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Thomas Kuhn (1922-1996) was the Harvard University graduate and assistant professor who in 1962 coined the term, “Paradigm Shift” to describe conceptual changes in scientific advancements.
In 1986, M.L. Handa introduced the idea of "social paradigm" to the world to describe broad shifts in social situations and institutions, including educational environments. With this model, changes in experiences, values, and belief systems are evidenced.
Weltanschauung describes a “dominant paradigm,” and refers to a society’s standard systems and processes of thought; and the society’s core cultural values.
Although “change is the inevitable constant™,” 21st Century humans and other species experiencing a change may struggle when taken out of their normal comfort zones, despite having a relative understanding of the potential benefits attached to the change.
Leaders of change, or “change agents,” are typically given the responsibility and expectation to usher in sustainable change that may be necessary in order to secure realized improvement or progress in a situation, experience, institution, or societal culture.
Thoughtful provisions can be made to normalize the change as much as possible by the change agent in an effort to help those experiencing the change avoid melting down, shutting down, or rebelling during the change process.
While the provisions made tend to provide some comfort and relief to those being changed; the process of change may still cause temporary breakdowns in communication and composure.
Recognizing and accepting that these responses to change are common and normal helps reduce the amount and type of stress experienced by those being changed, and by the change agents.
Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc. This 23-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog. View Sharon's other published works at http://www.examiner.com/.
Contact Sharon directly for more information: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org
"Children are the globe's most precious commodity."
(Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009)
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