnected, teaching must reflect that shift. Many industries now rely on team-based work, harnessing collective intelligence and shared cognition. Similarly, education needs to embrace this interdependence, especially within teaching teams.

One headteacher we visited during The Learning Future Vision Tour put it succinctly:

“Teaching is too complex to do it alone.”

While innovative pedagogies can thrive in a traditional, solo classroom, co-teaching in purposefully designed spaces can truly foster diverse, effective learning approaches. In my own research, positive co-teaching experiences showed a strong sense of 'samepageness' and shared purpose, which fostered collaboration and supported diverse learning needs.

However, without adequate support for this shift, even well-designed spaces can default to old habits. To fully leverage new spaces, school leaders need to focus on the human side of innovation. Here are three essential steps:

1. Vision and Leadership: Clear goals from leadership set a foundation for collaborative teaching practices.
2. Culture of Support: Transitioning to team-based teaching requires cultural change and support, helping teachers embrace a collaborative mindset.
3. Time and Resources: Schools that allocate time and resources for teacher collaboration—even after construction is complete—see more sustainable changes in teaching practices.

Schools that have successfully embraced co-teaching allocate ongoing support for team-based work. This approach not only builds confidence but also ensures teachers fully integrate new methods, and many of them find greater satisfaction in their roles.

As we design new learning spaces, let’s remember: it's not just about walls or flexible spaces. It’s about empowering teachers to navigate complexity and embrace a team-based model that mirrors the world students will one day enter.

What would it take for your school to go beyond new spaces and fully embrace a team-based teaching culture?

Curious about what’s possible? Let’s connect and explore how we can bring a collaborative teaching culture to life in your school. Together, we can re-imagine schools that genuinely support teachers and students in a complex, interconnected world.