Planning by Futuring, Futuring as Planning

Developing effective policy for the use of social media in schools is at once challenging and equally necessary. For one thing its use pervades our society in ways few could have futured for. For another, its presence, its potential, its pitfalls, require a collective leadership to use the right kinds of processes to properly create and sustain. Planning by Futuring; Futuring as Planning: Using Your Futures Mindset to Develop Social Media Policy in Schools, provides practicing educational leaders and those who aspire to be administrators with all of the tools necessary to engage their stakeholders in co-creating policy guidelines that will assure successful implementation.More importantly, its case study style enables readers to discern the necessary themes, theory and concepts that nurture futures - based mindsets. These mindsets-dispositions-skills will enable leaders to anticipate and plan for any emerging future that may come their way. And most importantly their mastery will co-empower collective leaders to create futures that are preferred instead of imposed.

Why should we care about futuring; especially in education? Dr. Richard Bernato clearly guides the reader along a journey to assist us to understand that educators need to understand the systemic process for thinking about, picturing outcomes and planning for the future. When Dr. Bernato weaves his themes into understanding a collective purpose, transforming high engagement, social media and the futuring practices and dispositions; you will then begin to realize that he is the gold standard of leaders who actively view the present world as a window to creating potential future results.--Michael Hynes, Superintendent of Schools. Port Washington New York, author, adjunct professor spokes person, TED presenter, Dr. Bernato has synthesized two powerful forces in the development of educational organizations: futuring and social media. Dr. Bernato, an expert on the concept of futuring, has clearly articulated the process of futuring and its ability to transform schools. He takes it a step further in its application to what has become inevitable to schools - effective and meaningful social media policy. Using powerful anecdotes and practical examples, Dr. Bernato has once again written a book that will influence change in schooling.--Anthony Annunziato, EdD, Associate Professor of Leadership, St. John's University, International Consultant, former Superintendent of Schools, Most organizations will take Social Media on as it comes in waves, good or bad, and likely be unprepared for whatever may be. Dr. Bernato's capacity and ability to convey the importance of futuring in many areas of education shines in this book showing readers how to create and sustain a preferable future by outlining a well thought out strategy and plan around Social Media policy. Most importantly, he stresses the value of having conversations around the issues that surround social media as well as coming to a consensus on policy for the greater good. His work here is an essential read for anyone who wants to be prepared for the impact of Social Media on education.--Al Pisano, EdD, Neoteric Thought Leader, Speaker, Author, Educator, Entrepreneur, Futurist

Richard Bernato’s over fifty years of experience and innovative contributions to all levels of education include simulation design and curriculum development, and creative leadership initiatives. He is especially committed to school restructuring by embedding a futures -based change leadership model into twenty first century needs best exemplified by his 2017 book of the same name.