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Picture this, an iceberg as a metaphor for describing the university in the process of adopting a new teaching paradigm. On the top of the iceberg, visible above the surface, we find the innovators and early adopters with a clear overview of the new horizons, pointing out the new directions and having the courage to cling to the top even in times when a cold wind is blowing and it is difficult to hold on. Still the sun is shining on them from time to time as the good examples. Beneath the surface we often find the main part of the teaching community at the university. Down here many educators are striving with their continuing work with teaching, research and many other tasks. Sometimes they might have the experience of being overburdened by work, keeping them down, and they raise their eyes to take a look at the innovators and early adaptors up there in the fresh air and in the sunshine. What could it be like up there? Maybe I should try to go up there after all? See what it is like. Even if those thoughts occur, it often seems difficult for many educators to actually make this move. Why is it so? What reasons are preventing this movement? Is it not better up there in the sun? Are the storms blowing not easier to handle if everyone is helping and moving forward in the same direction? Would it not be easier to create high-quality study programs for the students based on progression and coherence in their educational journey if everyone is navigating after the same principles, sharing the same view over the ocean?
If we really should find the best strategies to lift the whole iceberg above the surface in order to help everyone getting up at the same level, sailing together towards the same destinations, it is important to analyze and act upon the different rationales in the organization which has an impact on the individual educators and on the organizational development processes. What can we do? As educators who like to adopt new teaching methods? As developers trying to motivate a paradigm shift? As someone responsible for an education program or as someone responsible for a whole university working on adopting new ways and methods in teaching? What strategies can we use individually and as an organization?