Internet Exercises

Read the article "Kurt Lewin's Change Theory in the Field and in the Classroom: Notes Toward a Model of Managed Learning" by Edgar H. Schein on the following site:

http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=6&tid=6106 and then do the following:

1.	Prepare a one-page executive summary of the article, and come to class prepared to discuss it.
2.	Explain Lewin's dictum "There is nothing so practical as a good theory" in a context you are familiar with. According to Schein, what are the attributes of a good theory of change, and how does Lewin's basic change model fit the bill?
3.	Explain what the author means by "...learning and change start with some form of dissatisfaction or frustration." What does the author mean by "disconfirming information"? Is it sufficient to cause motivation to change?
4.	Describe how Schein proposes to reconcile the conflicting needs of individuals and teams. What are its implications in managing and rewarding individuals on a team?
5.	What possible difficulties are associated with role models and consultants? Why might benchmarking not be effective? How will you address these challenges?
6.	What is meant by personal and relational refreezing? Explain how to attain these in a context you are familiar with.

(This article is also available from Reflections: The SoL Journal, Volume 1, Number 1, 1 August 1999, pp. 5974(16), Society of Organizational Learning.)