6 month anniversary edition: ASU+GSV summit, new beginnings & right-size context

Thanks for being here

Hey everyone, hope you’re having a wonder-full week

I’m sending you sun from San Diego. ☀️

It’s the third and final day of ASU+GSV—a summit designed to “connect leading minds focused on transforming society and business around learning and work.”

It’s also the last day of Write of Passage—the online writing course I’ve been supporting as a mentor for the past five weeks.

Today also marks the 26th edition of this newsletter. Its six month anniversary.

It seems serendipitous, and I’m feeling deeply grateful for everything the past six months have brought.

Source: Twitter

Up until a few weeks ago, I’d never have guessed I’d be spending time in California with some of the people I admire most in my industry. Not to mention learning about Web3 from people at the forefront of its integration with education.

💌 I’m only beginning to process all of this, so stay tuned for updates on these exciting “new beginnings”.

Now, here are 3 gems I want to share with you:

An experience to inspire: ASU+GSV Summit

“Where else would you get this many people who care about education together in one place?”

A friend summed up the ASU+GSV summit with that simple question.

Source: ASU+GSV site

Online courses and remote work are effective and convenient. They give me the flexibility I dreamed of for most of my 20s. But strolling around San Diego, eating fish tacos, and having rooftop drinks with peers, clients, and mentors has reminded me how much faster you can get to know people in person.

Spending unstructured, quality time together is something I’ve missed during the pandemic, and something I’m grateful to be able to do again.

💞 Challenge: How can you spend more time in person with peers, clients, mentors, and students?

A resource to consider: Right-size context

A common teaching mistake is giving too much context. When you do this, students feel overwhelmed and struggle to take action.

Here's how to give "right-size context":

1. Figure out what people need to be able to do versus what they can do.

2. Find the quickest way for them to bridge that gap.

3. Share actionable steps with just enough context for them to execute.

Source: Google images

📘 Challenge: Reflect on how you can create prompts that minimize context and maximize action so students can learn through experience.

A question to ponder: New beginnings

The beauty of finishing projects is the joy of new beginnings.

Whenever I get nervous about a new beginning, I think about my first morning in Paris. In 2018, I moved there not knowing anyone, and didn’t know what to expect. So I was as nervous as I was excited.

I took the photo below during a stroll through the 3rd arrondissement to remind myself of the magic of following our intuition. The contrast of the 1897 engraving and the building’s immaculate exterior serves as a reminder that strong foundations are built to last.

So as long as we lean into new beginnings with everything we’ve got, we’re sure to build remarkable stories.

Wandering through Le Marais during my first morning as a Parisian

💭 Question: What new beginnings are you making space for?

A gesture to consider: Donating to Ukrainians

Here are some causes you can support (though I recommend doing your own research):

🏥 Ukrainian Red Cross​ (You can become a monthly donor like I have)

🪖 Come Back Alive​

🚸 Voices of Children​

May we continue to support Ukrainians until they’re peacefully home. 💙💛

Thanks for reading my 26th newsletter

We’re now 125 people within this vibrant community. And my goal is to nurture the art of reflection amongst us.

I’d love your feedback on how I can make future editions beneficial. So if you have an idea or burning question I could address, hit reply and we’re off.

Have a wonder-full week,

Alexandra

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