Session 5 - Levels of Functioning
| Site: | Wintec Learning |
| Course: | Invitational Education (eLearning Example) |
| Book: | Session 5 - Levels of Functioning |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Wednesday, 10 June 2026, 8:48 AM |
Description
Now we have identified the 'things' that can be inviting or dis-inviting, we are going to investigate the levels of "invitation-ality" (pardon the coined word) at which people can function.
Purkey mentions that while individuals may display practices and behaviours that span the four levels of functioning, it is the level at which an individual typically functions that determines their approach to life and their ultimate success in personal and professional living.
The levels you'll discover, provide a check system to monitor each of the Five Ps and that reflect invitational theory in action.
Activity 5.1 - Four Levels
There are four levels that Purkey discussed that have developed over the years. Please don't be too confused if you are reading some of the earlier material (i.e. the earlier issues of the Journal) and you see a slightly different list of these levels.
The latest version* lists the following levels - described as "The Ladder"
- Intentionally Disinviting
- Unintentionally Dinsinviting
- Unintentionally Inviting
- Intentionally Inviting
Can you see the logic in this?
Click the icon to download the reading for this session.
The reading is an extract from Purkey & Novak (1996, p. 55-60). If you have access to the actual book you can use that.
Complete the following task by recording your answers in your blog.
Briefly summarise the main characteristics of each level:
- Level One:
- Level Two:
- Level Three:
- Level Four:
*Reference:
Shaw, Siegel & Schoenlein (2013). The basic tenents of invitational theory and practice: An invitational glossary. Journal of Invitational Theory and Practice, 19. (30-42)
Activity 5.2 - Typical Levels of Functioning
Look at the cartoon and think about the questions below.
- What is happening here?
- What does this cartoon say about education?
- How does this cartoon apply to what you have learned about invitational education?
- What level of functioning is this?
It is important to remember that all of us function at each level from time to time. However, it is the level at which we typically function that determines our approach to life and our success in personal and professional life.
Think about the following questions and record the answers in your blog.
- Can you think of times when you have functioned at each of the four levels?
- Can you think of times when others have functioned at each of the four levels in their interactions with you?
- At which level are you typically functioning, in your personal life and in your professional life?
This is the end of Session 5. Click to go to Session 6.