C44 (Challenge): Performing a SWOT Analysis

Welcome to the fifth and final transdisciplinary challenge! 

This transdisciplinary challenge has been a journey, which has stretched our thinking in new ways.  As we go into this last challenge, we will evaluate the transdisciplinarity of our practice.  Just like our cake, we want to ensure that all of the pieces are there to make a cohesive, rich product that we can share with our school and world community. 

Evaluating Transdisciplinarity

​Every process becomes better when we regularly evaluate its effectiveness and areas of growth.  Through continual feedback, we are able to see clearly the path towards the next steps.  This has always been the goal of assessment.  Now, we will apply this to your transdisciplinary program of inquiry. 

Your Task

​In this week’s challenge, you will perform a SWOB Analysis to examine the effectiveness of transdisciplinary learning at your campus.  This process emerged from the business sector to examine the effectiveness of an organization in sales, market share, and productivity.  Since education is our business and our niche is transdisciplinary learning, I found it only fitting that we should apply the SWOB analysis to our final process.  Here’s what the SWOB examines: 

• Strengths - what do you do well? 
• Weaknesses - where do you need to improve?
• Opportunities - what are your goals? 
• Barriers - what obstacles do you face? 

The value of the SWOB analysis is being honest, because this is the only way we can mark true growth.  This is an opportunity for you and your school to own your truth and find ways to make improvements. I speak about my own school as well, because no person or place is perfect. 

I hope you enjoy this process and I hope you post your ideas on Twitter @thinkchat2020 or LinkedIn at Lu Gerlach.  

Remember, we create our own meaning from learning, so there is no one right answer.  Have fun with it and I can’t wait to see what you create!