Conversation #2

After conversation #2, we took ideas that groups added to THESE SLIDES and we asked ChatGPT to synthesize them.

1. Agency & Empowerment

• Co-created Curriculum and Courses: Encourage collaboration between students and educators, like-minded schools, as well as schools and universities (e.g. international schools design courses together; bring students and teachers together to create course proposals in think tanks so students can be heard and be a part of the curriculum design; design courses with universities).

• Transformed Educational Structures: Create mixed age groupings, rethink grading systems, and get rid of rigid schedules to foster environments that cater to individual learning styles and pacing (e.g. 3-hour project blocks per day at Avenues and Innovation Academy; get rid of grades; examples of flexible schedules; more student self-assessment).

• Self-directed Growth: Design formal and semi-formal curricula where learners are supported individually by mentors or guides who help facilitate pathways (e.g. can we keep 10-50% of the course catalogue student driven; education to help students to ‘figure themselves out’; mentor for each student to build a negotiated individual learning programme for the 2 - 3 yrs).

• Flexible Graduation Requirements: Move away from traditional graduation requirements towards portfolio and skills-based assessments that consider personal growth and achievements (e.g. track learning on a continua over longer periods of time as opposed to snapshot assessments; exit requirements connected to key skills that students show in a portfolio; post graduation year in design thinking; teacher mentor for each student to build a negotiated individual learning programme for the 2 - 3 yrs).

2. Meaningful Learning Experiences

• Project-based Learning (PBL) and Problem Solving: Engage students in projects like the GIN Project focusing on local environmental issues or collaboration with industries for problem-solving, making learning relevant and impactful (e.g. superunits: all student-led and students solve problems based on school core values; the Diamond Challenge through the University of Delaware - students work in project teams around entrepreneurship and pitch it - where kids get to work in teams around the world is motivating for them)

• Interdisciplinary and Experiential Learning: Encourage learning experiences that are hands-on and connect theoretical knowledge to real-world applications, including extended apprenticeships, internships, and working outdoors (e.g. organizations present a problem that students help solve; design learning around concepts and big ideas rather than subjects and make real-life connections; student design teams working with industries & problem solving WITH them).

• Interest-based Curriculum and Micro-credentials: Allow students to curate their curriculum that validates their unique competencies, experiences, and passions (e.g. Frankfurt International has a component where kids learn something new that they want to learn and they connect it to key skills/competencies). 

• Connection to Nature & Self: Integrate authentic connections to nature and self as core elements of education programs, aiming for sustainability and regeneration (e.g. move towards regeneration rather than just sustainability; nature as a board member). 

3. Wellbeing & Inclusion

• Support for Neurodiversity: Design pathways that cater to students with neurodiverse needs, ensuring inclusivity and support for all learners (e.g. rethink how we group students and teachers and provide more individualized mentorship; utilize more strengths-based assessments). 

• SEL as a Foundation: Prioritize SEL and wellbeing in the educational core (e.g. build the foundation of school around SEL rather than academic subject groups; find a way to explore character as a driver for student growth; students learn together around a shared purpose rather than in isolation as a way to build belonging and psychological safety; more focus on community building and activities that bring joy).

• Flexibility and Personalized Support: Implement flexible timetables and create mentorship models where teachers support individual students' learning journeys, tailoring education to each learner's needs (e.g. find ways to connect students in different places that empower them to advocate for themselves).