Recruit volunteer implementers first to generate small wins, models, and critical mass for change¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

To expand a solution beyond initial adopters, the article describes recruiting and implementing with volunteers first so they generate tangible benefits, provide models, and build critical mass and social pressure for change. Participants described "recruiting and implementing with volunteers first to generate tangible benefits, provide models, and build critical mass and social pressure for change", for example presenting a Socratic Circles toolkit to voluntarily interested teachers before wider rollout.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Volunteers must be willing to invest planning and preparation time and perceive likely success and greater benefits to students

Constraints¶

• The article cautions that those who volunteer first may not be the ones who would most benefit from implementing the solution

Target Learners¶

• Teachers expanding a new practice across classrooms and schools

Target Learning Goals¶

• Sustaining and spreading solutions such as Socratic Circles and compact writing assignments

Related Strategies¶

• Build trust early through quick wins and visible responsiveness to feedback, using a tiered rollout to grow champions
• Demonstrate solution benefits through participant perspectives, direct experience, and foregrounded student voice
• Volunteer-first faculty recruitment with modeling of good practice rather than top-down mandates

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Viki M. Young, Ph.D. and Alexandra Merritt Johnson, Ph.D. (2024). Sustainability in Inclusive Innovation: District-Community Solutions, Mindsets, and Practices. Digital Promise, Center for Inclusive Innovation. https://digitalpromise.dspacedirect.org/items/94695da1-ad96-49e5-b461-b759d617ae25